Fun & Games at a "recreational" tournament

[IRISHMAFIA]

Worked the local umpire association's annual "one pitch" fundraising tournament that is supposed to be recreationa, but always becomes highly competitive. For those not familiar, a one-pitch means that there are only three options. The pitch is a ball (walk), a strike including fouls (out) or the batter hits a fair ball.

Lots of fun. To start, this 25+ year old tournament has always had the teams "supply the balls" and replace a ball you lose over the fence. Well, in their infinite knowledge, the players read this to mean "hit your own ball". Hmmmmmm......not even a 3rd grader would make that leap. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way they talk the umpire into allowing this. It is bad enough when you have umpires making it up as they go along, but to allow the players that "privilege"? And, of course, when the more experienced umpires show up, it is a fight getting the teams to do it correctly. Had one player state, "Hey, we set this standard early on". No $hit?!?! An umpire's tournament and a team claims to be setting the rules. Go figure!

Then you have the U-trip pitcher who never plays ASA and he basically wants to deliver the ball from just about anywhere he pleases. Gotta love it when the BU calls an IP in a one-pitch tournament.

One player was going ballistic because runners on 3B were stepping off the base (on the release) into foul territory because they were afraid of a hard shot down the line. Told him the plate umpire is going to be watching the pitch and the BU isn't going to be sure there is separation and s/he isn't going to make the call without being sure.

Well, got to the championship game and we are using a 3-umpire system which puts an umpire on the 3B line with a runner there (obviously). Sure enough, standing there watching the pitcher begin his delivery and this runner steps away from the base. The "no pitch" call negated a base hit to the outfield and the runner on 3rd being called out. The pitcher immediately says, "he was off the base, good call, blue." Seems everyone knew why he was out, just didn't like the call.

Also had a ball deflect off the pitcher toward F4. Runner from first was burning for 2nd and at the last second realized the ball was heading toward F4 as he stepped up, but couldn't avoid running into him though he tried to get away from him. Ruling was the base upon 8.7.J.4; No interference was ruled since the runners actions were not intentional.

All around a pretty decent day since it was sunny and in the mid 60's with a slight breeze.

[greymule]

I remember playing in a bunch of one-pitch tournaments. The games go fast (obviously). Never encountered any of the issues Mike mentioned, though. I'm surprised that players wanted to leave 3B early, since the "one-pitch" stipulation doesn't affect distances or swings.

By the time I began umpiring, the one-pitch tournaments had pretty much disappeared, at least in the Soprano State.

For a while, "singles" tournaments were popular in central NJ, too. Games were on LL fields, and "home runs" were outs. Not easy to keep the ball in the park, and you had a good chance of keeping a team scoreless even when they had the bases loaded and no outs. Teams would play their outfields shallow, since it was so difficult to hit a ball over the outfielder but not over the fence. Never umpired a singles game, however.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by greymule

I'm surprised that players wanted to leave 3B early, since the "one-pitch" stipulation doesn't affect distances or swings.

They were afraid their teammate would hit them with the ball.

Anyone else see the hypocracy of the players? Get the hot bat, get it altered and then complain about all the other rules because it isn't safe with the bats being used.

[argodad]

We played a variation in intramurals at the Navy Postgrad School. One pitch, but the pitcher was on the offensive team. Nine defensive players. Either hit it fair, or you were out. If the ball touched the pitcher, you were out. You could play a game in 30 minutes. Lots of fun.