LLWS, Here We Go Again

quote:

Originally posted by Dad04:
My son's LL coach drank screwdrivers during Saturday morning games...in the dugout.

A long, long time ago, my coach picked me up for LL practice. I can still hear myself saying, "Smells like my dad's beer in here."

That Kentucky Pennsylvania game was really good.The double that was ruled foul really changed that game.Pennysylvania had so many opportunities to score.Thought some of the base running decisions were not the best.But what do I know.When there was the base hit that first basemen bobbled, runnner came home, thrown out at plate for first out.If he stays at third there are runners on 1st and third with no outs.Next guy got a base hit.Bummer, as overall it was a good game.The pitcher for kentucky 6'0 (crazy),but boy he pitched well.

Apologize if this has been vilified already, but the thing that drives me nuts are the 65mph fastballs "that are like 90mph in MLB".

Please...

Does that also mean that the 25mph front toss pitches from 15' are like 100mph fastballs? Does that mean a ball projected from a cannon 600' away at 900mph is just as easy to hit as a 90mph fastball in MLB?

I don't think so, but that's just me...

The Kentucky Pennyslvania game had and estimated crowd of over 40,000. Wow what a stage for your first LLWS game - even though some of these kids are huge for their age - they are still only 13, and to play in front of a crowd like that and do well is pretty cool for them!

is it 60ft bases, no lead offs, no straight steals, no drop 3rd strikes for 12-13 year olds???

quote:

Originally posted by JMoff:
Apologize if this has been vilified already, but the thing that drives me nuts are the 65mph fastballs "that are like 90mph in MLB".

I don't think so, but that's just me...

It would be fun to watch you (or me) try to hit a 75 mph Hagen Danner pitch from 46 feet away.

quote:

Originally posted by SultanofSwat:

It would be fun to watch you (or me) try to hit a 75 mph Hagen Danner pitch from 46 feet away.

I'd have just as much chance of hitting the 900mph from 600' and only slightly better chance of hitting the 25mph from 15'.

I'm not saying these kids aren't good, I'm just saying the faster it moves the harder it is to hit.

.

"It would be fun to watch you (or me) try to hit a 75 mph Hagen Danner pitch from 46 feet away."

Serve it up from 46 feet or two feet, curve, slider, fastball, or change up...I can hit it!






.

quote:

Originally posted by fillsfan:
I enjoy watching the games but the two things that make me turn the channel after an inning or so are the lunatic parents and the strike zones.

Sometimes these kids have no chance of hitting the ball when a pitch a foot off the plate is a strike. I guess you have to give 12 yo kids a little wider zone but some of the zones are ridiculous. After couple of batters, and I have to go back to watching Storage Wars or American Pickers.

And does a parent really have to jump up and down and scream for 2 minutes when junior hits a single with nobody on base. Tough to watch.

I have to admit...some of the worst umpiring I've seen this year. LL needs to put performance above politics when assigning umpires to the WS.

quote:

Originally posted by Jimmy03:
I have to admit...some of the worst umpiring I've seen this year. LL needs to put performance above politics when assigning umpires to the WS.

I'll be the one to say it.

LL needs to allow its umpires to be paid. (Yes, I know umpires can be paid, but LL's selection criteria for regionals and WS...)

It is the same argument I make when it comes to PBUC/MLB. If you want the best at the top, then you need to make it so your pool of candidates is the biggest possible at the bottom. The best umpires that could otherwise do LL are elsewhere, since there is a significant personal investment in being a competent umpire, and expecting remuneration is not out of line.

I was 17 years old, doing a LL state tournament, with $800 invested in my equipment, uniforms, training, etc. I chose to have those tools. I chose to go to advanced clinics. I would not have been able to do it had my local league not given me $20 a game and as many games as necessary. They didn't expect me to do that with my game fees, but I loved doing it and wanted to get better so that I could do it the best I could. By LL's logic, that makes me inferior, ironically; the umpires and leagues that foster the sense of mutual commitment were the ones that were (and still are) in the wrong.

