A word about Blue...

Yes, this was a good discussion. I've known Anon for a number of years. He knows how I feel about him, but as far as recognition, they both get it on the board---it's called respect.

But I will think of something special

 

I'm good Braves....just keep my back and that's fine.

 

Just do your job!

As a game official it is your job to call the game which you are assigned AND PAID TO CALL! It is NOT your job to critique the quality of the teams competing. If you do not like the level of play then you should work another level. Next time the MLB calls you, you should take the call. Just tell them that you won't call the Nationals games....championship contenders only for you!

 

Not questioning any one in particular - nor the rotation but trying to understand the positions - Whose responsibility is it to detect a batter who steps "out of the batter's box"? Typically, I have seen the home plate umpire call a batter out for stepping on the plate on an attempted bunt - but a coach was told last night "by a plate umpire" that he could not watch for players stepping out of the box - his job was to call balls and strikes?

BTW - we did learn last week at Alexander County that "Charlie Knows!!!" from a very dedicated fan. Don't know Charlie personally but have enjoyed watching him call the games - we've even used that card a time or two since and Charlie just grins and keeps on umping!!!!

 

I know that Fish is frustrated, not necessarily by inferior talent (although that's a concern, too) at the showcase level, but more by some of the coaches of those teams. Most of the elite showcase teams are coached by professionals---guys who have been doing this at a high level, many with a ton of experience. Most know the rules and what is worth arguing, but the teams put together by a parent and are most times coached by that parent have very little knowledge of the rules...and it frustrates the umpires to hear chirping from someone that has no clue.

It was not always this way. Showcase baseball is an "elite" brand of baseball. If it wasn't, college and pro scouts wouldn't go to watch. However, most tournaments are about the money----how many teams can we field? Can we get 50? or a 100? At $500+ per team it doesn't take long to figure out what drives those tournaments. And the quality of play has suffered accordingly.

We've all seen this before with LL-AAU. And when Johnny didn't get invited to make a particular team...bam...daddy found one....his!!!!!!

At this level of baseball, I just wish it wasn't that way. College scouts come to these tournaments to watch players that are college recruits. Most won't even attend a game that features a highly talented team vs Joe's Sanitation Services. There is nothing to gain from watching it. However, each year more teams are formed and the competition at the tournaments are lessened.

Showcase baseball is for those that have the talent to showcase it in front of scouts. It was not designed for just anybody to play. It's an elite brand of baseball for those elite players with college or pro skills. If you don't have those skills...save your money and apply it to something more helpful for your son. Whether people want to admit it or not, not every HS kid that plays baseball have the skills to play at the next level. If you don't know if your son does, invest your money to find out. It will be money well spent.

Each year I get swamped with PM's and met at ballgames where a parent asks me what they can do about their son's lack of attention from scouts. In some cases it's simply because he doesn't have the talent...and that bothers me because the son is being set up for failure. Instead of enjoying playing the game, he is stressed because he has not been contacted. Then he has to hear from his teammates all the attention they are receiving. It's gotten crazy. But if someone wants to spend their money, there is always a director willing to take it.

Several years ago I was sitting with a parent. He told me his son would be attending a D1 school. I said, "wow...that's great, which one?" He said they didn't know yet, but after their son went 2-4 against Madison Bumgarner then he should at least be a mid-major D1 hitter. "If he can hit Madison, then he can hit major college pitching" Hard to argue that logic, but I knew his son was going to be disappointed if he believed that. As it turned out the son did go to college, but didn't play baseball and he's having the time of his life.

I just urge everybody to take a realistic approach if your plan is for your son to play beyond HS. It ain't for everybody...even those with the skill set. The demands are enormous and goes way beyond just talent. Don't get caught up in a trap...get caught up with your son. Maybe he just wants to "play" baseball. I love those kind of kids---they make great coaches.

Whew...glad i got that off my chest!!!!!!!

 

When you get to the fork in the road, take it.

So many "mini threads" in your post Braves.

I know there is a huge lack of qualified coaches to cover all of the needs of baseball wannabe's. I applaud Dad's who want to share a special bond with their kids by coaching them. IMO, that bond should stop no later than age 14, and that's pushing it. Dads coaching kids older than 14 should be coaching OTHER people's kids ONLY if they are qualified.

How to know if your kid has what it takes? Ask someone who is not in a position to financially benefit from the answer. There are many high school coaches who will give you a straight answer. If you are a DAD, truly a Dad who cares about his son, go get that answer. When? I think the answer depends on the kid, but my feeling is 16.

