USSSA Umps

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With all the bashing of umpires that goes on this site, I have to give props to the umpires down at the USSSA Southern State this weekend. They were excellent. Very consistent with the strike zones, even if some liked the inside corner more than others. It would only take us maybe an inning to learn what they liked and didn't like. And, they didn't change every inning.

I did not see any blatant missed calls, and they were all very friendly and engaging.

Terry - please pass this on to them.

Thanks.

 

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Tod,

Absolutely have to agree w/ you on the umpiring. They did a great job.

Also have to give props to Terry & his groundscrew for the way they handled all the rain Friday night / Saturday morning & even w/ that, were able to give everyone their 4GG!!!

 

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I agree with Tod & Kavin.
The umps were very professional and consistent.
Great facility with a ton of shade!

Nice job Terry & crew.


Sean
CO Ice 97

 

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Disagree! I guess we got the bad apples out of the bunch! Our Saturday game and our second pool game was the worst ever! The rest was fine. By the way Static, buckeye heat, and co ice 97 played great all weekend!

 

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We played USSSA in Toledo this weekend, and was pretty happy for the most part. I liked that they had the coaches rate the umps on their performance each game. Only had one bad ump the entire weekend.

 

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The Indiana Summer Showcase Tournament (ISST) went USSSA this year and the umpires were pretty good. They seemed to get in correct position to make the calls and then made them. There was some heated discussions but they seemed to maintain order and not loose control of the game. Overall I was pleasantly surprised. As more umpires are recruited and the coaches learn their rules the noise should drop to a bare whisper. They were on time to start the games and didn't waste much time during the game. They were well dressed, respectful and professional.

A few of the venues were running ahead of schedule. A major rule difference was to finish the inning which I liked as a coach but as a TD was skeptical about being able to keep the tournament on a schedule. This was not as difficult as I thought it might be.

Since this is my first experience with the USSSA I was pleased form both the perspective of a TD and a coach.

 

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I would definitely have to disagree. Funny since you mentioned this Buckeye. First off let me give props to your team. Wow! What a great hitting team from top to bottom, saw no weakness at all. I won't get into many specifics about the terrible calls, but I would like to ask the umps what the harm is in asking for help from the other ump if you had a bad position? Why say you are certain of what you saw when everyone there knows you saw it wrong? Fortunately none and I repeat none of the bad calls cost us a game, but the terrible call at 2nd base when we were playing the Buckeye Heat 97 sure killed what could have been the start of a little rally (although probably would have been too little too late against the great pitcher you had).

By the way, who won the championship between you and Static? Wanted to stay around and watch but the Mrs. wanted to get back home since DD was done playing.

 

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Daddy O,

Thanks for the kind words about our hitting. Unfortunately, our defense and bats disappeared in the championship. You guys came back quick on us in that last inning and really starting smacking the ball around. I didn't have the angle to see the "transfer" that the ump said happened. I thought it was a great call! I tried to put a smiley face here, but my iPhone won't let me.

Anyway, it was a good game and hope to see you around.

But, I also should have said that the Static may have had something to do with our performance in the last game.

Anyway, off-topic, the Static and BH97 are going to be one pretty good rivalry this year and the years to come in the 97 age bracket.

 

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Tod,

Very much agree. Its the kind of rivalry you want to have: each team respects one another, as well as the parents, & of course the coaching staffs. Every time we play you guys, you make us better!!!!

See you this weekend @ Lasers - we'll be cheering you on!!!

 

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we all need to realize that with SO many games, and so few umpires that are going to be glitches, and some bad umps. Tune-up had Metro Umpire association reviewing and listening to criticism off the umpire ratings.Plus some of those umps are doing a lot of games.

all and all, usually, umpires don't decide a game, our play does. JMO

 

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Kavin,

It is going to be good. Two other things happened that interested me. Your pitcher, who plunked three of our girls in the pool game, came up and apologized and made sure they were ok after you guys won the championship. That was great. And then one of our pitchers (nameless) plunked one of yours that she knows and likes, and they were both smiling after it happened. All the pitchers trying to own the whole plate. Good stuff!

And, lastly, my wife overhearing you say that win was special because you beat us. It makes it good for all of us, and can't wait until the next time!

