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Those
#*@$*%#! Umpires!
I writing to you from
beautiful Seattle Washington, Bellevue Washington to
be exact. I'm here watching my eldest son's Connie
Mack Regional Tournament.
This tournament has
some of the best 18 year old players from the
western states. Pretty good ball being played up and
down the lineup.
Yesterday I was
watching a game that went into extra innings. Both
teams had to be frustrated with the plate umpire.
His strike zone was very inconsistent. All of these
games mean something. The winner goes on to the
World Series in New Mexico next week. Everyone is
very anxious.
Well, with the game
tied in extra innings, the home team was on the
field, a player hits a bomb for the go ahead run.
Happens all the time
in baseball. What was really impressive was the
approach the hitter took....whether it was
intentional or not, we'll give him credit.
There were two outs
in the inning. The pitcher for the home team started
the player out with a fastball for a
strike...swinging I think. The next pitch was a very
good curve right down the middle....a called ball 1.
The crowd was amazed it was called ball. I was too.
From my vantage point, the catcher didn't even move
his glove. The next pitch...the same thing, curve
down the middle, ball 2. I think the batter fouled
off the next pitch fastball for strike 2. Another
called curve ball 3.
Everyone on the
ballpark knew what pitch was coming and BAM,
homerun.
As you progress from
level to level, the hitters get better at looking
for a pitch and the pitchers should get better at
throwing them.
Now what lesson can
be learned? Well, everyone should pay close
attention throughout the game what the umpire is
calling for a strike and what he is not. Look for
patterns. Most youth level umpires I've seen don't
know how to call a good curve a strike. They can
also be fooled a little too.
Next time you get
into a tight situation either as a batter or a
pitcher, you'll be better prepared.
In this situation,
the only thing that could have hurt you as a pitcher
was a home run. Bases were empty, two outs, you may
as well throw something tough to hit and if you walk
him, oh well, lets get the next guy to ground out.
Coaches, let's teach
our pitchers not to throw a strike just for the sake
of not walking a guy. Especially a good hitter.
Hope this helps a
little.
Keep working hard!
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