Umpiring Questions

Now that the season is underway we are seeking your input. If you have an umpiring question, it may have been something that happened in a game you were coaching or a decision you made as an umpire. Send us an email via editor@tbawa.org.au and we will have our Chief Umpire give you the correct ruling. This may not only help you it may also help other coaches, umpires or parents to understand the game a little better. All submitted email questions will go into a fortnightly prize draw.

New Competition on TeeballNews

Check out the new competition on the teeballnews blog site.
Click on the link in the right hand column.

What Happens in the North West Doesn't Always Stay in the North West

This is an email that recently crossed my desk, I took a while deciding to publish it. I feel there could be a slight slur on my and a couple of others characters. See what you think.

Regards
Dave Fenner
Chief Umpire
TBAWA

To whom it may concern.

As an avid tee-ball supporter I attended the North West Tee-Ball Championships in Newman on the 23^rd to 25^th September 2011. Arriving at the championships I was amazed and concerned that the TBAWA had sent a group of officials to assist who apart from one looked like they had just come from an old peoples home. I was informed  that they would be doing the umpiring duties  and was immediately concerned that they would not be able to last the distance in a huge carnival like this.

This was the TBAWA lineup.

                Peter “ Girl Magnet” McCormack (The popular choice of the local female population)

                Dave “Beer O’Clock” Fenner (Always inquiring if it was time to have a drink. I did not think he

               drank until I saw him sober one day)

                Warren “Old Man” Lake (was useless because he forgot to bring zimmer frame)

                Greg “Sleepy” Mount-Bryson (always ready for his nanna nap)

                Paul “Croaky” Planken (Always loses his voice after umpiring his first game)

                George “Pretty Boy” Georgis (Always sparkling on the diamond despite his age)

                Chad “Virg” Lambert (The new boy at the carnival)

Also they enlisted the aid of two North West geriatrics.

                Rod “Speedy” Della (Well known for his speed on the diamond)

                Tom “The Man” Saylor (The black sheep of the carnival)

As the carnival progressed to my great surprise these old codgers did an amazing job umpiring with great aplomb and great stamina and were applauded by players, coaches and spectators. (I believe they did not look so flash when they went back to their hotel in the evening). They were great ambassadors for the TBAWA and should be applauded for their work.

The game I most enjoyed as far as umpiring is concerned was a game on Saturday between Paraburdoo and Karratha at 5.00pm. The officials realised that no umpire had been allocated so noticing Paul ‘Croaky” Planken, George ‘Pretty Boy” Georgis, Rod “Speedy” Della  and Greg “Sleepy”

Mount-Bryson sitting around doing nothing asked if they could manage to do one innings each in this game and as they noticed that the diamond would have shade from the local trees jumped at the chance.

The game started  with Croaky at plate, sleepy at first, Speedy at second and Pretty Boy at third (I thought this was going to be a typical Abbott and Costello game).

It was not long into the game Croaky lost his voice and had to be replaced at home base by Pretty boy who got the game going at a fair pace but when the players started to enjoy his umpiring he had to be replaced at the plate by Speedy. There was some argument when Pretty Boy and Speedy had problems deciding where the dead ball line was, but the game was going fairly smoothly until the spectators thought Speedy had locked up because he had not moved for some time so he was replaced by Sleepy who did a great job until the other umpires complained he was doing too good a job and showing them up. It was the decided that Croaky would make a comeback but soon had to be replaced by Pretty Boy to finish off the game because the players could not hear the calls.

It was completely awesome to see over 100 years of experience in umpiring being used in one tee-ball game, this group should go on the road to show how it is done.

             **********************************************************

Upon further investigation I have my suspicions the author could be the gent who left his zimmer frame behind.

Regards for now
Dave Fenner
Chief Umpire.

An Interesting view on State Champs

This was a comment left in the comments section, I thought it deserved and may create some dialogue

Rod said...

It's very disappointing when the whole argument around age groups is based on
the state champs.

I have a baseball background and some year ago the
powers at the time decided to change age groups to align to the National Champs
(ie to 14, 16,18) - DISASTER !!!! The best thing for local club ball has always
been 13, 15, 17 and well done to whoever it was that changed it back - one of
the reasons baseball numbers are growing again.

To decide on age cutoff
based around the state champs is ludicrous and destined for grass roots disaster
if not done properly.

Why is it that WA is the only state that has a
state champs? Ask any other state and they will argue black-and-blue that we
should not be putting kids as young as 7 through the tryout and rejection
process we do. Frankly I agree.

Tee-ball is for fun, fair play etc etc
etc. Not to tell some kids they are elite and some kids that they don't cut the
mustard. The kids will learn those life lessons when they get old - let kids be
kids, enjoy the game and worry about the sigma of not being picked later on it
life, when they are a little older and wiser.

In my opinion, replace the
state champs with a beefed up lightning carnival - so that any kids can play -
not just the chosen few.

