Llws

[kseig]

I know this is a bat forum but I'm sure most of you are watching the tournament. I just have to get something off my chest. Some of the strikes being called against these kids is just a shame. I just saw a left handed batter get called out on a pitch that was in the middle of the right handers batters box. I rewound and paused the pitch because I just couldn't believe it. It has been horrible every game I have watched

[slimdickens]

I to have noticed a few questionable calls, but thats baseball. I have watched all kinds of age groups and that is just something that a team has to go thru. It doesnt seem to be effecting the games to much. As long as the umps arent deciding games then questionable calls are something that has to be dealt with. Umping aint easy thats for sure and no matter how good an ump is there is always someone sitting in the stands or at home yelling at what an idiot you are.

[cps]

Hey slim, are you an ump?

[jayhawk]

Yes, my wife, my son and I noticed the "huge" strike zone. But we know, thats the way some umpires call it. I do get a kick out of the umpire that is so animated with calling a strike. He strikes the "archer" pose and pumps when he yells, "str---ike!:D

[D_wats]

At almost all the travel torments we've played this year they call the outside pitch for a strike. Almost into the opposite batter's box. Up and down and inside seem fine, but some of the calls on the outside of the plate the batter would have to lunge at to have a chance of making contact.

[kseig]

I get the feeling slim is an ump too. I don't like to knock the umps. There is no way I would do it. I know they need to expand the strike zone for little league because there would be a ton of walks and the games would take forever. I'm just saying there is no way these kids can hit that pitch that is in the other batters box, and it doesn't seem fair.

The ump for this NY-Texas game is calling a good game.

[slimdickens]

Nope Im not an ump but have spent alot of time pulling my hair out at umps calls the past few years watching my sons games. Heck here they let kids ump games in both tournaments and league games and some games are just pathetic. The umps at the LLWS are better than I have watched all year.

[cps]

I have seen my share bad calls as well. I have actually twice witnessed a ball bounce off of home plate that was called a strike.

[travishp]

I've almost felt like the strike zone is inside batters box line to batters box line,
and ankles to shoulders. But I have to admit it's been consistent that way throughout.
ESPN seems to have made a concerted effort never to question the strike zone while
almost every inning re-emphasizing that these are volunteer umps. But don't get me
started on what seems to have been an extraordinary number of curve balls thrown
and Hersheisers coverage of such.

[tom2p]

The strike zone in many LL orgs is knees to chest and one width of the ball outside the inside and outside batters box. Strike zone in some orgs will include the bottom of the knees to the bottom of the shoulders.
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If the strike zone is too small, the games will take forever due to the large number of walks.
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And just about any strike zone is going to look big when compared to the tiny strike zone in MLB.
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Unfortunately, I have spent some time behind the plate in our org - with the younger groups - before they reach the age when certified umps are behind the plate. And it is a totally thankless job - I left the field a couple of times with a terrible feeling because of an issue with an inconsiderate parent or coach (almost never posessing 'real' knowledge).
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