ASA Nationals

[EdJW]

What happened with the confiscated bats after the tournament. If the bats are defective, the players/parents could return them to Easton for replacement. Or is the tournament returning the bats en masse for replacement?

[Skahtboi]

I don't believe the bats are "defective," per se, but this is more of a case of the nature of the beast. If this is the bat that I think it is, over time and with use, small cracks start to develop around where the barrel of the bat is joined with the handle. I removed a few this year during playoffs.

[Skahtboi]

Wow. This thread has been thoroughly hijacked.

[IN ASA BLUE]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

Wow. This thread has been thoroughly hijacked.

I was thinking the same thing....

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

Wow. This thread has been thoroughly hijacked.

Really?

What did you wanna talk about? Scores? How little suzie did?

This is about umpire stuff @ nationals.

[DaveASA/FED]

The bats are returned to the owners after they are eliminated or win the tournament. They are on their own to get their money back, or a new bat.

[SRW]

It's 10am Monday and I'm waking up from about 12 hours of sleep after having been the umpire coordinator for the Girls' 18-U "A" Fast Pitch Western National.

I was exhausted. Still am, but that's the lack of a cup of coffee (which is brewing as I type.)

We pulled the white/purple eastons as well. Fractures near the handle/barrel. We actually had one separate in the game. Bad juju.

Overall, had a good time. Love this years' coin. Many memories. And good shrimp/clam boil!

[SRW]

PS:
This is the bat we were having issues with. Early reports from OKC was that over 25 of them were pulled from the Gold on Sunday alone.

[DaveASA/FED]

Ya we pulled a bunch of those same bats from the 18U A in Moline. TD said he had 35-40 of them upstairs. Had a few of the black stealths where the barrel moved relative to the handle adn those got tossed too. Had a dad that was NOT happy about that bat he just paid $350 for getting taken, UIC and asst UIC's had fun with him!!

[qcumpire]

Originally Posted by DaveASA/FED

Ya we pulled a bunch of those same bats from the 18U A in Moline. TD said he had 35-40 of them upstairs. Had a few of the black stealths where the barrel moved relative to the handle adn those got tossed too. Had a dad that was NOT happy about that bat he just paid $350 for getting taken, UIC and asst UIC's had fun with him!!

I took three out from one team in one game. There's a definite design of manufacturing flaw at Easton.

By the way Dave, did it take you less time to drive home than it did to complet the two plate games you did Thursday and Friday?

[Chess Ref]

I was in Vegas. 10 and 12's B. I had a nice solid week as an umpire and only lost about $75 playing poker all week .I made it a personal POE to work on nipping it in the bud when dealing with coaches. And I did.

Had one in the dugout start *****ing on the 3rd pitch of the game. I did the line up card stroll and handled it nicely and professionally. Not another peep.

Had one pitcher start off the first inng by throwing low. Fans really on me about not calling it . She walked in a couple of runs. I wouldn't give the below the knee strike.
After that inning, everything came up,and that team may have walked one more batter. Me thinks they were just playing me in the first and hoping for that strike....

Got to work with several very good umpires. My games were really mundane. All week I had one on field conversation with a coach,he said I missed the call, a banger at first, and wanted to get a second opinion.

I did get to do the Championship game. So i considered that my second biggest game I've done. A sort of ASA coming out party if you will.

I made my drive home in 7.5 hours with only one bathroom break so I should get some kinda trucker award for that.

[DaveASA/FED]

Originally Posted by qcumpire

By the way Dave, did it take you less time to drive home than it did to complet the two plate games you did Thursday and Friday?

O real funny....ok I laughed To let everyone else in on the joke, my last two plate games of the tournament (combined) went 5 hours 20 minutes there were 35 runs scored and we played 13 1/2 innings, yes thats right 1 went 6 1/2 the other 7, so no extra inning games just a couple of long drawn out lot of scoring games. You know I just wanted to get good and warm in that plate gear!! No wonder those were my last plate games huh? Worked bases Saturday and Sunday, old Wild Bill wasnt taking a chance on me putting the games behind

Back to OP about experience at Nationals this year:
I think I was on the diamond for the only official protest of the tournament. Short version, F3 fielding a dribbler down 1st base line, it hits the heal of her glove and goes about 2 feet to her left as she is reaching for the ball BR contacts her right foot and spins her she had her hand on the ball when the contact was made, so in our judgement she still had the chance at an out (actually went ahead and threw it and did get the out if it would have continued on)....but we called the INT and sent runner back to 1st...SO what did he protest? He protested our interpertation of the INT rule, he said after F3 contacted the ball and it went away from her there was no longer a chance of INT per the rule. Well we all know that is false, heck even if another fielder has a chance at an out on a muffed ball you can have an out for INT. BUT that was what he protested, well needless to say protest went in our favor and we got back to playing. Other than that and the above listed marathon plate games it was a smooth tournament. One of the best group of umpires I have ever had the honor of working with and it showed with the way the games went. And I have not been to Bloomington, IN for a national yet (even though I am an Indiana guy) but I have to say the two Illinois Nationals I have been to they treat umpires VERY well, I would not hestitate to go to another over there if I am granted the assignment!!

[bkbjones]

Originally Posted by DaveASA/FED

UIC and asst UIC's had fun with him!!

What? Wild Bill had FUN? Hope you emnjoyed him as much as we always do. We're lucky in many regards to have both Malcolm and Wild Bill on hand.

BTW, how was the fight?????

[DaveASA/FED]

Originally Posted by bkbjones

What? Wild Bill had FUN? Hope you emnjoyed him as much as we always do. We're lucky in many regards to have both Malcolm and Wild Bill on hand.

BTW, how was the fight?????

Ya this is the second time I have had the chance to work for Wild Bill, last year at Normal/Bloomington ILL also, and it was also a fun time. He has a great way of approaching things that goes along with my style so it really makes me personally feel comfortable about working for him. Good advice given in a constructive way which is very much appreciated.

Now what fight are you talking about?

And MAN do I wish I was getting paid by the pitch on those games. Long counts on most batters, then they hit the ball, lots of base runners, and as I said tons of runs scored....but NOT for the same team so we couldn't get a run rule out of it....kept them out of extra innings but still couldn't drive the bus smooth!!

[Andy]

Originally Posted by bkbjones

What? Wild Bill had FUN? Hope you emnjoyed him as much as we always do. We're lucky in many regards to have both Malcolm and Wild Bill on hand.

BTW, how was the fight?????

Wild Bill is our UIC for the Men's C Nationals coming up at the end of the month...I'm looking forward to meeting him and working for him.

I've heard a lot of stories.......