The state of the game.

[Skahtboi]

I know that I shouldn't let this bother me, but somehow, it does. Last night I was working a 4A HS game between a team that is undefeated in district play, and a team that is in its first year of play. The undefeated team has lots of depth, including three very capable pitchers, but the coach of this team decided to pitch her ace. I thought that this was a little overkill, because team B couldn't keep pace with her number three pitcher. But, that isn't my call. I was the BU, and hadn't been in the field with either of these teams this season. Anyway, right off the bat, I notice that Team A's pitcher is lifting the pivot and replanting, not the typical crow hop, but more of a step to gain advantage. Of course I call "illegal," and the coach of team A comes out and asks what her pitcher did. I told her. The game goes on. About five pitches later, I again see the illegal action, and call it. To make a long story short, this happened a few more times, me calling it every time.

After the game, I was talking to the husband of the coach of Team A, who I have known for some time, and asked him when Team A's pitcher had developed this "bad habit." He told me that his wife was coaching all of her pitchers to do this, to see what they could get away with, and that I was the only one who had called so far this season. He also told me that his wife had gotten the idea from her college days, where her coach taught the pitchers to gain an advantage until they were called for it, and the runners to leave early until they were called for it. To me, it is sad to know that there are "professionals," even folks who I otherwise hold in high esteem, who are coaching players to cheat.

Thanks for letting me vent.