ASA Umpires at Cleveland Metro DO IT RIGHT!!!

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We had our Metro A thks week end and the best thing that happened is the local UIC decide against providing umpires at 10:30 pm Tuesday night. ?Thanks?Butch? and I mean it. We had the best umpires at any tournament I can remember, and we played at the national B last year. Yes Ron Sanders group of 8, actually called catch when the ball was caught in the outfield, told you why it was a ball, low, outside etc., and shouted out why the player was safe i.e. tagged to high. Kept the game under control with information. The other two groups from Masillion and East Liverpool did an outstanding job. Gentlemen for two days I was in fast pitch heaven even with losing 4 games. We lost to other teams, not because of the umpiring. Can?t wait to have you back. And thanks Ron Sanders you are one in a million.

Tom Burke
JO Commissioner
Cleveland Metro

 

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Unfortunately Tom, you wouldn't be the first tournament that a UIC either pulled out at the last minute, demanded more money, or that we hire more umpires.

 

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Sounds like you had a good thing going in northeastern Ohio last weekend! It's great that you seem to have that dedicated core of officials handling games up there.

I just have one question about your post. When you say they "told you why it was a ball, low, outside, etc." are you referring to the plate umpire making that "low/outside" comment without being asked, as a normal part of his ball/strike calling routine?

If so, that is a poor mechanic that the ASA umpire manual specifically says the umpire should refrain from doing.

Now, if you meant that the umpire would answer a coach or catcher's question after a pitch, that is a different story. An umpire should do that, as long as they aren't asking about EVERY pitch or using this as a means to question the umpire's judgement.

 

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You are correct our catcher was asking, but generally we don't get this.