Ump makes a horrible call at LL game.


Little League umps are bad. I mean, it's not a surprise. Half the time these guys have games to umpire, the pitchers can barely get the ball within a foot of the strike zone anyway. They should disqualify this umpire and whatever association he works with going forward, though. Anyone who's umping from behind a right handed batter has no clue where the outside corner is, and anyone who lets this guy work and didn't fix that is part of the problem.
 
Little League umps are bad. I mean, it's not a surprise. Half the time these guys have games to umpire, the pitchers can barely get the ball within a foot of the strike zone anyway. They should disqualify this umpire and whatever association he works with going forward, though. Anyone who's umping from behind a right handed batter has no clue where the outside corner is, and anyone who lets this guy work and didn't fix that is part of the problem.
You’re right. Though I remember the training was always to slot some between batter and catcher, since the bigger challenge is to see the inside zone. Conversely this does make the outside zone more challenging to see.

This fucking ump isn’t merely in this slot….he’s practically behind the batter. That’s horrid positioning!
 
You’re right. Though I remember the training was always to slot some between batter and catcher, since the bigger challenge is to see the inside zone. Conversely this does make the outside zone more challenging to see.

This fucking ump isn’t merely in this slot….he’s practically behind the batter. That’s horrid positioning!
He should have his mask somewhere close to the catcher's left shoulder, not the batter's right shoulder.

Also, if this catcher was any kind of smart, he'd be setting up further and further outside. If that's the corner with that much of a reach, think how many strikes he'd be stealing set up another 2 inches outside.
 
He should have his mask somewhere close to the catcher's left shoulder, not the batter's right shoulder.

Also, if this catcher was any kind of smart, he'd be setting up further and further outside. If that's the corner with that much of a reach, think how many strikes he'd be stealing set up another 2 inches outside.
Exactly! He’s totally given up the outside view to favor the inside view, which makes no sense for kids this age.
 
Little League umps are bad. I mean, it's not a surprise. Half the time these guys have games to umpire, the pitchers can barely get the ball within a foot of the strike zone anyway. They should disqualify this umpire and whatever association he works with going forward, though. Anyone who's umping from behind a right handed batter has no clue where the outside corner is, and anyone who lets this guy work and didn't fix that is part of the problem.
Aren't LL umps usually just someone's dad? We're lucky if the guy was sober.
 
When I played baseball, the umps were all just doing it on the side. Think the park department paid them 35 dollars per game, less for t-ball and coach pitch and they got a free drink out of the concession stand every game.

My best friend at the time's dad ran the concession stands. He made a nice chunk of change every year, same for basketball and softball. He paid me 10 dollars a game when my team wasn't playing.
 
When I played baseball, the umps were all just doing it on the side. Think the park department paid them 35 dollars per game, less for t-ball and coach pitch and they got a free drink out of the concession stand every game.

My best friend at the time's dad ran the concession stands. He made a nice chunk of change every year, same for basketball and softball. He paid me 10 dollars a game when my team wasn't playing.
That’s interesting. When I grew up (and then my daughters in softball) LL was all volunteer umps. I did LL for a bit to get some chops before taking on high school games. I actually liked not getting paid….always felt like I would catch more shit if I were.

High school down here paid about $60-$65 a game almost 20 years ago when I did it. I think when my Dad stopped about 6 years ago it was up to $90 a game.
 
Aren't LL umps usually just someone's dad? We're lucky if the guy was sober.
During the season, yes. At this point? No. These folks are supposed to have some sort of umpire association that hands out assignments. This ump makes that whole group look terrible.
 
Aren't LL umps usually just someone's dad? We're lucky if the guy was sober.
Not for us. We have hired umps and pay a lot for them all season and stick with them when we host a tourney. Got one fired over the summer he was so bad. Called the head of the org after the game over some serious terrible calls, he came out and watched the crew work the next game, then called them over after that game and fired em on the spot. Final straw was when he called both my batter and runner stealing 3rd out for batters interference because my batter didn't move. he took the pitch, stood completely still in the batters box, and was called out. First, the batter and runner can't both be out, only the batter should have been. but there was no motion to obstruct, or at all, and he was entitled to his spot. As the batter was walking away my 3rd base coach told the batter, his son, don't worry it was a bad call. The ump went OFF on my coach. I got between them and told him not to talk to my coaches, talk to me. he kept saying he was "gonna reguhlate. reguhlate on anyone questioning him.". Never raised my voice and just told him it was a bad call and I'd handle it the right way.

And yeah, I waved to him as he was leaving the field after getting fired.
 
That’s interesting. When I grew up (and then my daughters in softball) LL was all volunteer umps. I did LL for a bit to get some chops before taking on high school games. I actually liked not getting paid….always felt like I would catch more shit if I were.

High school down here paid about $60-$65 a game almost 20 years ago when I did it. I think when my Dad stopped about 6 years ago it was up to $90 a game.
We paid $120 per league game. $70 to home and $50 to the field. Tourneys we had three umps. 10u select ball.
 
We paid $120 per league game. $70 to home and $50 to the field. Tourneys we had three umps. 10u select ball.
This was LL? That at interesting. About 2/3 what a HS 2 man crew could make these these roughly.
 
Personally I thought the batters response would be more effective than the getting mad they do in the majors. Could you imagine a batter in the majors doing that for that amount of time. Ump cant retaliate because nothing is being said yet, everything needed to be said is getting said LOL. Loved that kids response!
 
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