55mom
You obviously read something into my post that wasn't there. I made it very clear that my son has been struggling at the plate. He was the hitter in this situation not the pitcher, so I'm not sure why you are discussing the need for pitchers to adjust to the zone. It's obvious that hitters need to and I made it very clear that he didn't do that.
Irritated? Maybe a little. Will this be the one I talk about forever? Very, very unlikely. I simply asked an opinion of other posters if the umpire's comment was unprofessional. Several posters who are umpires indicated that yes, in their opinion, he was unprofessional.
I have many, many great memories including ones in which we as fans joked around with an umpire before, and after, a state championship game. That is the one I will talk about forever. He was funny, personable and able to take a little ribbing. I will also remember the games where I don't even remember the umpire! As a previous poster stated, that is when you know they called a great game.
So please, do not insinuate that I am one of those that only remember the bad things. You really have no idea.
Ok so I should not go here. So, the ump says he's been calling it there all night. We all agree that consistency is great in umpiring. However, say it bounces and the ump calls it consistently. Do we then tell our hitters that this is now a strike? I just can't understand why umpires don't call the book strike whatever it is. I had an intense disagreement on another board over this. My daughter played in a DH where the umpire called a strike on her so far outside that the catcher could not catch the ball. I am not exaggerating at all. My daughter was beside herself over this. Later, she hit a bomb that he called foul. It was not within 20 feet of the foulpole. That was the single most umprofessional I have ever seen an umpire work. The pitcher for the other team was averaging 6 walks per game and had an era of over 6. She threw both games of the dh, didn't walk anyone and didn't give up a run. Not hard to do given ...
OK, forgive me for a classless post.
OK, forgive me for a classless post.
quote:Originally posted by cb12:
55mom
You obviously read something into my post that wasn't there. I made it very clear that my son has been struggling at the plate. He was the hitter in this situation not the pitcher, so I'm not sure why you are discussing the need for pitchers to adjust to the zone. It's obvious that hitters need to and I made it very clear that he didn't do that.
Irritated? Maybe a little. Will this be the one I talk about forever? Very, very unlikely. I simply asked an opinion of other posters if the umpire's comment was unprofessional. Several posters who are umpires indicated that yes, in their opinion, he was unprofessional.
I have many, many great memories including ones in which we as fans joked around with an umpire before, and after, a state championship game. That is the one I will talk about forever. He was funny, personable and able to take a little ribbing. I will also remember the games where I don't even remember the umpire! As a previous poster stated, that is when you know they called a great game.
So please, do not insinuate that I am one of those that only remember the bad things. You really have no idea.
sorry, really didn't address your original post... should have quoted the few posts I did address that were speaking in generalities.
I don't believe an umpire should talk to the batter in that manner - unless the batter asked about the strike zone.
quote:Originally posted by luv baseball:quote:Originally posted by Jeff Connell:
LuvBaseball, I understand but disagree. If you are going to make a point with a batter. Then just say it. You made up your own rules and that is not right either. I understand it is part of baseball some would say but you said to a 10 year old by your actions that the umpire doesn't have to live by the rules. He can make them up as he goes along. Give a warning and call the game the way it is suppose to be called.
Things like this is when umpires get a bad name and players don't respect them. If you expect the player to respect you then respect the game and the player and call it by the rules not the way you think it should be called.
Jeff - Fair enough. I will disagree with you that the strike zone is the strike zone based on the level of play. If I called the same strike zone at most 10 year old Rec leagues that gets used at a HS game the ball would rarely get hit. They don't have enough control to hit the zone consistently so in order to keep the game moving anything borderline goes the pitchers way. Anyone who'd want it to be different justs needs to stand and watch a 75 pitch inning where there are 11 walks and the bat is swung 5 times to know what it would mean if the zone's were not slightly expanded.
If that means I am making up rules and that I am risking respect of the coaches/parents/partners etc. it hasn't been a problem for me yet. Not going to the majors but 95%+ of my games come and go without incident and I am one of the thousands of faceless/nameless guys behind the mask doing our best to keep games organized and moving so the kids get to play the game. Admittedly some days better than others.
Go back and read it. I did not question an expanded strike zone. I questioned you saying that you were making a point to the player by calling a strike no matter where it went. I have seen this and I have a major problem with it. You are teaching kids, whether 10 or high school that the ump can call what he wants. If you want to make a point, as many have said, say something to the coach in front of the kid and then call the next pitch where it is thrown. Don't punish him because a 10 year old "showed you up." No way a 10 year old should be able to show up a grown man. Be the adult and deal with the coach. Not questioning your ability to call but you gave the example. I'm sure you are one of the good guys. But the example you gave is not the way umps should deal with kids.