blocking the plate question

[reccer]

You wanted to cite the NCAA's? Well, I just hated seeing all those 1-0 games this year, the offense really sucked.


While watching this year I was thinking about our conversation a couple of years ago how boring it was with Osterman and the big kid from Tennessee. This year's NCAA's were incredible, bomb after bomb, as the pitchers were forced to give the batters a legitimate pitch to hit. That is, until the final game when PU injected himself into the game and took the bat out of Florida's hands with his phantom outside corner strikes that snuffed out the rallies.

[KJUmp]

Originally Posted by reccer

The inside corner belongs to the runner

Blue, you were taught to catch the corner when baserunning. That is the inside corner I am referring to.

Female runners routinely have to hit the top of the bag when base running because defensive players are cluelessly going to their bag when they don't have the ball.

Attached is a picture for illustration. F5 (DD) has thrown wildly to first and F9 fell down when backing up. At the time of the picture, ball is rolling into RF corner, yet SS is cluelessly at/near her bag. She should be moving into backup position for the relay throw home.

Slideshows

Slide #3....would this be considered a crowhop?

[ronald]

[QUOTE=KJUmp;606991]Slide #3....would this be considered a crowhop?[/QUOTE

Kinda gives ya the impression.

[ronald]

Originally Posted by reccer

Don't put a Jack Tatum on them, but get some contact to draw Blue's attention.

I saw that in a game (intentionally going after slow thinking defensive player). I warned the coach about it. In another words, next time I had an ejection coming. USC.

[reccer]

(intentionally going after slow thinking defensive player)

Would you go to UC if 1) the runner was running on the most appropriate path for the situation and 2) any contact made is relatively minor?

Here's the sitch. 18U tourney of what should be experienced teams. You are BU. You know I coach my players to, let me clean this up a little bit, not shy away from contact with a defensive player. DD slaps an obvious twisty double to left (but getting to third is not a possibility) F3 is standing on/near the inside corner (where DD wants to step.) DD could go wider and avoid contact, but she is the leadoff hitter, she is our first base runner, and she gives a nudge to the much larger F3 as she is sailing by as a not so gentle reminder to get out of the runners path.

Her purpose in making contact was to draw your attention to where the defense is positioned without the ball and to remind the defender she needs to move out of the way. I'm not going to get off of bucket to come whine we should have been awarded third because despite Mike's shrill commentary, I do know the obstruction rule (been on the board 4 years and it is by far the most discussed topic.)

As an aside to the young coach, I run drills at my practices to de-sensitize my girls from shying away from contact both defensively (head down field the grounder, don't worry about contact with the runner) and offensively, no stutter steps as we saw in the CWS

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by reccer

(intentionally going after slow thinking defensive player)

Would you go to UC if 1) the runner was running on the most appropriate path for the situation and 2) any contact made is relatively minor?

Here's the sitch. 18U tourney of what should be experienced teams. You are BU. You know I coach my players to, let me clean this up a little bit, not shy away from contact with a defensive player. DD slaps an obvious twisty double to left (but getting to third is not a possibility) F3 is standing on/near the inside corner (where DD wants to step.) DD could go wider and avoid contact, but she is the leadoff hitter, she is our first base runner, and she gives a nudge to the much larger F3 as she is sailing by as a not so gentle reminder to get out of the runners path.

Her purpose in making contact was to draw your attention to where the defense is positioned without the ball and to remind the defender she needs to move out of the way. I'm not going to get off of bucket to come whine we should have been awarded third because despite Mike's shrill commentary, I do know the obstruction rule (been on the board 4 years and it is by far the most discussed topic.)

As an aside to the young coach, I run drills at my practices to de-sensitize my girls from shying away from contact both defensively (head down field the grounder, don't worry about contact with the runner) and offensively, no stutter steps as we saw in the CWS

Coach, I will reiterate. If I see intentional contact, I'm either warning or tossing, regardless of whether or not the other player should be there. You may say it's a gentle bump. A gentle bump can be enough to cause injury at just the wrong moment, or it can be enough to incite a riot. If I see it, warnings or ejections will be given.