LL is correct when it says that paying umpires does not guarantee a better job. Seeing through that (technically correct) statment is the one thing LL doesn't want people to realize when it comes to umpires: paying umpires improves the chances that there is someone there who is competent.

quote:

Originally posted by Jimmy03:

quote:

Originally posted by fillsfan:
I enjoy watching the games but the two things that make me turn the channel after an inning or so are the lunatic parents and the strike zones.

Sometimes these kids have no chance of hitting the ball when a pitch a foot off the plate is a strike. I guess you have to give 12 yo kids a little wider zone but some of the zones are ridiculous. After couple of batters, and I have to go back to watching Storage Wars or American Pickers.

And does a parent really have to jump up and down and scream for 2 minutes when junior hits a single with nobody on base. Tough to watch.

I have to admit...some of the worst umpiring I've seen this year. LL needs to put performance above politics when assigning umpires to the WS.

Pretty hard to see where the ball hits the zone from the camera's perspective. Same in a major league game. Interesting when they superimpose the zone box and what looked like a strike to the viewer was actually a ball when it crossed the plate. And I don't believe that paying guys comes close to getting umpires to do it for the honor of the experience. Are there mistakes made, far and few between, but overall they are calling a pretty good series. I've seen worse in college and especially in HS.

Wow. I don't see the problem with parents at this event whooping it up for their kids and team. I'm sure for this venue it's even encouraged. These are little guys playing on ESPN and network TV for crying out loud. It's not your local tournament at the LL fields down the street. This is a big deal and a rare event for parents and kids. If I was there I'd be full throttle too. This is a week or more of celebrating youth baseball nationwide and who is going to sit in the stands on their thumbs when there kid gets a hit in any situation with millions watching. Have to say, when the LLWS is running I don't watch MLB. Very refreshing.

quote:

Originally posted by WinBuc44:
And I don't believe that paying guys comes close to getting umpires to do it for the honor of the experience.

There are plenty who would do it for free, but LL forbids any umpire who gets paid for any LL game to work Regionals or LLWS. They are not getting the best they can because of that short-sighted policy.

CAn WE SAY CHILLD Abuse

quote:

Originally posted by TRhit:
CAn WE SAY CHIlD Abuse

Really? The game I am watching between Japan and Mexico looks like a bunch of kids having a great time. What planet do you live on?

quote:

Originally posted by WinBuc44:

Pretty hard to see where the ball hits the zone from the camera's perspective. Same in a major league game. Interesting when they superimpose the zone box and what looked like a strike to the viewer was actually a ball when it crossed the plate. And I don't believe that paying guys comes close to getting umpires to do it for the honor of the experience. Are there mistakes made, far and few between, but overall they are calling a pretty good series. I've seen worse in college and especially in HS.

Thank God you aren't an umpire evaluator. Far and few between? In some games, every inning. Balls bouncing before being gloved by the catcher being called strikes...see that much in the CWS?

Base umpires making calls that belong to other umpires AND getting them wrong...

Horrible mechanics by Plate Umpires...stances that won't allow views of outside or low pitches...PU's calling the pitch before it hits the glove.

This is one of the worst years in LLWS umpiring since 2005. And it's a shame. It had been getting better.

Japan vs Mexico. Hell of a baseball game. Had everything. Absolutely great baseball.

quote:

Originally posted by Jimmy03:

quote:

Originally posted by WinBuc44:

Pretty hard to see where the ball hits the zone from the camera's perspective. Same in a major league game. Interesting when they superimpose the zone box and what looked like a strike to the viewer was actually a ball when it crossed the plate. And I don't believe that paying guys comes close to getting umpires to do it for the honor of the experience. Are there mistakes made, far and few between, but overall they are calling a pretty good series. I've seen worse in college and especially in HS.

Thank God you aren't an umpire evaluator. Far and few between? In some games, every inning. Balls bouncing before being gloved by the catcher being called strikes...see that much in the CWS?

Base umpires making calls that belong to other umpires AND getting them wrong...

Horrible mechanics by Plate Umpires...stances that won't allow views of outside or low pitches...PU's calling the pitch before it hits the glove.

This is one of the worst years in LLWS umpiring since 2005. And it's a shame. It had been getting better.

