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TOPIC: More talk on USSSA |
| Uncle Mertog
July 11, 2007
11:38:26 AM
Entry #: 2255798
| At this week’s meeting the major topic of discussion was once again the umpires and a move to USSSA. Artie Spinard actually made some very good points in his discussion of the matter. The first being it would be a significant savings to the league since USSSA is much cheaper. The other being that the umpires for USSSA actually have to display some sort of softball knowledge by attending training seminars and taking an examination to show they are actually qualified to be an umpire, something the ASA does not do.
It was also discussed that ASA is a dying sanction, at least in Rhode Island, and many seem to believe that it is largely in part to the ineptitude of the local commissioner Beverly Wiley. My question is, has anyone contacted her about the problems we are having with the umpires?
My problem is not with ASA itself, in fact I prefer ASA to USSSA in as much as some of the rules are concerned. I like having an “over-the-middle” player for a few reasons. It does protect the pitcher to a degree, although I will admit a good hitter can still put the ball exactly where he wants it, including the pitchers mug if he so chooses. Secondly, it offers me a chance to put another player on the field who would otherwise be sitting. I am definitely convinced that without the over-the-middle man I would have had players quit for lack of playing time.
I think just about everyone’s problem revolves around the poor quality of umpires. There were complaints that during play one umpire was actually talking on his cell phone. Others complained of there only being one umpire at their games, and this seems to be happening more and more frequently. Still others complained about umpires rushing play, starting early, leaving before games are over and generally making bad calls simply to get the games over with. Another complaint was that the umpires have no clue as to the rules regarding the arc of the pitches. These are all major issues in my opinion and something needs to be done about them.
Here is my question, could we simply get on the ASA to pull in their umpiring crews and threaten to can them if they continue their practices? Shouldn’t we give them at least the opportunity to clean up their act before kicking them to the curb? If they are in fact a dying sanction, wouldn’t that mean that they would at least be willing to listen to our grievances from fear of losing yet another league to their competitors? It should be an easy fix, simply pull the umpires in and explain to them that they better start doing their jobs or they won’t be umpires anymore. If ASA is not willing to do this, at least we gave them the opportunity to try.
Or, is it possible to start our own sanctioning body. This has been done several times and was actually how USSSA and ISA got started. Enough people got tired of the sanctioning bodies that ran their own leagues and they started their own sanction.
I really have no problem with USSSA to be honest, other than the silly antics that pitchers are allowed to do. I find it quite childish for a pitcher to do cartwheels, pump fakes and throw his glove at a batter. This is pure nonsense in my opinion, but if we could simply eliminate that type of crap from the game via a by law or something to that effect I would welcome USSSA. I also got the impression from talking to some of the managers that they also liked the over-the-middle player, and if we could keep an over-the-middle player and eliminate the nonsense with the pitching, I would be on board.
Artie told me to come down and check out the umpiring at the USSSA games, and I am going to do that, to see for myself how much better they are than ASA umps. I think it is definitely something to consider.
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| Ryno
July 11, 2007
12:55:01 PM
Entry #: 2255966
| I can say that the USSSA umps are much better. Not that they necessarily are any better at making calls, but they know the rules and keep control of games by at least being consistent.
Our guys are never on time, leave early, sometimes don't show up, and generally suck when they are there. With a few exceptions. Some guys may not be good umps but they at least make an effort and hustle to get into position to make a call. I can live with that.
HOWEVER! I can cut them some slack based on having to deal with adult crybabies for 2 hours. Softball players bitch about everything and blame the umps because they swung at a bad pitch because the previous pitch was a questionable strike. You've all heard it before "You took the bat out of my hand blue".
This league is not bound by any rules of the National associations. We can hire any umps we want and simply follow one of the sanctions by adapting them into our bylaws. Mertogs example being a good one. We can play utrip rules and have our bylaws state that we are using a middle man and not pump fakes.
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| Uncle Mertog
July 11, 2007
11:48:45 PM
Entry #: 2257243
| Ryno, I agree with just about everything you said. No one at the meeting really had a problem with umpiring in as much as the calls were concerned but more toward the not showing up, coming late, leaving early and rushing play so they could go fleece another league for 50.00 bucks.
