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Online now: 0 members ; 7 anonymousDetails for RALEIGH
Real name:
Raleigh Rowland
Location:
Independence, OR
Division:
Men's 55
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| Aug. 4, 2018 RALEIGH | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Calling High Pitches Nancy, I understand the argument. Most players have not umpired and believe that it is very simple to apply the rules. It takes a little time and practice for umpiring to become second nature as with any newly acquired job. Also, some newer umpires haven't helped themselves by bothering to become better at their job. It's the generational culture that we find ourselves in today. I've done some umpiring and it's not as easy as players would like to think, that's why you'll never hear me or my players argue a call. I may have a private conversation with the umpire between innings, expressing my thoughts, but not an argument. If one of my players argues a call with an umpire, the umpire will not have to remove that player because I will and my players are well aware of this. Eliminating the illegal call wouldn't change whether the pitch is illegal or not, but it at least the call helps me as a batter know if the umpire and I agree on a high pitch before it reaches me. I can at least foul it off, if I'm good, but after it lands I can't do a thing about it if we don't see eye to eye. You are right that most problems are encountered with the lower pitch; not enough time for most umpires to call it and less time for the batter to do something with it. I too hear the comment from pitchers "It went over my head". I have yet to see a pitcher deliver a pitch with his feet together standing at his full height (that thought made me chuckle), most are bent at the waist or knees making them much less than 6' tall. Raleigh L Rowland GySgt USMC (Ret) |
| Aug. 4, 2018 RALEIGH | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Calling High Pitches Another problem with SSUSA going to a 10' has already been encountered in USSSA, when a pitcher delivers a pitch at 8' the umpires here in the Pacific Northwest call it too high after it lands. (I would be interested to know if this is common elsewhere) Yet, they won't call the pitch that doesn't have the required 3' arc. I've actually had the UIC tell me "as long as it has a hump" it's good. He also confided in me that he will never warn a pitcher for excessive speed, because if he does, then the next time he has to remove him from the game. Why have rules if your not going to enforce them. If you want to succumb to the pressures of the long ball hitters, why not dispense with all the fielders and make every tournament a home run derby where you pitch to your own batters? Easier for the umpires, it's over the fence or it's not. I asked my players if they could hit the 12' pitch that is pitched today and they all answered yes. I then asked why would you want to take away your pitcher's ability to influence the other team's batting? Problem; a lot players believe that pitching is easy and doesn't make much a difference in the outcome of a game........ until I make them pitch an entire game, then they get it. (Always a game that doesn't matter) Don't take away a pitcher's tools; I would like to see it go up to 16', I can hit it why can't you. (Oh, I know why, I'm not trying to hit it over the fence). Sorry I didn't mean all-cap my name when I signed up, Raleigh L Rowland GySgt USMC (Ret) |
| Aug. 4, 2018 RALEIGH | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Intentional walk Nancy you seem like a very level headed and intelligent individual, and I would love to meet you someday. Alas, I am from the Pacific Northwest and will probably never have that honor. I have walked a batter because he was already heated and I wanted to irritate him further. I walked him every time he came to bat (except his last a bat) and he was useless in the field the entire game, but it didn't keep him from running his lips. By the way he struck out swing his last at bat. Karma has a way of evening things out. Raleigh L Rowland GySgt USMC (Ret) |
| Aug. 4, 2018 RALEIGH | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Calling High Pitches Please let's not entertain lowering the pitch height to 10'. I have pitched every form of slow pitch from Unlimited arc to the farce of a "3' arc from the point of release" that USSSA has in their rules. I can tell you that I won't pitch USSSA against the young guys any more because the ball has a tendency to return to the point at which it came from. Don't let this organization follow the rest by lowering the pitch height and put me in danger because of my age related slower reaction speed. I find that when the discussion of lowering the pitching height comes up, it is usually a long ball hitter driving it. Most pitchers want the ability to deliver a wide variety of pitches based on the situation. Most organizations have given in to the relentless pressure of hitters. I say don't take away any more of the tools with which a pitcher currently has. If you want to have a lower pitch, there are plenty organizations that will accommodate you. If you want to impress me with your hitting skills then hit a ball that has a 40 foot arc and is traveling straight down when it hits the plate, you hit that over the fence and I will applaud your effort every time. |
