Leave early?

[GOINGDEEP]

It's kind of normal in sports to push as far as you can. I was the filthiest netball player because while I would get called for contact 50% of the time(which meant you had to stand next to the player you contacted until the ball was thrown or shot) it really paid off the other 50% of the time I wasn't called.

I played a tournament where every pitch that was illegal got called and every runner who left early was called. It wasn't as bad for the runners, as they were able to adjust a lot easier than the pitchers. Pitchers who were 16/17 years old who had NEVER been called were being ip'd out of the game. Until each team would get to their 3rd or 4th pitcher for the game. It lasted one game until all the coaches got together and demanded it stop, otherwise they were taking their teams and going home. We weren't playing softball, we were being played by the umpires.

Where this needs to be heavily policed is at the younger years. Don't make it punishable (so no balls are given, no bases are awarded, it's used as a learning experience for the girls) because all that will result in is crying little girls. But if you don't call them when they're starting out, and allow them to continue pitching illegally, it's extreemly unfair to expect them to change their motions after pitching that way for six/eight/ten years.

I don't think it is the umpires place to 'police' the pitchers. The problem is the pitching instructor or the parents ( if they are teaching ) that have incorrectly taught them.

If I speed down the same road everyday, and get pulled over years later..............I don't think my excuse of " well I've never been caught before " will keep me out of a ticket.

I applaud the umps that do make the calls, they are the ones doing their job and making the girls better.

 

[Daddy O]

That is a pretty big lead. Couple weeks ago we played a team that was easily stealing every time they got on base. DD was not even close to throwing them out. She has never been that far behing the runners, so I started watching them when they got on 1st. First girl I watched was at least 2 steps off base before ball was released. We complained to FU. His reply was that she certainly did not leave early. I did not video it, but I assure you either he was simply not watching and did not want to admiit it, or he was flat out lying because it was plain as day. Anyways the other team stopped stealing after that, go figure

 

[Lozza]

I don't think it is the umpires place to 'police' the pitchers. The problem is the pitching instructor or the parents ( if they are teaching ) that have incorrectly taught them.

Then why do we have umpires then?

 

[GOINGDEEP]

Where this needs to be heavily policed is at the younger years. Don't make it punishable (so no balls are given, no bases are awarded, it's used as a learning experience for the girls) because all that will result in is crying little girls. But if you don't call them when they're starting out, and allow them to continue pitching illegally, it's extreemly unfair to expect them to change their motions after pitching that way for six/eight/ten years.

I was referring to your idea of UMPS need to police the younger kids to keep them from bad habits or illegal pitches at 16-18. Kids do what they are told or taught. ( for the most part anyway ) Proper instruction from day one is the only way. There is no excuse for horrible instruction, and then we don't have to hear mom and dad cry a river when the IP's are called.

Even young pitchers need to know BEFORE a game........... proper technics. That's what practice is for. Ump's job is to enforce the rules not to instruct or babysit. Especially at the travel ball level. Rec or church ball I can be a little more sympathetic.

 

[rowdy]

If you aren't going to call it remove it from the rule book. Imagine if the first baseman never touched first base on a throw over but he umpire called your runner out anyway and the reason he gave was that is how the fielder was taught. Same concept, different rule. All rules need to be followed period, and if the rule isn't fair or wanted then change the rule.