What if a league had a rule that Dad's could coach, but they couldn't coach their own kid or be a coach in the league his kid is in....wouldn't that be nice! How about a rule that you can only cheer for someone else's kid - and no parent may belittle or ridicule his child at or near the ballfield (shouldn't anywhere).

Here's a shocker.... NO ONE knows what a 12 year old will be like when he is 16! NO ONE. You can have a strong hunch, but there are many flip/flops between 12 and 18 years of age. That skinny 12 year old that can't find a hat that fits and struggles to get the ball across the diamond may turn out to be a 6'4" flamethrower that hits bombs at 16.

Sorry to go down the other "fork" in the road --- but it was there for the taking.

 

I know...the can was open, so I let out the worms. I'm not trying to belittle parents, but trying to make a point that Showcase baseball is not for everyone... and starting new teams is not the answer.

 

Good insight.

Braves, I continue to marvel at your ability to make a point and remain soooo kind in your words. You are correct in the point that Showcase Baseball is not for everyone. You will get no argument from me on that. The comment I made in response to "fish-ump" was to say that the umpire is paid to call the game, PERIOD! Fish is not being paid to be the talent judge of the teams competeing. My son plays in the SW4A and our non-conference schedule takes us to schools that are not baseball strong. Does Fish just go through the motions and "collect his check" if he gets the South Meck vs. Harding game? The EM vs. Vance game this year was a miserable blowout by EM but the Vance kids competed every pitch. They were not laying down they were just over matched. By Fish's philosophy of what he is being paid to do, he should be allowed a certain level of incompetence because the competition is unbalanced. Give me a break!

 

I understand completely what you mean and I don't disagree. However, I do know Fish and even though his post came across that way, I don't believe that's what he intended. From an umpire's perspective, I believe he was referring more to the people that frustrate him---the daddyball coaches. It's why he got involved with showcase baseball. The experience (more to the point the understanding of baseball rules) is greater and the respectometer between coach and umpire is better.

I've never heard Fish belittle a player, so I doubt that's his intention. But I have heard him mention a player that's made a fool of himself---and those guys come in all forms of talent.

I would like to comment about the games featuring a Providence vs Garinger type game. Although nothing can be done about it other than not scheduling those games, I don't like them. I appreciate and admire the players for giving a great effort and never quitting, but if the opposing team must make a mockery of the game by batting opposite handed, stretching triples into doubles, strike zones are either wider or smaller depending who is batting, no advancing on passed balls, etc...that's cheating the game, so yeah, I don't like it. Can you imagine Butler football telling the QB to throw it opposite handed or tell the RB if he is in the clear to fall down? No, that's a mockery. Just play your reserves and tell them to play it straight up. That's how your opponent can gain some respect. Any other way is a joke and no one can walk off the field with their head held high.

hahaha....did I stay on topic (a word to Blue)

 

Charlie Henry is regarded as one of the best umpires in our state. No one is held at a higher esteem by the coaches. He is fair, consistent, works hard and is approachable. Yet, this is a day in the life of Charlie Henry:

“A guy that sits outside their dugout (scorekeeper I guess) that had the count wrong. Bases loaded and the count was 3-2 on my sheet. Charlie Henry signaled 3-2. Everyone had 3-2 except the scoreboard. Ball 4 walks in a run and they are bitching and screaming to tag the runner out. Charlie explained the call and this guy RAGES and wasn’t ejected.

A kid was ejected in the first for arguing balls and strikes. Actually, he was rung up on what was pretty clearly strike three and turned to Charlie Henry and said "that’s bullshit and you know it."

I guess Charlie didn't want another Pineville/Cherryville situation so he was afraid to police this like it should have been done.

Another thing, Charlie Henry is the only black umpire left in this area. Everyone knows his name. People cuss him by name and he cant do anything about it. He must love the game, because if he is that glutton for punishment I cant imagine why he does it otherwise.”

This is something one of the best umpires is subjected to. No wonder some of them acquire a short fuse. It takes a very special person to remain as a good umpire. I freely admit I can't do it because there are games I would bang everybody out.

One of my favorite umpire stories?

"A coach came screaming out to the field to argue a call I made. He said, 'You are the only person at this game that saw the call the way you called it.' The umpired replied, 'Wow, thanks coach. That makes me pretty smart!' The coach tried hard not to laugh, but turned and walked away