Jimmy...Probably won't hurt LL or anyone else's feelings if you watched another channel. As for me, I've been watching some pretty good 12 year old baseball. Sorry it's not up to MLB or CWS or your standards but good baseball non the less.

quote:

Originally posted by Matt13:
LL needs to allow its umpires to be paid. (Yes, I know umpires can be paid, but LL's selection criteria for regionals and WS...)

How do umpires get selected? Is it a lottery? Letter from congressman? Waiting list? Just show up with your clicker?

quote:

Originally posted by WinBuc44:

Jimmy...Probably won't hurt LL or anyone else's feelings if you watched another channel. As for me, I've been watching some pretty good 12 year old baseball. Sorry it's not up to MLB or CWS or your standards but good baseball non the less.

Who said anything about the players? Trying putting words in your own mouth.

I've enjoyed the heck out watching the kids play. It's just a shame that the umpiring, at times, is not up to their calibre.

quote:

How do umpires get selected? Is it a lottery? Letter from congressman? Waiting list? Just show up with your clicker?

Jimmy03 picks them. Seriously, I tuned in and caught the Japan/Mexico game...GREAT game. Those kids can play. The double play by Mexico in the top of the 6th was incredible.

quote:

I tuned in and caught the Japan/Mexico game...GREAT game. Those kids can play. The double play by Mexico in the top of the 6th was incredible.

That was a great game as both teams are talented. Mexico just looked to have a little more firepower, and made some defensive plays when needed.

Some of those parents are ......interesting. They've dressed like Halloween in Williamsport during the LLWS.

quote:

Originally posted by cf:
Everyone can bash LLWS tournament all they want, but that run was so much fun for the kids, families and community. Being involved in a tournament that you don't pay to get into and are playing with you friends that you have played with since tball is priceless!

It is little boys having the time of their life - don't over analyze it!

+1

quote:

Originally posted by Low Finish: …As for the LLWS, I hate watching it. …

I understand your reasons, but can’t you understand that kids are NOT miniature adults, and shouldn’t be expected to perform like MLB players! Heck, using your logic, you must not watch a lot of HS or college games either, because for sure all the things you seem to hate take place there as well. And let’s not forget that not all ML swings are picture perfect, nor are all ML players the same size and shape.

If I have the opportunity to watch a LLWS game or a MLB game not involving my favorite team, the LLWS game will get my viewing time. And unless there’s a lot of lying going on, there are plenty of MLB players and coaches who share my opinion. Its just kids having fun playing, and should be enjoyed as such.

I will admit though, that the gun readings and the constant comparison to MLB velocities serves no productive purpose, and I wish they’d eliminate them.

Is it "just kids having fun playing" or the original version of "reality TV"?

quote:

Originally posted by Stats4Gnats:

quote:

Originally posted by Low Finish: …As for the LLWS, I hate watching it. …

I understand your reasons, but can’t you understand that kids are NOT miniature adults, and shouldn’t be expected to perform like MLB players! Heck, using your logic, you must not watch a lot of HS or college games either, because for sure all the things you seem to hate take place there as well. And let’s not forget that not all ML swings are picture perfect, nor are all ML players the same size and shape.

If I have the opportunity to watch a LLWS game or a MLB game not involving my favorite team, the LLWS game will get my viewing time. And unless there’s a lot of lying going on, there are plenty of MLB players and coaches who share my opinion. Its just kids having fun playing, and should be enjoyed as such.

I will admit though, that the gun readings and the constant comparison to MLB velocities serves no productive purpose, and I wish they’d eliminate them.

I don't watch many HS games (mainly because the team is horrible). College games I like more, mainly because of the lack of pathetic errors and the apparent professionalism of the players.

I don't care about the radar gun readings. They serve no positive purpose. Little League will be (and always has been) unfair. It is unfair because of the grouping of kids on their chronological, rather than biological ages.

Although Kentucky was eliminated Griffin Mclarty is my favorite player this summer.I love the way he competes for such a young man, how he smiles and doesnt get upset with his teamates.He was a class act for such a young man, and very talented.

quote:

I don't care about the radar gun readings. They serve no positive purpose. Little League will be (and always has been) unfair. It is unfair because of the grouping of kids on their chronological, rather than biological ages.

