LL WORLD SERIES thread

It just wouldn't be summer without.......................... a LL world series thread!

any thoughts? some really good defensive plays have caught my eye.

The Little League organization really has it going I'd say.

Umping has been, well ..........???? I noticed they have introduced some process for instant replay reviews.

 

Replay thoughts

All I can say is that instant replay is doing the following:

1) making ALL umpires look bad as a whole profession

2) going to lead to the implementation of a project that has been in the works for years with some NASA and TECH experts.

The game of baseball in the future will be called by a GPS satellite system that will make all the calls to include balls and strikes as well as all the safe and out calls on the bases via the scoreboard.

3) caused me to retire from umpiring!

 

California team is impressive and my pick to win it all.

As for the umpiring, hey its only little league and they repeatedly talk about how these umps are all volunteers and not getting paid a dime.

With that said, because its the WORLD SERIES, you would think they would pay to get the very best umpires they could, which would only serve to be more fair to the players (both pitchers and hitters). These lenient strikezones are really unfair to the hitters who couldn't reach some of the called strikes with a 10 ft pole.

 

Be prepared to swing!

The LL World Series has adopted the "Gotta get the game finished in 2-hour" strike zone rules!

 

Hey, sometimes I wish HS umpires would do the same thing...

 

Tonight's GA/PA game should be good. Studs vs hometown heroes.

 

PA has some studs on that team too now.....I think the West is very good but Mexico has 3 very good arms and I think it will be the West vs. Mexico in the championship game...

 

Great venue...fantastic in every way. I have been there twice and it's a real memory maker for sure. Makes a great father/son road trip when the son is in that age group (11-12). That being said, I sense that the ESPN factor is changing things in subtle, but noticeable ways:

• Players mugging for the camera at every opportunity, trying to get some face time or even better on SportsCenter. I have never seen so many dancing 12 year olds....most I have seen over the years would probably run from the dance floor at age 12
• Coaches giving pep talks on the mound that come straight out of Disney...they know they are miked and the best way to get Karl Ravech or Brent Musberger to gush over you is to be the syrupy sweet encourager (I suspect they are less syrupy when they are not wearing a mike)
• Instant replay is going to raise the pressure on MLB
• Umpires are struggling with the crowds, pressure and ESPN cameras everywhere...they have enough opportunity to be second guessed at your run of the mill weekend tournament or Legion game, but this scrutiny and replay/challenge option must be making it tough for them to do their best. Just saw a field umpire call a ground ball that hit the base a foul ball...ouch!

 

oh no say it ain't so.....

that really disappoints me; I was under the impression that all LL coaches must pass a test to be syrupy sweet all the time, even the ones that never end up in the Williamsport limelight.

Mexico looks very good.

 

what is it going to take for little league to go to 50 /70 baseball for 11 and 12s?

after the line-drive back to the West pitcher (cap-bill shot)

you just have to wonder