That's all fine and dandy, but this can look to some like favoritism. As an umpire, we are instructed NOT to coach. That's the coach's job. By all means, the coach can ask what they did wrong, and we can tell them, but we are not to instruct the girls. That goes for tournament and rec.PEPPERS said:We have a great ump in our area with the younger kids when he makes a call he talks to the player. He will explain to the player why he called what he called, like a kid tagged a sliding runner too high and the runner was safe, he would explain to the fielder on tagging low to get the out.
I'm not a soccer person, but when you say that there is no offsides rule enforced at 10U, does that mean that they don't have the rule at 10U, or that it is not enforced? If the former, then obviously it wouldn't be called... it isn't a part of the rules! IP's are still part of the rules at 10U softball. SoftSocDad, your analogy to the soccer rule is moot.SoftSocDad said:There's a reason why there is no offsides rule enforced in 10u rec soccer.
There are nuances in certain sports that kill enjoyment of the game if monitored too strictly, especially for beginners.
It's a clear case of the umpires making the game about them.
I don't know what an 8 YO could be doing that is illegal, generally they just step and throw. If she is being taught to "fly", then, yes the ump is going to call it. Perhaps, your rules don't allow for warnings.
Sorry, what's PONY?
While I would not, as an umpire, want to discourage the pitcher at a young age, they really do need to learn to pitch legally. What about the girls who ARE pitching legally? What do you say to them? "Sorry Susie. The other girl isn't playing by the rules, but the umpire thinks that's ok."
That's all fine and dandy, but this can look to some like favoritism. As an umpire, we are instructed NOT to coach. That's the coach's job. By all means, the coach can ask what they did wrong, and we can tell them, but we are not to instruct the girls. That goes for tournament and rec.
I'm not a soccer person, but when you say that there is no offsides rule enforced at 10U, does that mean that they don't have the rule at 10U, or that it is not enforced? If the former, then obviously it wouldn't be called... it isn't a part of the rules! IP's are still part of the rules at 10U softball. SoftSocDad, your analogy to the soccer rule is moot.
I agree that considerations should be made for beginning levels. ASA used to have a bunch of special 10U rules. No D3K, no IF, no stealing home, etc. They took them out in 2008, I believe, because it was found that the level of competition was high enough that the rules needed to be enforced. Never, however, did the younger age groups have a special rule that says we shouldn't call IP's. It's part of the game.