I agree with Soxnole.
Little League is a step or more below the competition of present day travel. The recent changes that allow teams like the Homer Heat and Danny Almonte's Brooklyn team of a few years ago is an attempt to keep players of high ability in LL.
The pitching and baseline distances are too short, no lead offs or dropped thirds really makes it a bad game. Good but not great pitchers can dominate LL games. Little League should be played by kids 10 and under.
Congrats to Illinois, Lemont, Homer Heat. Weak umpiring (especially behind the plate) was the rule of the day overall, but they got hosed big in the last inning.
Somewhere I got lost on all this fastball, what does the homer heat have to do with any of this? Did I miss something? Won't be the first time.
Quote from BeenthereIL:
"Hard to tell how good a team it was considering virtually no one hit the ball."
Wait until they play Japan. Those kids hit.
"Hard to tell how good a team it was considering virtually no one hit the ball."
Wait until they play Japan. Those kids hit.
My understanding is that The Lemont little League team is essentially The Homer Heat Travel Team plus a kid or two from Lemont. Didn't say there is anything wrong with it.
Same old same old from Homer Heat. They did it in PONY with their 14s in 2000, too...the same cadre that won the IHSA AA championship in 2005. They showed up at the PONY North Zone in Lansing, MI in 2000 with a record of 70-2 or something ridiculous while our little old Minooka All Stars were 12-0 or such at the same zone... what a joke.
Doesn't LL still have geographical limitations on who plays for each team?
quote:Originally posted by sweaty:
soon as i saw that kid with the hat cooocked like that i made a snide remark about , playing the game and looking the part and then the coach had to say my thoughts out loud....shame on him, although he was right IMO, he should have saved that for another time. now, of course, they are going to put the old teams from Chicago AINT GOT NO CLASS....i say to that...we will beat anybody at anytime on any field. california this florida that watch out for the BOYS from CHA ca goooo...and they put they're bats in violin cases....ouch, but, i still hear that one ...what was that 1936 or 46??
I saw the kid with the cocked hat pitch really well tonite with a shutout and 8 K's. Also hit something like his 53rd homer of the season. Just think what he could do if he "looked the part"
What a break for the crooked hat wearing left handed pitcher to get an extra day rest because of the rain before he faces Japan for the title.
I beleive the kid with the crooked hat wears it like that because he had some sort of plate inserted into his head as a younger kid. I didnt read this thread so i dont know if someone was ripping him or thats how you fellows refer to him.
FastballDad,
watched the International championship and could not believe how bad the umps were. That guy behind the plate was unbelievable. There were balls 2 feet off the plate that he was ringing kids up on, it is hard enough to hit, much less without a strike zone.
watched the International championship and could not believe how bad the umps were. That guy behind the plate was unbelievable. There were balls 2 feet off the plate that he was ringing kids up on, it is hard enough to hit, much less without a strike zone.
Looks like they don't want any walks and like the pitching to dominate.
This would be a great venue to begin removing the umpires from the game.
In 2006, we simply don't need them at the MLB level. The technology is there, at least for MLB to use and with TV dominating this LL tourney, people could actually enjoy a game without having to wonder why little johnny just struck out on a pitch 2 feet outside!
I for one, would welcome the introduction of technology to remove the plethora of human error exhibited at every level, including MLB!
Lets start with Williamsport.
In 2006, we simply don't need them at the MLB level. The technology is there, at least for MLB to use and with TV dominating this LL tourney, people could actually enjoy a game without having to wonder why little johnny just struck out on a pitch 2 feet outside!
I for one, would welcome the introduction of technology to remove the plethora of human error exhibited at every level, including MLB!
Lets start with Williamsport.
I think we're all in agreement about the quality of umpiring at the LLWS. It isn't just bad, it is God awful. I think that the LL organization is made to look like an inept, joke of a league with their outdated game rules and the praising of their "volunteer" umpires. Heck, they SHOULD volunteer as they couldn't possibly expect to get paid for this kind of performance. With what they're raking in with TV revenues maybe they should consider hiring some real umpires to call a real game and let the boys learn what a real strike zone is.
That being said, I don't believe that Soxnole really wants computers to eliminate umpires. Umpires are part of the history of this game and most at the MLB level are very good. I would favor instant replay for certain types of judgement calls like fair or foul but I wouldn't do away with the umps in favor of computers. JMO.
That being said, I don't believe that Soxnole really wants computers to eliminate umpires. Umpires are part of the history of this game and most at the MLB level are very good. I would favor instant replay for certain types of judgement calls like fair or foul but I wouldn't do away with the umps in favor of computers. JMO.
I'm tempted to say "you get what you pay for", but then, Eric Gregg disproved that in the 1997 LCS. Remember Livan Hernandez throwing curves in the right-handed batter's box to lefties, and getting the call over and over?
In the end, it's up to the parent organization to put its foot down with the umps. This expanded strike zone has been going on all week and obviously no one has put their foot down and so it's only gotten worse.
In the end, it's up to the parent organization to put its foot down with the umps. This expanded strike zone has been going on all week and obviously no one has put their foot down and so it's only gotten worse.
biggerpapi...
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USA 2 JAPAN 1...11 strikeouts out of the 18 outs...some "hitting"
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Beenthere for President!
quote:Quote from BeenthereIL:
"Hard to tell how good a team it was considering virtually no one hit the ball."
Wait until they play Japan. Those kids hit.
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USA 2 JAPAN 1...11 strikeouts out of the 18 outs...some "hitting"
---------------
Beenthere for President!
Looks like the "kid with the cocked cap" is the best LL player in the world.
I'll take either pitcher.
and...the real star of the game, Cody, Georgia's other pitcher. He won it with a 2 run HR!
and...the real star of the game, Cody, Georgia's other pitcher. He won it with a 2 run HR!
Sox,
I would too. Just saying that the kid had 54 HR's and 50+ walks for the 40 game season. Gretsky like numbers.
Overall, was impressed with the defense in all the games I watched, but the mound is too close. Not enough hitting.
I would too. Just saying that the kid had 54 HR's and 50+ walks for the 40 game season. Gretsky like numbers.
Overall, was impressed with the defense in all the games I watched, but the mound is too close. Not enough hitting.