Wow, I cannot believe an umpire said that...

[Bandit]

I have pretty must given up my summer ball umpiring because of my daughter and son's schedule. I heard something this week-end that simply AMAZED me. USSSA. 10 & Under. Asked the umpire between innings if he would be so kind as to ask that the opposing teams pitcher make sure that when she steps onto the rubber that her hands were seperated. Did not want a penalty. Did not want to make a scene. Simply made a quiet request. Then I heard 2 things. #1 Coach I'm not going to worry about that....their only 10 year olds. I smiled and walked away after simply saying "thank-you". And before I could return to the dugout he followed me and said coach....."I don't follow all of the rules in the book for this age group...if I did it would make for a really lousy game." Has any one else found a need to NOT follow the rules book because it can create a really "lousy" game. Just wondering?

PS this is only one of several things I was "taught" this week-end!