It's not that LL is unfair but rather that they move the age cutoff up from August to May allowing for LL to beconme a 13U tournament as opposed to a 11-12 yr old tournament had the cutoff date been moved back to December instead. While I get that LL is a big deal for these kids and it represents what is a true world series, having 13 yr olds play on a pinball machine not exactly great baseball. It would be much better for the game itself if LL and the other organizations move back the cutoff age to prevent 13 yr olds to play on 60' diamonds. This game should be exclusive to the top 11-12 yr olds, not who can find the biggest 13 yr olds that can make the cutoff. Sure, you'll get some more developed 12 yr olds but it's better than piling on with even bigger 13's.

LL and the other orgs have to move the cut date backwards. There's no other way around it. Going back to less trampolined bats is a step in the right direction but more needs to be done to justify these kids playing on a 60' diamond.

I remember when they made the age change. The original problem was with kids who had birthdays in June and July. Local leagues were usually done by the end of June before some kids turned 12. So they never really had the chance to play as 12-year olds.

Unfortunately, it created a whole other problem.

quote:

Although Kentucky was eliminated Griffin Mclarty is my favorite player this summer.I love the way he competes for such a young man, how he smiles and doesnt get upset with his teamates.He was a class act for such a young man, and very talented.

fanofgame, Thanks for the kind words...Griffin is my nephew and we are very proud of him and all his teammates for their accomplishments this year on and off the field. Coach Brad Bates has done a wonderful job with all the boys, and it was enjoyable to watch the growth of the team over the past couple years.

I've paid more attention to the LLWS than ever this year since Griffin was playing in it, and have enjoyed all the games I've watched so far, although I do agree some of the called strikes are ridiculous (for ALL teams...)

One of the highlights for me was when ESPN interviewed the KY Catcher Jackson Mason after the PA game, and he said "I've always wanted to impress that many people, and I think I did."

Congratulations to the Players and Coaches from North Oldham Little League, and to all the other LLWS competitors!

quote:

quote:
I don't care about the radar gun readings. They serve no positive purpose. Little League will be (and always has been) unfair. It is unfair because of the grouping of kids on their chronological, rather than biological ages.

Last time I checked life is not fair.....

Is the minimum age for a kid to pitch in LL 8, or 9?

I dunno BOF, it seems to me that checking the kids' biological age monthly and moving the kids between age groups on a monthly basis makes perfect sense.

quote:

Originally posted by VaRHPmom:
I remember when they made the age change. The original problem was with kids who had birthdays in June and July. Local leagues were usually done by the end of June before some kids turned 12. So they never really had the chance to play as 12-year olds.

Unfortunately, it created a whole other problem.

The kids who didn't turn 12 yet would be eligible for the tournament the following year and even if they were only 11 and good enough, they still could've made the team depending on how the local leagues pick their all-stars.. I don't get the logic changing the cut date for that reason. Had they moved the date back to Dec 31, only 12 and under would be age eligible for the tournament and for the most part, kids would be playing in divisions with their classmates. Moving the date back makes the most sense, not up to May.

quote:

Originally posted by CADad:
I dunno BOF, it seems to me that checking the kids' biological age monthly and moving the kids between age groups on a monthly basis makes perfect sense.

Doing it monthly would be stupidity. Checking it (or having it checked by a doctor) when the kid registers would be ideal. It shouldn't happen more than twice a year.

LF,
Duh! But guess what kids make big time growth leaps over short time periods.

I guess it is a lot easier to pay a doctor to certify that a kid is younger biologically than they really are than to falsify a birth certificate. That should work out just great. Can't wait to see 16yo playing on 60' bases.

quote:

Originally posted by biggerpapi:
I watched one batter today.

Curveball
Curveball
Curveball
Curveball


I'm done.

There not gonna pitch past 16 like that.
Nuff said

Please Mr Umpire if a gb rolls up the 3rd baseline and bounces off the bag thats a pretty good indication of a fair ball.

quote:

Please Mr Umpire if a gb rolls up the 3rd baseline and bounces off the bag thats a pretty good indication of a fair ball.

No sh it!!!

Lol.

Just wait til they put a 'safe base' at third, too