[reccer]

I'm either warning or tossing, regardless of whether or not the other player should be there.

--------------------------
Now I am going to have to become a mind reader, as you say you will be. Typing on a computer, you might say you would toss, but in the real world, I don't believe you. I am (in my opinion) a model coach. You are glad to see its my game you are working again. I meet you immediately at the plate when you call for me with exact change and a new ball (except if its a pool game) and have two more ready to be tossed in. I don't chirp about your strike zone, neither do my parents. I don't ask you to check with your partner who is 80 feet away unless I can bring you something I honestly saw. Pulled foot, dropped ball, etc. (Truth is, not really bragging on myself but giving a few tips to the young coach thread starter)

DD is protecting you at catcher. She is equally respectful of your authority and you work well together.

I don't see you ejecting, nor have I seen it (ejections of either coach or female players) happening with any measurable frequency in my 13 years of coaching. You guys talk a lot about ejections, but then you admit you really don't do it.

Second point, I wonder if potential UC is a geographic thing. An event that is not acceptable in a lilly white softball state like Minnesota, might be standard practice in the hispanic culture that I coach in. The majority of our players, coaches and umpires are of hispanic heritage. Maybe we are a little rougher down here, which is why we are the top producer of football players in the country (if you ignore that appendage on the East coast.) Just a thought.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by reccer

Here's the sitch. 18U tourney of what should be experienced teams. You are BU. You know I coach my players to, let me clean this up a little bit, not shy away from contact with a defensive player. DD slaps an obvious twisty double to left (but getting to third is not a possibility) F3 is standing on/near the inside corner (where DD wants to step.) DD could go wider and avoid contact, but she is the leadoff hitter, she is our first base runner, and she gives a nudge to the much larger F3 as she is sailing by as a not so gentle reminder to get out of the runners path.

Her purpose in making contact was to draw your attention to where the defense is positioned without the ball and to remind the defender she needs to move out of the way. I'm not going to get off of bucket to come whine we should have been awarded third because despite Mike's shrill commentary, I do know the obstruction rule (been on the board 4 years and it is by far the most discussed topic.)

Yeah, you are going to come off that bucket because you are going to need to hear the warning I give your runner AND you. You've got my attention and it isn't going to be for an OBS call even though that call will have been made and appropriately administered.

As an aside to the young coach, I run drills at my practices to de-sensitize my girls from shying away from contact both defensively (head down field the grounder, don't worry about contact with the runner) and offensively, no stutter steps as we saw in the CWS

You either do not get it or have completely incompetent umpires. If you know the rule, you know that contact is not necessary. That means your only objective can be to make unnecessary physical contact with the opponent. You have no valid argument that supports your instruction to your players. There is no allowance for intentional contact with another player with the exception of making a tag or sliding into a base.

BTW, what is CWS?

[reccer]

CWS - College World Series. (where 3 or is it 4?) of our finest missed obstruction on what would have been the tying run in the biggest game of the year.

Give me the warning, throw me out, and know that you and your crew won't be invited back to do that TD's tourneys because you ejected one of his paying customers on a bull$hit call. Its the real world out here Mike, working Blues don't get to sit around and pontificate.

[azbigdawg]

Originally Posted by reccer

CWS - College World Series. (where 3 or is it 4?) of our finest missed obstruction on what would have been the tying run in the biggest game of the year.

Give me the warning, throw me out, and know that you and your crew won't be invited back to do that TD's tourneys because you ejected one of his paying customers on a bull$hit call. Its the real world out here Mike, working Blues don't get to sit around and pontificate.

Theres a red flag right there....I would put that crew back on your game as often as possible after a bull**** comment like that...If a TD is so weak kneed as to give in to his"paying customers" like that..he WONT have good umpires around....

