Rules on hitter center?

[mcrowder]

Dirk - most of the fouls you are talking about are the same fouls I ignore in most youth games (especially the under 10 games). Too many in the huddle? (Or actually, illegal sub) If we called this every time, the game would never end. The rule says the substituted player must leave "immediately", but in youth ball, that word is stretched a lot. And if the extra kids did not disrupt the play (ie, they were running off and didn't affect either A) the actual play or B) the defensive formation), I'm not calling it either.

Clipping? You actually saw clipping? I've called HS ball for a while and have yet to actually call clipping (it was called ONCE by R in a game I was in). I now assume you really meant a block in the back. I'm right with you there. I call that at youth if I see it - it's a safety issue. (If it was minor, and far from the play, it might get ignored ... but my standard there is no different at 7-8 as it is at varsity - it's gotta be VERY minor to not get a flag).

Their enforcements? Well... that sucks - sorry to hear they are employing guys that don't at least know the proper enforcements.

Our jobs at youth ball are different from our jobs at varsity. At V, you expect ALL of the kids not to break the rules, and you enforce much more strictly. At youth, our jobs are to make sure the games are officiated FAIRLY, and to limit injury-causing fouls where possible (and often - to help the coach get the kids in line. Can't tell you how many times I've leaned over my shoulder and said, "Coach - you've got 4 guys in the neutral zone", and then not called it when the play started.)