Umpires for 12U States

[luckyone]

How bad were the umpires this weekend.
Question to ASA where did you find these blues T-Ball

[uno tres]

The base ump from our Friday night game was horrible..worst I've seen in a long time. He seemed to have it in for us from the beginning of the game. His own partner behind the plate couldn't even figure this little jackass out...

[coachkev]

I could see how a pitcher's dad thought they were good. With strike zones from the neck to the ankles and 6" off the plate was given as well.

All I have to say is isn't a standard pitching rubber supposed to be bigger than 4" x 12"? If that is all they have available shouldn't the umps be smart enough to not call illegal pitches? Unbelievable weekend.... As a 1st timer I had this tournament built up in my mind and was very let down.

[Sftbll4ever]

Hey be happy. I can tell you the ultimate WORST umpire ever was at the 2 friendlies we were at this weekend. The guy is a gem of all gems.

[softballjunky]

I agree with coach kev, the worst umpiring I have seen for such a big tournament. I watched
a game between Mizuno Pride and Bomb Squad, a nail biter of a game when last up for Pride and girls at 2nd and third and 2 outs, batter with 2 strikes made a check swing..umpire called ball and base umpire at 3rd base called swing and 3rd out. I don't see how umpire at 3rd could see batter come around. Bad call for Pride given chance to tie or win....heavely watched game with amazement from everyone watching the game with such a bad call.

[Ricky Bobby]

I noticed what seemed to be the UIC directing his base umps on positioning during the Nemesis/Pride game on Sunday. If they can't figure it out for themselves, I know of a Rec Ball Tourney this weekend.

Base ump on Friday nights game gave 2 warnings stating that if our parents were caught with the alcohol they were consuming, I would be tossed. Wish I was drinking and tossed...

[artomatic]

I agree with coach kev, the worst umpiring I have seen for such a big tournament. I watched
a game between Mizuno Pride and Bomb Squad, a nail biter of a game when last up for Pride and girls at 2nd and third and 2 outs, batter with 2 strikes made a check swing..umpire called ball and base umpire at 3rd base called swing and 3rd out. I don't see how umpire at 3rd could see batter come around. Bad call for Pride given chance to tie or win....heavely watched game with amazement from everyone watching the game with such a bad call.

I watched the BS vs Pride game and I disagree that the game came down to a "bad call".
Ask the Bomb Squad side if they thought it was a bad call.
Of course the Pride side thinks it was a bad call because it went against them.
Although that call went BS's way, how can you say that decided the game?
What about a couple innings before, when Pride had runners on 2nd and 3rd, no outs, and BS caught a line drive and doubled up the base runner on third base to escape a huge jam? I thought that was the key to the game right there.
What about timely hitting and good defense by both sides all game long?

I cracked up when I heard one Pride parent describe how BS's first run "scored on a routine fly ball that was dropped". Funny, I saw the Pride outfielder race toward the fence, lunge and just miss making a highlight reel catch that just ticked off her glove. Not a "routine dropped fly ball" by any means...
It was a tight game that came down to a couple plays, and a couple of timely hits, as these games usually do.
I just think when you blame the umps you are taking away the team's focus from playing their game.
I have no bias towards either team, I was just there watching games.

Congratulations to the teams that earned their berths to Alabama and also to those teams that earned a berth to regionals.
**To those of you that aren't familiar with regionals, not only do the top two teams get National berths, but alot of times they will take a few more.
And, if there are any fill in berths given to California, they give those berths to teams that go to regionals.

[jofus]

I saw an plate ump last weekend ask a base ump if a right-handed girl had swung or held up....and the base ump was between 2nd and 3rd.

And he called it a strike.

[Skarp]

"With strike zones from the neck to the ankles and 6" off the plate was given as well. "

Oh please with that description.
I will agree that most catchers will catch a good breaking pitch 6" off the plate, when they are 12-18" BEHIND it when the catch is made. If you are complaining now I can imagine what it will be like when the girls get older.

I stood behind the plate for several games and can verify that the strike zones were consistently very liberal...which gives a big advantage to the top pitchers, who are hard enough to hit when there is a disciplined strike zone.

But I didn't see any blues favoring one team over another...they were just calling lots of balls strikes all the way around.

[coachkev]

"LIBERAL" isn't the word and I would have to agree with Skarp they weren't playing favorites. All teams benifited on the defensive side. If you have a top pitcher that is already hard to hit expanding a strike zone makes it damb near impossible. I overheard a table of umps on Saturday talking about " All of the 1-0 & 2-0 scores". You can credit the teams, but some of the games I saw weren't played in a 1-0 manner. Just a lot of strike-outs on bad calls. It is a way for the umps to speed up the games and it was very appearent that time needed to be made up to get in the poor excuse of a re-schedule that ASA put on. Work your way through the losers bracket and you get no shot at the game you earned. That just sucks if you ask me.

Spazdad I had the opportunity to see your DD in action you should be one proud papa . That is one tight spin she has on her pitch. She is a great player... Congrats to your team! Sorry about the wine-ing