Two weeks ago the ump actually said to me "Let's get moving I have a girls softball game in two hours I gotta get out of here." I felt like telling him to screw.
this shit has to stop, and if getting crews from other places works, then so be it. Seems to be a quick fix.
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| Dutilly
July 11, 2007
11:52:36 PM
Entry #: 2257251
| How about playing fall ball as Usssa?This way we can try it then decide over the winter
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| Smitty
July 12, 2007
11:15:30 AM
Entry #: 2257899
| thats a great idea....dutilly, you're one for your life now
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| EW33
July 15, 2007
6:25:14 PM
Entry #: 2262891
| dutilly with a good idea and not just another nonsense post? i almost fell out of my chair.
All kidding aside I think that's a great idea adjust bylaws or keep the current ones to have an over the middle guy and no pump fakes/distractions and yet be USSSA for arc. Fall ball as USSSA sounds like a great plan and then we can see where it takes us from there.
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| lb4lb
July 16, 2007
10:33:03 AM
Entry #: 2263939
| Nothing against Artie personally, but does anybody really think that cheaper umpires are going to be better umpires ? And, does anybody think that Saint Artie has the welfare and finances of the league at the heart of making this change? This has to do with Brian Cipolla's ego, plain and simple. And Artie is one of his minions. Mert, if you are sincerely interested in diligently researching this subject..call/email Bev Wiley..better yet..call/email Greg Fleury of NSA and get to the bottom of why USSSA is suddenly so attactive.
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| lb4lb
July 16, 2007
3:51:55 PM
Entry #: 2264799
| One of Cipolla's minions came to visit me with a 2004 Freak in hand. In the best interest of my kneecaps I rescind my last post. Everybody is a tough guy the day after a Godfather marathon. USSSA is the greatest softball organization ever created and I cant wait for the thrill of trying to hit a pitch thrown after 3 " bluff " pitches, or thrown from behind ones back like Meadowlark fuckin Lemon. Rob Raymond is too old a dog to learn a new trick..the lack of USSSA experienced pitchers is going to open the door to Ricky Reynolds and Jenksy coming back in the league...hold on, knees in jeopardy..and I for one would love for those two misunderstood rascals be welcomed back into the Coventry with open arms.....
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| Dionne
July 16, 2007
4:02:55 PM
Entry #: 2264826
| lb4lb I'm with you man I agree...but just letting you know the whether we go u-trip or stay asa for fall league Ricky Reynolds will be coming back into the league
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| ARTIEKARATE
July 17, 2007
7:58:49 AM
Entry #: 2265950
| ATTA BOY LB4LB
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| Ryno
July 24, 2007
12:34:06 PM
Entry #: 2279042
| lb4lb I am disapointed by your sudden turn. I was pretty much in agreement when you said in the post before. Just because little Paulie comes over and threatens your knee-caps. I lost my shins defending the great state of Texas from the Japanese (Anyone get that one?), and you don't see me caving.
Bless you St. Artie.
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| ARTIEKARATE
July 24, 2007
3:15:02 PM
Entry #: 2279469
| THE USSSA DIRECTOR BRIAN CIPOLLA IS COMING TO THE MEETING ON AUGUST 6TH !!! HE IS GOING TO BE OPEN TO ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE . I SUGGEST EVERYONE SEND A TEAM REP AND A PLAYER REP .BUT MAKE SURE SOMEONE COMES TO THE MEETING . IF YOUR FOR IT OR AGAINST IT SEND SOMEBODY . MERT I KNOW YOU HAVE A TOUGH WORK SCHEDULE BUT TRY TO MAKE IT . THIS IS ALSO THE NIGHT THAT WE PICK FEILDS AND THE NIGHT FALL BALL IS DUE . EVERY TEAM SHOULD ATTEND !!!! WE ARE ALSO TRYING TO GET THE HEAD UMPIRE OF USSSA TO ATTEND ALSO .I THINK ITS JIMMY JACKSON . ATTEND THIS MEETING PLEASE . I THINK MYSELF AND SMTTY ARE GOING TO CALL EVERY COACH SO EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT THE MEETINGS ABOUT . HE IS COMING AT 8 OCLOCK . THE MEETING STARTS AT 7 FOR THE TEAMS IN FALL BALL AND THE PLAYOFF TEAMS .
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