Crazy World

[oppool]

Just a little ranting...Sorta.....Did a couple FP rec games last night lower levels and after each game losing teams coaches whine and cry how we umps lost them the games also took a pitch right in the throat(THAT HURTS) anyway on the way home and most of the day today I am kinda thinking I am calling too much and have had about enough of this BS. Then tonight I get a 10u league championship games consist of two team that our very good and play in alot of tournaments and what a GREAT game it was finish 6 inning in time limit score tied 2-2 Home team wins it in 8 inning 3-2. No problems from either side the whole game and it was a total pleasure just to call the game even though it took 2hrs to finish.

Kinda of a point I am making is that I have found out in SP and FP that there is alot less BS from player, coaches and fans at the better level ball. It seems at lower levels there is always one of not more that have no clue that think part of the game is to see how hard of time they can gave the BLUES. I think they watch too much TV!!

Anyway off my soapbox for now and everything seems back in kilter


Thanks for listening

Don

[kono]

Don -

I feel your pain. In Little League, I have found the same thing. The better coached teams give me less grief about everything.

I had a game a couple of weeks ago (I probably mentioned it) where I wound up tossing an assistant coach. They were whining and complaining about everything from my strike zone (I had it from nose to mid-shin and they wanted it to be bigger) to every close play. The assistant coach left after telling his girls that I had a vendetta against them. The thing that really torqued me off about that game was they missed 4 (yes, I said four) opportunities to appeal runners that missed home plate.

Go figure.

-Kono

[alabamabluezebra]

I know what you mean Don. One of the leagues in our town is a notorious whining league. There are a number of umpires that won't even call there due to the whining fans. I chuckle each time a coach or parent complains about pitches 6-8" inside or outside not being called a strike. Do they really believe that any umpire prefers calling "balls" over "strikes"? One of the parents always yells out "that's a travesty" on any called "strikes" when their team is batting. I am so tempted to call a "strike" on a pitch a couple of feet over the batter's head, turn to the parent and say "now that's a travesty, sir". My better sense keeps me from making such a call. One of the parents has been banned from coaching in two different leagues in town and sits by the fence when his daughter pitches. He has a 11 year old lookalike son that sits next to him during the game. The sad part is the boy mimicks his father throughout the game. He uses every one liner in the book. This league used to be the biggest league in town but has shrunk due to their large attrition rate. A large number of girls switch to the slow pitch church league or quit playing softball due to the negative nature surrounding the league.

[kono]

Originally posted by kono
The better coached teams give me less grief about everything.

Actually, I should probably modify this statement. The team that I wrote (typed??) about above is a team with some talent and a coach who appears to know the game, but hasn't been very successful in transferring that knowledge.

I have a team in my league where the coach is absolutely clueless. The only thing I get from him is questions. He is trying to coach his girls by learning (in a limited fashion - he has a book, but I doubt that he has opened it) the rules. It isn't working very well - he needs to go watch some quality games somewhere.

I was almost in stitches the other night with this coach - his team on the field, runners on 2nd and 3rd. Batter draws a walk. Runner from 3rd slowly trots to home as everyone watches. Finally when she is about 3 feet from the plate, he asks me "What is SHE doing??" As she steps on the plate, I turn to him and reply "Stealing home." Coach to himself, then to his team - "Oh my God. GIRLS, COME ON GIRLS!! PAY ATTENTION!!"

-Kono

[Dakota]

Actually, I find the opposite is true.

In the rec leagues, some of the coaches are clueless, true, but nearly everyone (parents included) are exemplary good sports. They are there to have fun playing softball.

In travel ball, the really good teams are also a pleasure to work. When the coaches complain, it is usually founded in a knowledge of the game, and not just mindless whining.

However, the one-notch-below the really good teams can be the worst. These teams are almost good enough to beat the top teams on a good day. The parents and coaches are highly competitive types who are wanting in the worst way to beat the top teams. So, they take it out on the umpires.

Also, there is a community who has a reputation for having whining, complaining coaches for all of there teams (rec and travel), and the reputation is deserved.

[SamNVa]

Don,

If you don't already have one, I would STRONGLY SUGGEST that you add a dangling throat protector to your mask. Those throat shots can be a lot worse than just painful.

SamC

[AlabamaBlue]

Which league are you talking about? I don't think I've run into this guy yet, but it's only a matter of time I'm sure.

[greymule]

I've found what Dakota says to be true. I never have a problem in the girls' rec leagues or with the good travel teams. The trouble most often comes from the serious teams that aren't up to the caliber of the good ones. I've also noticed that such teams usually have an overabundance of coaches--five, six, seven guys in coach shirts, all trying to insinuate themselves into the game.

[Skahtboi]

I am in the camp that finds rec leagues to be far more problematic from an umpire's perspective. In high school and with travel ball, many coaches actually have a grip on the rules (at least the basic ones) and the roles/relationship of coaches/umpires. In many rec leagues, coaches have no concept of the rules of the game, and often try to rule on the field via intimidation of both their players and the officials. It is a weak attempt to hide their lack of mechanical and rules knowledge. (At least, that is my take on it.)

For example, this year during the high school season I had 56 regular season games, 4 tournaments, and 4 post season assignments. I warned one coach, once, at a tournament near the end of February. No ejections...nothing else.

After working two nights of rec ball, I had already amassed a whopping 8 warnings of coaches/players, and two ejections, both of which were literally asked for by the person getting ejected. (One resulted in the person being suspended from the ballpark for the remainder of the season.) This was after two nights, or 6 rec league games. It is ridiculous how these "un-enlightened" folk can be.

Scott

[bluezebra]

About 10 years ago I was PU at a LL Majors Softball game. The FIRST game I ever worked that league. The manager was aproblem before the game started. I called on of his players out on a 3rd strike right down the middle. He hollers from the 3B coach's box, "Don't take it out on the girls because you hate me". It must have been from a previous incarnation, because I had NEVER seen him before that game. I sent him so far from the field, I'm not sure he got back in time for his next game. I never saw him again.

Bob