 

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Yes that is good stuff. I have the utmost respsect for you guys & the great team you have. Anytime you are fortunate enough to get a win against a talented team - it is aspecial.

 

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Buckeye,
Hopefully we will be seeing you around, which more than likely means we will be playing late on Sundays because I know you guys will be. And hats off to the Static because if they beat you then I am sure they are a very good team also. Both of you being 97's I can only imagine how good you will be in a few more years, if you can keep the girls together. Definitely was an eye opener to our girls as to some things they need to work on. Take Care!

 

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Personally, I think the USSSA umpires at this tournament were better than the ASA umpires at the ASA/USA in Kettering the prior week. Overall, I think the umpires did a fine job. Sure, some mistakes were made, but If I see this quality of umpiring at our remaining tournaments I could definitely deal with it.

Len

 

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In one of our pool games that my dd pitched, the umpire explained to her after the game how he had called a high pitch a strike (that may or may not have been ) and couldn't change it after he did it. So for the entire game, both ways, he called that pitch a strike. Then he told her, "but your smart, you knew that!" :lmao: She told him she was and understood! To funny. The umpires were great all weekend. Very friendly and fun!

 

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In one of our pool games that my dd pitched, the umpire explained to her after the game how he had called a high pitch a strike (that may or may not have been ) and couldn't change it after he did it. So for the entire game, both ways, he called that pitch a strike. Then he told her, "but your smart, you knew that!" :lmao: She told him she was and understood! To funny. The umpires were great all weekend. Very friendly and fun!

Not really an ideal way to handle this. If you miss one pitch, then you miss one pitch- it happens. But just because you missed one pitch doesn't mean you should adjust your strike zone for the entire game! Now, instead of making one mistake, you will be making dozens of them throughout the game!

Glad to hear that everyone seems mostly happy with their umpires at this tourney. But that can all turn bad on one call that doesn't go your way.

I have seen terrible umpires slide through games just because they didn't happen to be put in any tough positions during that game. Call it the luck of the draw or the law of averages. Sometimes you'll just happen to have games, or strings of games, where there aren't any close calls and a particular umpire's shortcomings don't happen to be exposed.

On the other hand, I've seen good umpires get crucified for making a call that one team didn't like, even when it was 100% the correct call.

During this past week I've umpired a dozen games and for the most part they went smoothly. But there was one game, with one team, where they were probably convinced that I was the worst umpire in the world! Not because I missapplied any rules, or really blew any calls. There just happened to be several close calls that didn't go their way- even though I am satisfied that they were the correct calls. Adding to their frustration was the fact that they were getting beat badly (which was their own fault, through numerous errors, poor pitching and a lack of hitting). I ended up ejecting one of their players and one of their coaches this game (totally deserved for arguing calls and unsportsmanlike behavior).

This team later complained to the TD about how the umpires had "cost them the game". They were run-ruled! But it's always easier to blame your failures on somebody else besides yourself.

 

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Bretman, funny you mention an umpire get crucified for making a correct call. We had a play in our game this weekend where the runner plowed my 2nd baseman while she was fielding a grounder. She recoverd and got the girl out at 1st. The umpire had called interference on the play so we had a double play. The first base coach argued for 10-15 minutes that the "base line" was the runner's and the fielder had to make room. After the inning was over he spent another 10 minutes "educating" the umpires on their mistake. Keep in mind this was a 60 minute drop dead game!!! It was surely entertaining.

 

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Got a question for you. Dropped 3rd strike, runner hesitates not knowing it was a dropped strike. Coach yells run and she takes off. Ball actually deflected off catcher and was rolling down 1st base line, as runner leaves box, catcher actually dives into runners legs, they get tangled catcher comes up with ball and makes bad throw to 1st. Runner makes it to 1st safely but is called out for interference with catcher. Ump said she did not get out of way and let catcher make play. Keep in mind this was bang bang and there was absolutely no time or possible way for runner to get out of way. I say incidental contact and play on. What say everyone else?

 

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I'll venture a guess and say it is not interference because it is not a batted ball.

 

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I say no interference play on and I seen some bad calls this weekend but overall decent blue at Beavercreek. Horrible strike calls were made 6" outside the outside corner and I was sitting right behind the plate and he stopped the game 2 minutes early and called game...so one bad blue rest were fine.