We played an ASA tourney this weekend where the old man behind the plate actually told our catcher that she had to move out of the way (apparently her head was in his way) so he could see the pitch.
We, as well, played an ASA/USA tourney this weekend. Now i have to give props to the 80-year-old ump for being put there, but when the field umpire stopped the game to YELL at our catcher and coach, for checking with the plate ump on the location of the pitch, AND why it was a ball? I asked why the field ump wasnt behind the plate If he was that bothered by it, and i was told it was because the older ump couldnt move around the field.
Now i appreciate the field ump protecting grandpa, but since when is it against the rules to inquire about a pitch to the plate ump?
We have played all three divisions, USSSA, NSA, and ASA. I have to say - there is NO comparison in the umping. ASA has been the absolute WORST! It wasnt just grandpa's game. The blatant bad calls from the field umpires were just as bad as actually having NO STRIKE ZONE. My daughter is a young pitcher, been pitching 3 years in select travel, but still very young. I still have to try and remind her to adjust to the wild strike zones of the umps. It is mentally a battle for her, as she knows what she has been taught and Where NOT To pitch it, but these umps almost force them to pitch straight down the middle to get ? strike! She throws very accurate movement pitches most of the time, but it is pitiful th?se ASA umps cannot call them, because they evidently dont know what to look for.