I do not usually complain about umpires because I know it is a job I would NEVER want! I respect that they are out there as part of the game that they love, in the cold (today), heat, wind, etc. But now for my question...
DD's team played today with an umpire who had a very difficult strike zone. He called strikes at the eyeballs and at the ankles. DD's team had a very hard time adjusting. They usually have very good pitch selection and they had a lot of girls in tears after they "struck out" on pitches that were chin high or just above their shoes. DD has had this umpire in the past and she calls him the farting ump. When she catches and he is standing behind her he passes gas every time he bends over. Lovely. Anyway - I digress...
The strike zone did not seem to be same for the other team. They are a very tall team and DD's team is not. DD's team is small and speedy. The pitch that ended the game (with a tying run on 3rd and a runner on 1st was at the eyeballs). Even the other coach commented after the game that it was ridiculous. The girl at bat was heartbroken.
So...how do you help the girls to adjust to a strike zone like this? They obviously don't want to start swinging at pitches that are most times not in the strike zone. They were not able to adjust for most of the game. DD was mad. She told me she doesn't want to adjust to that - I told her she has to.
DD's team played today with an umpire who had a very difficult strike zone. He called strikes at the eyeballs and at the ankles. DD's team had a very hard time adjusting. They usually have very good pitch selection and they had a lot of girls in tears after they "struck out" on pitches that were chin high or just above their shoes. DD has had this umpire in the past and she calls him the farting ump. When she catches and he is standing behind her he passes gas every time he bends over. Lovely. Anyway - I digress...
The strike zone did not seem to be same for the other team. They are a very tall team and DD's team is not. DD's team is small and speedy. The pitch that ended the game (with a tying run on 3rd and a runner on 1st was at the eyeballs). Even the other coach commented after the game that it was ridiculous. The girl at bat was heartbroken.
So...how do you help the girls to adjust to a strike zone like this? They obviously don't want to start swinging at pitches that are most times not in the strike zone. They were not able to adjust for most of the game. DD was mad. She told me she doesn't want to adjust to that - I told her she has to.