The level of coaches & umpires

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Mar 10, 2020
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That being said, I am a firm believer in an umpire not working a game that involves skill of the players above what they are comfortable working UNLESS they have a more experienced partner. The game just goes too fast at times to not be ahead of the play and players.
It is unfortunate for everybody on the field when a less experienced umpire is over their head in a game that goes too fast. They have to get their experience somewhere but it shouldn't be in a place where they are drowning behind the plate by themselves. Would you agree? This is what I see causes the most conflict and people questioning and start berating umpires. They are supposed to be official and when they do not have the experience to handle doing so this is when it is noticeable.
 
Apr 14, 2022
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Dunston wasn’t known for his arm accuracy..Softball/baseball is about skill and athletic ability (which includes strength)..hand-eye coordination falls into both of those categories (it can be developed but eyesight, which is part of it, is something which you are born with)
Yes that was my point Dunston went #1 for how hard he could throw the ball. David Eckstein was more accurate and his defense was more valuable. While all skills can be improved some like throwing accuracy is assumed to be taught and not a talent. Just like at 8 some can throw the harder, some straighter some both. All can be improved but both has a level of natural ability.
 
Jan 22, 2011
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It is unfortunate for everybody on the field when a less experienced umpire is over their head in a game that goes too fast. They have to get their experience somewhere but it shouldn't be in a place where they are drowning behind the plate by themselves. Would you agree? This is what I see causes the most conflict and people questioning and start berating umpires. They are supposed to be official and when they do not have the experience to handle doing so this is when it is noticeable.

The problem is the best place for a new umpire to get experience is in a pool play game with an experienced umpire teamed with them. How many tournaments use two umpires in pool play? Would teams be willing to pay an extra $150 a tournament to have two umpires in pool play? Are there enough umpires available to have 2 umpires in pool play?

How many parents or coaches volunteer to umpire in their rec leagues and choose to give back to the game that gave them and their DD's so many memories and joy by becoming an umpire?
 
Jun 8, 2016
16,118
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It is unfortunate for everybody on the field when a less experienced umpire is over their head in a game that goes too fast. They have to get their experience somewhere but it shouldn't be in a place where they are drowning behind the plate by themselves. Would you agree? This is what I see causes the most conflict and people questioning and start berating umpires. They are supposed to be official and when they do not have the experience to handle doing so this is when it is noticeable.
From what I have seen, you could have the best MLB umpires behind the plate and some TB parents would still bitch about everything…
 

radness

Possibilities & Opportunities!
Dec 13, 2019
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From what I have seen, you could have the best MLB umpires behind the plate and some TB parents would still bitch about everything…
I agree there is a lot of biatching about unnecessary things. However the amount of games that get out of hand in softball think there is a relevance to the lack of abilities and how people handle themselves. Aka~ things can get out of hand and elevate quickly.

Probably/Possibly that is because there is a lack of repercussions from bad officiated games and coaching actions. Even if coaches while they may get reprimanded in one game is usually unconsequential to the next game.

(imagine in MLB there is repercussions in place because of the platform it is on) plus in mlb the are 4 umpires per game. 🤷‍♀️
 
Jun 8, 2016
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Yes that was my point Dunston went #1 for how hard he could throw the ball. David Eckstein was more accurate and his defense was more valuable. While all skills can be improved some like throwing accuracy is assumed to be taught and not a talent. Just like at 8 some can throw the harder, some straighter some both. All can be improved but both has a level of natural ability.
I am sure his arm was part of it. That said you don’t get to be a MLB SS without a high level of skill as well..Also while David Eckstein is a champion for every parent of an athletically challenged kid, he was probably more athletically gifted than 99.99% of the general population.
 
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Jun 8, 2016
16,118
113
However the amount of games that get out of hand in softball think there is a relevance to the lack of abilities and how people handle themselves. Aka~ things can get out of hand and elevate quickly.
I never said umpires all do a good job, only that complaining by parents during a game is pointless (actually didn’t say that but am now) and that some parents would complain regardless because they are clueless and only complain because they think Suzy is getting screwed and not because the umpire did anything wrong..
 
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Apr 14, 2022
564
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I am sure his arm was part of it. That said you don’t get to be a MLB SS without a high level of skill as well..Also while David Eckstein is a champion for every parent of an athletically challenged kid, he was probably more athletically gifted than 99.99% of the general population.
Ok that is my point. Eckstein had elite hand eye coordination and arm accuracy. These items are athletic skills but tend to be undervalued by coaches. He was athletically gifted just evaluators undervalued those skills but overvalued arm strength in players like Dunston.
 
Jun 8, 2016
16,118
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Ok that is my point. Eckstein had elite hand eye coordination and arm accuracy. These items are athletic skills but tend to be undervalued by coaches. He was athletically gifted just evaluators undervalued those skills but overvalued arm strength in players like Dunston.
Ok but I am not sure why you keep saying arm accuracy? I am not an Eckstein expert but if a MLB SS lacks arm strength they would have to make up for that via glove to hand transfer quickness, playing the best angles, etc etc…not accuracy..
 

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