Terrible Umpires, IMO, need to work the concessions.

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Feb 27, 2017
95
0
Had three bad (IMO) calls this weekend that just left a bad taste with me. First , bases loaded and ball hit to my SS, makes the play and as she throws, the runner runs into her arm and leg, causing the ball to go toward the ondeck circle. Nothing called, Ump says incidental contact in his judgement. SMH. Next, line drive down third base hits the runner on third ( she was on the line, but jumps back as ball is coming at her) my third baseman collides into her, no catch and "foul ball". I understand she may (he saw her in foul territory)be on left side of the line, but shouldn't my third baseman be allowed to make the catch? I thought she interfered with the catch, even if she was in foul territory. Last, which was the biggest game changer, tied , with my lead off up. last strike is outside and batter swings, and there is a clear ting ,pop (bat to leather) . ball rolls sideways about 5 ft. batter doesn't run and is thrown out at first. What happen was a catcher interference as the batter hit the glove and ball. so it was either a catcher interference or foul ball. UMP says he didn't see it, ( of course you didnt see it, but you should HEAR it with the rest of us at the ball park) then as i'm walking away he tries to walk and tell me to come back. It was best that I didn't! An Umpire is going to make mistakes, but shouldn't go after a coach after he has walked a way. I don't think for one minute that they care about the outcome of games, but please pay attention. or sell popcorn and tickets!!!
 
Sep 29, 2014
2,421
113
1. Sounds pretty obvious not sure how you get around that.

2. Sounds like a judgement call, if they thought she was in foul territory, you said line drive and runner jumps back and sound like she landed in foul territory, a judgement call that does not sound like much to worry about if it was a pop up and time for players to react the runner would have to stay out of the fielders way but on a line drive her reflex was to jump back I'm not really seeing anything there.

3. Again if the umpire does not hear or see anything not much you can do.

4. Great plan to simply walk away!!
 
May 30, 2011
143
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What level of ball? How much does the league/organization support the umpiring program? Are there more umpiring assignments to fill than there are quality officials to fill them?

Remember officials just like players and coaches have to start somewhere and gain experience. Ball/strike and safe/out calls get a lot of reps so even a relatively inexperienced umpire will call many of them early and often in their career. Interference/Obstruction calls happen much less frequently. It's not uncommon to have lesser experienced umpires go with no call on something that most likely is something because the call is out of their comfort zone.

Before you simply cast these officials out, perhaps take a look at the umpiring program in your area. Rather than complaining about "bad calls" get involved in helping generate constructive feedback to the organization that trains and develops the umpires. And if there is not such a program in place perhaps the league/organization you play in should get behind one.
 
Feb 27, 2017
95
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This is 12u Travel, mostly retired "young" wiser, men. I dont like calling anyone "old". But my thing is when there is a play with the ball, and contact is made. Its not a judgement call, if ball is within 1 ft. of both girls. The offensive player should be out. I dont care if they didnt mean to touch, its irrelevant .If you can call obstruction and there is no contact, then contact on a played ball should always interference (when the fielder can clearly get to it).
 
May 30, 2011
143
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This is 12u Travel, mostly retired "young" wiser, men. I dont like calling anyone "old". But my thing is when there is a play with the ball, and contact is made. Its not a judgement call, if ball is within 1 ft. of both girls. The offensive player should be out. I dont care if they didnt mean to touch, its irrelevant .If you can call obstruction and there is no contact, then contact on a played ball should always interference (when the fielder can clearly get to it).
May want to reread my post. I am not defending any of the calls, merely pointing out that relegating these officials to the concession stand may not provide the result you are looking for. Not trying to put down 12u, just pointing out it's a ways from the top of the softball pyramid!

12u huh? I would say that you're going to see a wide range of experience levels among umpires. You can't change that or control it. At the 12u level just focus on coaching your girls to move on to the next play and teaching fundamentals. Bad calls are like bad hops on a ground ball; they happen. Teach your girls how to deal with adversity. It's one of the best things organized sports can give a young person.
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
We had good ones this past weekend. A few close calls that might have gone the wrong way but nothing blatant or horrible. And it felt like time to throw a party, it's so rare to have decent umpires all day long. I can't remember the last time that happened.
 
Jun 27, 2011
5,089
0
North Carolina
Quality of umpiring is no concern to me. Since I'm not willing to do it, I'm grateful for those who are.

My DD is in her 10th year of youth softball. I've coached for more than half of that. If the quality of umpiring had been 100 percent better in those 10 years, it wouldn't have made any difference in what we've gotten out of softball. Some games would've turned out differently, but just as many for better as worse.

But if coaches were 100 percent better? Or parents? That could make all the difference in the world.

In fact, if we had better coaches and parents, we'd have better umpires because they'd have a friendlier, more attractive work environment, and more would want to do it.

I got no problem w/ umpires. I salute you.
 
Aug 30, 2015
286
28
Quality of umpiring is no concern to me. Since I'm not willing to do it, I'm grateful for those who are.

My DD is in her 10th year of youth softball. I've coached for more than half of that. If the quality of umpiring had been 100 percent better in those 10 years, it wouldn't have made any difference in what we've gotten out of softball. Some games would've turned out differently, but just as many for better as worse.

But if coaches were 100 percent better? Or parents? That could make all the difference in the world.

In fact, if we had better coaches and parents, we'd have better umpires because they'd have a friendlier, more attractive work environment, and more would want to do it.

I got no problem w/ umpires. I salute you.

AMEN.

Umpires and sports officials are easy targets and get the most heat. I think its the American culture.

Wonder why we don't hear more:

"Coach! That was horrible! You should have had her bunt, not swing away!"

"C'mon, coach. . . you can't be serious. . . "

"Coach, that's not right! The rule says (fill in blank)"

"Dad! What're you thinking? You in the same game?"

"Mom?! You let your kid speak/act that way? You need to get some better training!"
 
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