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 Umpires Corner |
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Umpires for Major League Play
Little League umpires have one of the most difficult, and often thankless jobs.
Rule 9 covers umpire authorities and responsibilities. It is important to remember that umpires are present to provide both teams an equal opportunity to win the game under the rules. They are responsible for making decisions based on the rules but guided in what they believe that they have observed. Not everyone will see the same things even while looking at the same events.
Remember that while discussions about rule interpretations are perfectly legitimate if done so in a mature manner, arguments or questioning of an umpires judgement call is not permissible (Rule 9.02(a)). This includes, but is not limited to fair or foul, balls and strikes, safes and outs.
Lastly, Rule 9.02(c) states: "No umpire shall criticize, seek to reverse or interfere with another umpire's decision unless asked to do so by the umpire making the call". Plainly stated, the home plate umpire cannot over rule a fellow umpire unless asked to do so by the umpire who made the call. Don't look to the home plate umpire to do so.
For adults participating in and those watching the game, remember that there are impressionable children learning from your actions. Teach them to be good sports, even if life seems momentarily unfair. Little League Baseball is a wonderful place for our children to learn real life lessons if given the right guidance by the coaching staff and the parents.
Be nice, play ball!!
Lighter Note
Umpiring is one job where the first day you are expected to be perfect, and then improve every day after that.....
"Umpire's heaven is a place where he works third base every game. Home is where the heartache is" ML Umpire Ron Luciano
"Any umpire who claims that he has never missed a play is, well, and umpire"! Ron Luciano
"We aren't the main act. We are the judges and cops of baseball. We're bonded together because we wear the same uniform. And because we've been yelled at, screamed at, and called everything from gutter rot to horse manure, we stick together."
"Ideally, the umpire should combine the integrity of a Supreme Court judge, the physical ability of an acrobat, the endurance of Job, and the imperturbability of Buddha" (TIME Magazine, 8/25/61)
"Let's face it. Umpiring is not an easy or happy way to make a living. In the abuse they suffer, and the pay they get for it, you see an imbalance that can only be explained by their need to stay close to the game they can't resist". Bob Uecker
"Just take the ball and throw it where you want to. Throw strikes! Home plate don't move". Satchel Paige
"They can hollar at the uniform all they want, but when they hollar at the man wearing the uniform, they're in trouble". ML Umpire Joe Brinkman
"When elephants fight, its that grass that suffers"
"Coach, are we just playing for fun now?"... Question asked by a 12 year old boy when his team had time to play a couple more innings after a regular game had ended.
"I don't want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to go chase it". Roger Hornsby
"Little League Baseball is a good thing 'cause it keeps the parents off the street and it keeps the kids out of the house!" Yogi Berra
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PSWLL Umps attend District 2 Training
District 2 Umpires held 2 training clinics for volunteer umpires. Attending the first clinic were Kyle White, Antonio de los Heros, Edwardo de los Heros and Jack Shirkey. Look for these young men at our minors games.
The umps received 4 hours of classroom training on rules and 4 hours on the field making calls in various situations.
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