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Very simple, we do not have the kids to sustain a team on our own. They get there own team and we are out... so what did league gain? The tussey mountain kids would no longer be zoned to us as per the rules of legion baseball... They would have to go to central or whichever zone connects to them on the other side. You always have to find some reason to bark and b..ch. .... You want to critique my coaching and tell me I am a horrible coach... then by all means... FIRE AWAY.. I might tend to agree with you at times, but as far as this other stuff enough is enough. PS I have also clearly let you know who I am.... how about Mr. critic reveal yourself with all your expert opinions and analysis's.

We are waiting Say oww !!

Who am I? I am obviously not good enough to be an umpire. My identity doesn't matter because I am not defending or protecting my interests in my posts. Rather, I offer opinions and insights to make every area in which I travel a chance to have a more level playing field. If you don't like it, ignore it. It seems that its when someone hits a nerve with a true statement that people take things personally.

My replies aren't to defend my coaching ability or things like that... they are fair game for anyone that wants to have an opinion... my replies are to defend my integrity !!! You want to look at someone that has hurt legion baseball... look at Pa. legion reps as a whole... Pa. has lost 53 legion baseball teams in the last 2 years... 31 last year alone and from reading in another forum, many of them are because of the added expense of using wood bats. Do I like wood bats ... yes but with that being said, it is a very un necessary expense at this age level. This is primarily a high school aged league and they still use BBCOR there and even in college so not sure the understanding there. We broke 27 wood bats last year alone ( yes, I know, probably poor coaching on my part...lol)

you are calling other people, but yet when you are called out you hide behind a screen name. All I am saying is that if you are not an umpire yourself, How can you say somebody else is a bad one when you, yourself can't do it yourself?? That is being a hypocrite who hides and runs his mouth.

dadw/2sons wrote:you are calling other people, but yet when you are called out you hide behind a screen name. All I am saying is that if you are not an umpire yourself, How can you say somebody else is a bad one when you, yourself can't do it yourself?? That is being a hypocrite who hides and runs his mouth.

Not calling ppl out... Simply pointing out the flaws in the system, and the general lack of leadership in regards to fair play in many of the leagues I travel. Oh yeah, I do say umpires suck, but I am fair and unbiased because I say all of them suck. If they could coach, they would - but most see it as another way to make a quick buck while most of the coaches out there do it for free. No hiding behind screen names on that. Even the umpires in the professional ranks suck. It is a mentality that as a player and coach you must take because if you don't then they will ruin your game. Do I know guys who are umpires? Yeah. Are they nice guys? Most of them. They just can't judge balls and strikes very good and dictate the outcome of the game. Therefore - they suck!

The problem with umps and officials is that too many of them have never played the game they officiate. All you have to do is pass a multiple choice test to become a official. Officiating would improve if they had to have proof of participating in the sport. Too many little things happen in games that unless you have been there and done that you have no idea how it affects a game. For instance I watched a Legion game yesterday where the pitcher balked at least 4 or 5 times and was never called , I don't think the umps knew the rule. The pitcher would come set and then move his glove 4-5 inches trying to get his grip.

SayOww , I agree with you that there are some bad officials out there but not all officials suck. I would bet most of the bad officials never played the sport and the better officials did.

Exactly! Things such as the strike zone expanding greatly for the winning team during the last inning or two in a blowout. Not knowing how to call infractions such as balks or obstructions. I could go on and on but the bastardization of the strike zone is the biggest crime in sports. Know matter where I go from 16yrs and up I routinely watch catchers pull their gloves in 5-6 inches and umps award these calls for strikes. First off, at the upper levels, that is not supposed to be rewarded with a strike call. In fact, pro catchers are taught not to do that because professional umps will call the reverse on you. At least the ones who notice it.

Incompetence or suck factor, umpires are a necessary evil. Too bad we can't just have a questec system at home plate and do away with them all together. The strike zone is supposed to be the same every time on every single pitch and not determined by a guy with a certification from a cracker jack box and 2hr time limit who is in a rush to go home and watch CSI. If you knew how many times at all levels I see guys who say to me 'You know where I call them". Well, its not meant for interpretation.

Bagman I agree with you 100 %. Taking and passing a multiple choice test should NOT be the requirement to become an official in any sport. As Say-ow has figured out, I am an official/umpire for 4 sports. I have played most of those sports or have been around them for over 20 years, so I feel that I do know the games I officiate. However, I do know of people that have do not have the background experience. The PIAA is the worst organization I have ever been associated with. I am an official, a coach, and a fan of high school sports for over 30 years and you want to talk about people who are only in sports for the money then these people should be at the top of everybody's list of people from the public to hate them. The organization is more at fault then the individuals who actually call the game. That is my opinion