Only in Middle School Ball

[ASA/NYSSOBLUE]

Originally Posted by RKBUmp

I got called to fill in on a middle school game that got turned back. Was told standard FED rules applied. Should have known I was in trouble when in coaches meeting I asked if players were properly and legally equipped and both coaches just looked at me and said, huh? I told them, no jewelry, hair pins etc. Both coaches said that was the first they had ever heard of the rule. First batter has on 2 rings, a bracelet and necklace.

Someone had a whistle they were blowing occasionally off to my right. Batter comes up to bat, suddenly I hear what appears to be the whistle coming from center field just as the pitcher released the ball, but cant see anyone with a whistle. Next pitch same thing. Just then the batter turns her head and I realize it is her that has the whistle. It is one of those flat disk ones that goes between the lips and teeth. I told her to get it out of her mouth and I didnt want to hear it again the rest of the game.

And all your typical stuff listed above pluse runners leading off like they were playing baseball etc.

Where are you at??? I have been doing school ball almost 20 () years, and the one thing that has stood out IS the improvement of play at the lower (JV & 7th/8th grade) levels. There are FAR fewer of the 37-34 nightmares you used to get, and far more kids who are ready to play when they hit school ball -the pitching and catching especially. The only place you get some of the suckier games is from some of the smaller schools, and from some of the schools whose programs have been, and always will be, hopeless.

One thing that has improved play/awareness around here is the proliferation of travel ball, especially in the bigger towns. For example, there was a 12U PONY tournament around here Mothers Day weekend, and almost all of the teams involved were from the immediate area, and there was a pretty good level of ball being played.