Force or not?

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

(And I would offer that new umpires will learn MORE at these games than at 14U, 18U, etc - rules that never come into play in older games often do at 10U or 8U)

+1. The 10U and 12U rec games I do for our association challenge me more when it comes to rules knowledge.

As a parent, I would prefer trained umpires over coaches/parents calling games for the young children. Those girls need to learn the rules as much as they need to work on their skills, and they won't get that knowledge from "non-umpires" on the field.

And eventually, I'll see some of those coaches as they follow their DDs into 14U and higher. I would much rather they learn the rules at the lower levels than have to deal with them in weekend ASA tourneys.

[CecilOne]

Let's remember that those amateur umpires, parents coaches or whoever; might very well become paid umpires later, good way to recruit. I started in 8-9 LL as a parent.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Manny A

+1. The 10U and 12U rec games I do for our association challenge me more when it comes to rules knowledge.

As a parent, I would prefer trained umpires over coaches/parents calling games for the young children. Those girls need to learn the rules as much as they need to work on their skills, and they won't get that knowledge from "non-umpires" on the field.

And eventually, I'll see some of those coaches as they follow their DDs into 14U and higher. I would much rather they learn the rules at the lower levels than have to deal with them in weekend ASA tourneys.

I'd rather see them worry about teaching the players and if they are still in need of the coach to pitch, they are still at a level where they need work. And just how many play straight rules?



Personal Opinion - I think it is a joke treating some of the lower levels of sport they way many of these organizations do. I don't see a need to force competition on children before they actually learn the game.

I know when I was young, it discouraged almost as many as it encouraged others to stay with it and that was before every kid HAD to be a winner and get a trophy. But that wasn't the problem. The problem was the adults. I like the idea of using the 14-16 teaching the kids the basics and kick the adults to the curb. I think when the time comes for competition, the kids will be more prepared than being thrown to the wolves early on.

Like I said, JMO.