Societal rantings from an old man

[Bobref]

41 minutes ago, MacAttack53 said:

I’ve been a licensed IHSAA Basketball Official for eight years. I think I do a pretty decent job being a solid arbiter of the rules of the game.

My daughter plays on a 10u softball team based in our town. I’ve coached baseball and softball for a few years—but I’ve never umpired. I’ve got a good handle on the rules, especially at the 14u level and below. We needed a plate ump for a scrimmage last week for our 12u team. I volunteered to do it. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in an officiating capacity. Idk how patched umpires are as consistent as they are. I’ve never been one to argue balls/strikes, but I definitely won’t now. I’d encourage anyone who wants to argue those calls with umpires to go work one game behind the plate. It will literally and figuratively change your perspective.

Ought to be mandatory for every parent with a kid on the team. Unfortunately, that will result in a significant decrease in all those omnipresent videos of some fat Coach bullying a 14 yr. old kid over a checked swing call… if you like that sort of thing.

[Impartial_Observer]

9 hours ago, MacAttack53 said:

I’ve been a licensed IHSAA Basketball Official for eight years. I think I do a pretty decent job being a solid arbiter of the rules of the game.

My daughter plays on a 10u softball team based in our town. I’ve coached baseball and softball for a few years—but I’ve never umpired. I’ve got a good handle on the rules, especially at the 14u level and below. We needed a plate ump for a scrimmage last week for our 12u team. I volunteered to do it. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in an officiating capacity. Idk how patched umpires are as consistent as they are. I’ve never been one to argue balls/strikes, but I definitely won’t now. I’d encourage anyone who wants to argue those calls with umpires to go work one game behind the plate. It will literally and figuratively change your perspective.

You’ve also been around enough to know the higher the level of play, the easier it is to officiate. My partner only do V HS games. We only work places that take care of us and treat us decent. We drive by a lot of games to get to the ones we work. I don’t know for a fact but I firmly believe schools continue to hire us year in and year out because they know what they’re going to get. They know we’re going to make them swing the bat, it’s not stupid, but everyone’s here to see you hit….so oblige them! Unlike some posters in this thread they know there’s a bottom of 1 0-0 strike zone and bottom of 4 12-0 strike zone. 

[Muda69]

12 hours ago, Impartial_Observer said:

 Unlike some posters in this thread they know there’s a bottom of 1 0-0 strike zone and bottom of 4 12-0 strike zone. 

For us baseball neophytes can you explain why there is a difference?

 

[Plymouthfan91]

On 6/8/2026 at 1:13 PM, Daniel_Bragg said:

Two things can be true.

1) Travel ball is awful.

2) Umpires continue to have too much influence on the outcome of baseball/softball games.  

Now, hear me out on #2.  In all sports, officials are there to make sure the game is played fairly and inside the rulebook.  In baseball/softball, an umpires strike zone can change in mere seconds.  Their eyesight dictates the difference between a baserunner and a strike out, safe or out, fair or foul.  I'm a HUGE fan of ABS, NOT because I don't appreciate the job that umpires do, but because you can't have a fair sport based on the whim of a human.  I know umpires are doing their best, and 99% of the time, they are calling the game right down the middle.  However, we all know that makeup calls exist.  I've witnessed and spoken with an umpire that admitted to opening up "the zone" because some coach said something.  That's asinine.

Kids overcoming adversity is meant to be about the competition.  The adversity shouldn't be because of the officials, in ANY sport.

When I coached softball I was always one to tell the kids to adjust to the strike zone.  I never thought an umpire was trying to screw my team.  Did I always agree with the calls?  No.  Did I get mad? Yes.  But to say they have too much influence is crazy.  The people who say that are those who are trying to get a walk and take that 3rd strike when it is close.  I know I would call pitches to all locations in the first inning and ask my catcher what was working then we would adjst from there.  The adversity doesn't come from officials it comes from people who like the way the game is being called and instead of adjusting they play the blame game.

 

Sorry for the rant but I feel that officials get a bad rap from fans and players.  This guys #2 struck a nerve.

[Irishman]

Just leaving this here for more evidence.

 

[Impartial_Observer]

I dealt with a couple of those parents this weekend!