LL Baseball Umpires . . .

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by SE Minnestoa Re

I thought the ump that stopped play the other night to bring the catcher over to his coach for a "teachable moment" was great. These kids are 12 and 13 and acting up over ball and strike calls is not appropriate. The umpire set the record straight on who was in charge.

If softball umpires did this, games would take 4 hours and half that time would be spent talking to the coaches about their players.

Next question is who do we talk to about the coaches?

[teebob21]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

If softball umpires did this, games would take 4 hours and half that time would be spent talking to the coaches about their players.

Next question is who do we talk to about the coaches?

Irish - not sure if the first line in your comment was completely tongue-in-cheek...or not. If so...ignore the following. I didn't see the LL game mentioned above, and I don't work LLBB, but I understand the pervasive "sportsmanship first" and "all about the kids" ethos of LL, especially at their pinnacle event. They are 12-13 year old boys, after all. How smart were all of us at 13?

I don't know if you work a ton of 10U/12U/14U softball (and bless you if you do), but at that level in international showcase championship play, wouldn't you approach a coach if possible about a player grumbling too much about balls and strikes? I mean, we can always address it with the big hook later...

(For additional context, I ejected an 11-year-old girl this year for MC on a crash play at the plate, so I'm not opposed to handling things ourselves...)

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by teebob21

Irish - not sure if the first line in your comment was completely tongue-in-cheek...or not. If so...ignore the following. I didn't see the LL game mentioned above, and I don't work LLBB, but I understand the pervasive "sportsmanship first" and "all about the kids" ethos of LL, especially at their pinnacle event. They are 12-13 year old boys, after all. How smart were all of us at 13?

I must have been pretty smart since that was the year I realized I would be a better umpire than player There is no doubt I was right about that.

I don't know if you work a ton of 10U/12U/14U softball (and bless you if you do), but at that level in international showcase championship play, wouldn't you approach a coach if possible about a player grumbling too much about balls and strikes?

I would inform that coach they s/he may need a new (enter position) if the banter continues. I am not walking the player to the coach and spending 30-45 seconds explaining the unsportsmanlike conduct encountered.

I mean, we can always address it with the big hook later...

Not from me. I refuse to play into their (coach/player) game and will not put on a show. When I eject someone, the only way anyone other than the player, coach or scorekeeper know is if one of them announces it. I once tossed a player and my partner didn't realize if until 2 inning later.

[teebob21]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

I must have been pretty smart since that was the year I realized I would be a better umpire than player There is no doubt I was right about that.

Touche.

Also I meant "this" hook...not a giant EJ mechanic for 12 year olds: