play at plate - pissed off parents and umpire

Parents are the biggest problem with youth sports. It’s insane how some of these people act.

Baseball is meant for kids... grown-ups only screw it up"-- Bob Lemon

Never ceases to amaze me how many parents decide to take little league so seriously. I can only speak for myself but if my dad spent my little league days screaming at the umpire I’d probably not look back on those times as fondly. Too much pressure.

Our best games were with the neighborhood kids, no coaches, no umpires, and no parents. We had a blast.

Freeze frame shows he is out. Great call by Ump. Could have gone either way

I agree on the call. Played it back half slower the speed and he was out clearly. Great play, and good call by umps!

I was an umpire a long time ago. When a coach threatened to harm me, I decided that was my last game. When I played little league, I had the same coach for 2 or 3 years. He never got mad, he never argued. He didn’t care if we won or lost. He was all about learning and having fun. We went undefeated in 2 of those years.

That was a hell of a throw

This is why it is so hard to get umpires to call little league games. Firstly there is only one umpire who is responsible for the ball catch/not fair/foul, the runners at all bases and any attempted play. Want more from umps? Pay for a 3 man crew. Secondly the bat is NEVER the umpire's responsibility to move. I do it anytime I can and tell runners uncontested at home to take it with them. (I address this with coaches and team captains in the pregame meeting) Thirdly there is not one kid on that team getting a scholarship or going pro based on this game. Parents at little league games need to be reminded these are kids playing a game for fun and to learn. Don't ruin it for them.

I umpired for 27 years, played for 36 years. The unwritten rule is when there is a play at the plate, the runner goes down, a slide. The little guy would have been safe. The on-deck hitter should have been coaching home, to let the runner know to get down.

The call was correct. The tag was made, and the runner never even touched the plate.

I watched this slowed down a bunch of times and he's out every time but it's really great playing. Too bad all of the real grown ups were in the game while the children misbehave

Kid: I'm out, oh well Coach: it's my time to shine

I would've called out. Watching it in slow motion looks like he's out. That's the magic of sliding folks. If the kid would've done that, safe easily.

First, not to be contrary, but to provide perspective, there are no "huge" plays in 9U baseball. They're kids learning to play the game. Parents and coaches need to focus on what's truly important: cheering for their children, staying positive, and making the game a fun experience for the players. Second, it is in no way the umpire's responsibility to clear the bat from the field of play. Rather, it is the coach's responsibility to teach the players what to do with the bat once they hit the baseball. If ever an umpire moves it, it is strictly a courtesy and an attempt to keep the players safe. Ironic that the coach is blaming the umpire.

Good call Blue. Now if we can just get rid of the parents and coaches and just let the kids play.

I filled in to "umpire" a girls game with 6 year old and softball pitches coming out of a set pitching machine. One little girl running the bases ran in front of a slow grounder and the opposing coach said that that was "interference". These girls would not know interference if it hit them in the head, they just run when the ball is hit, I cant call interference on a 6 year old! Coach got all pissed and some fans got on my case as a "volunteer" umpire. My kids are grown now and I remember it some 30 years ago.

I've umpired a currently coach youth baseball. The coaches in this age group should be teaching the kids to slide on close plays at home plate. This is how kids get hurt. The umpire should have removed his mask but clearly made the right call.

Takes a bit to find out what the coach is upset about. Never saw a coach believe the umpire needs to move the bat. Sure, they may if they have time, but his first job is to watch the play, especially being alone. Seriously can't believe the bat was the issue. The batter dropped the bat on his own team. It's not like the catcher picked it up and put it there. Unreal this was ever an issue. Get a new coach.

I umpired Little League for many years, all levels. There were ALWAYS parents complaining from the stands or right behind home plate against the fence. It was the only part of the game I hated. What happened on the field... LOVED it! In the stands ... RUINED it!