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by reccer

CWS - College World Series. (where 3 or is it 4?) of our finest missed obstruction on what would have been the tying run in the biggest game of the year.

Give me the warning, throw me out, and know that you and your crew won't be invited back to do that TD's tourneys because you ejected one of his paying customers on a bull$hit call. Its the real world out here Mike, working Blues don't get to sit around and pontificate.

I don't umpire games based upon future assignments. Any umpire who does isn't worth having. If that is who you want to work your games, you are more than welcome to use them. BTW, the umpires around here are not working this weekend because of rain. Not much else to do then sit here and listen to coaches tell us they know better.

College World Series? Thought that was baseball and even then, it is nothing more is a cruel joke which supports other countries' view of Americans as arrogant. Just how many countries are permitted to take part in the "world" series?

[reccer]

Bigdawg,

Rather than work yourself into a frenzy because of that red cape I waved in front of you, Ponder this. I thought I knew the rules of basketball. Then we integrated, and I quickly learned a whole new way to play the game from my new friends. Ticky tack fouls were not going to be called, even though the way we played was a little rougher than the pontificating rule makers intended. The game itself changed, and in a good way.

In the same vein, for those of you who have either played or coached softball (which is most of you), I don't think that any of you are ever going to throw me out on the ticky tack scenario I laid out. Further, I believe that as a sport we are on a course to morph towards the way little ball is played.

That's my opinion, and if I do get tossed, it will be the first time ever, and I will report back to you what happened.

[HugoTafurst]

BTW:
Nice Photos

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by reccer

Now I am going to have to become a mind reader, as you say you will be. Typing on a computer, you might say you would toss, but in the real world, I don't believe you. I am (in my opinion) a model coach. You are glad to see its my game you are working again. I meet you immediately at the plate when you call for me with exact change and a new ball (except if its a pool game) and have two more ready to be tossed in. I don't chirp about your strike zone, neither do my parents. I don't ask you to check with your partner who is 80 feet away unless I can bring you something I honestly saw. Pulled foot, dropped ball, etc. (Truth is, not really bragging on myself but giving a few tips to the young coach thread starter)

DD is protecting you at catcher. She is equally respectful of your authority and you work well together.

I don't see you ejecting, nor have I seen it (ejections of either coach or female players) happening with any measurable frequency in my 13 years of coaching. You guys talk a lot about ejections, but then you admit you really don't do it.

Second point, I wonder if potential UC is a geographic thing. An event that is not acceptable in a lilly white softball state like Minnesota, might be standard practice in the hispanic culture that I coach in. The majority of our players, coaches and umpires are of hispanic heritage. Maybe we are a little rougher down here, which is why we are the top producer of football players in the country (if you ignore that appendage on the East coast.) Just a thought.

Bear in mind you're talking to a guy who has tossed out plenty of players and coaches from games, including his ex-gf's father. When I called back in Wisconsin, I tossed at least one every week or every other week. The pace has slowed down some since moving to the more "laid-back" South, but I still toss my fair share of players.

You're chasing arguments worse than my cat chases the laser pointer. At least I can't blame the cat...

[ronald]

[QUOTE=reccer;607046](intentionally going after slow thinking defensive player)

Would you go to UC if 1) the runner was running on the most appropriate path for the situation and 2) any contact made is relatively minor?

Your question is guilty of ambiguity.

So I will take some of its meanings.

Incidental: Nah.

R]elatively minor intentional contact.

Me: Coach, your player intentionally contacted the defensive player. The next time it happens, there will be an ejection.

You: It was minor and I wanted you to be aware of obstruction.

Me: I put my arm out, I saw it but your player deviated her path to make contact. That is USC. I have made my decision. Let's play ball. And I am walking to my position.

I made this call against an extremely well coached team. They went far, at least to the regional quarterfinals. Once I explained exactly what happened the discussion ended as he knew I knew what I was doing out there and had command of the rules and sound judgment.

Finally, my local UIC does not tolerate an iota of USC.