Pre State Champs Carnivals

Just a reminder for all those umpires who passed their level 2 exam.
Please get in early and book your practical assessment, don't leave it too late, we have limited resources and I would hate to see you miss out.
Please phone myself or Dave early in the week to be viewed on the following Sunday

Greg  0406162256 or 93445853
Dave 0428266886
or email us on
chiefumpire@tbawa.org.au

Best Wishes for 2011

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and 2011 proves to be a good year us all.

Age Groups - Why I think the TBAWA Council got it right

The debate on the age groups doesn't seem to stop and at times I am really disappointed with the quality of the discussion. It is not a particular complex subject and only two core decisions were made this year by the TBAWA Council.

I assume we all agree that playing in age based groups makes sense to provide an enjoyable and balanced playing environment for the kids. If you don't agree with this starting point that would be a completely different discussion to be had and you can stop reading now.

First decision

-------------------

So we know we want age based groups therefore we need to agree on a sensible cut-off date, that is when does age group X end and age group Y start. Three viable options were in the mix:

a) Calendar year (31st December)

b) School year (30th June)

c) Tee-Ball metropolitan season (either the end date of 31st March or the start date of 1st October)

There are good arguments for each option and no obvious right or wrong. My personal preference is the school year because we are talking about a kids sport here and their friends and peers are largely from the same year at schools. It stops problems with kids being separated from their friends based on age cut-off, makes also at club level team formation easier, and helps parents as very often they are used to sharing duties (for example getting their kids to training) with the mums and dads of the other kids from the same class. Basically using today's lingo school year cut-off based age groups fit best with kids and parents social life. So for me the TBAWA Council got this decision right.

Second decision

-----------------------

The second decision made, and this is where most controversy seems to arise, is when do we stop playing Tee-Ball (or what is the oldest age group)? This decision cannot be made without having some common understanding how Tee-Ball fits overall into the diamond sports. My personal view is that Tee-Ball is a modified form of Baseball/Softball whose main purpose is to introduce children to the basic techniques required to play proper diamond sports (not withstanding that many Tee-Ball skills are useful in other sports as well). Or to put it differently Tee-Ball is for Baseball/Softball what Auskick is for Aussie Rules Football or Minkey is for Hockey. The same applies to nearly all major team sports - they all have modified versions suitable for young kids. And all these team sports stop at a certain age to play the heavily modified rules targeted to young kids and commence to play normal rules of the adult game or only slightly modified adult rules. So, the question we need to ask ourselves is when do we think kids stop benefitting in their skill development from the Tee-Ball rules and should take the next step. There is no simple right or wrong answer to this question either. From my observations at the State Championships over the last years the vast majority of kids in the then U/13 competition (to keep it simple lets say these are basically Year 7 kids although some were even in Year 8 at states) had clearly outgrown Tee-Ball from a skills development point of view. Especially hitting a stationary ball with the bat poses no technical challenge whatsoever - its a toss up between a home run or being caught. For Year 5's Tee-Ball in my opinion still offers a lot in skill development. Just look at this years much younger Supersquad. Great players, but there is still a lot of growth and learning potential within the rules of our sport for them. For Year 6's it is borderline but using this as the transition year into Baseball/Softball seems a good fit to me. So, in summary I think the TBAWA Council got it right by setting U/12 (basically Year 6) as the upper age limit for State Championships. This doesn't prevent Tee-Ball clubs from having Year 7's playing in their Saturday morning competition but sending your best Year 7's to State to hit one home run after the other will come to a close this season and clubs will need and should develop pathways forward in conjunction with Baseball/Softball for these talented kids. And to put it bluntly - U/14 Tee-Ball is not a pathway forward in my book.



With the two decisions above understood and settled the rest of the discussions held are just fringe issues, like

should U/11 better be called 10's: Honestly I don't care much. Under either label the same kids would play against each other.

should U/10 play with a teeball not a baseball because they are now on average half a year younger: No strong feelings either way...



Manuel Mall

T.B.A.W.A. Treasurer but more importantly Tee-Ball dad, coach and umpire for many years.

Age Cut Off, Here WE Go Again !!!!!!!

For those of you who were not present during the 15 plus hours of meeting time that was taken up trying to explain the changes in detail as well as all the pros and cons (which by the way a majority of clubs voted in overwhelmingly), I would like once again to put in a small two bobs worth.

1.    As it stands with the rules for this and following years according to the rule book, all children playing Tee Ball are currently playing with the EXACT same age children that they go to school with to the day ie. All grade fives are playing with all 10 yr olds that were born between Jan 1 and June 30 of the year 2000 as well as those children who turn 11 between 1^st July and December 31 of this year (11 year olds who have had their birthday in the last 5 months and those that will have over the rest of this month and December) or children born in the second half of 1999. This applies to all age groups and the above example is the CURRENT Crop of UNDER 12’s which would have been the oldest age group at the State Championships this year however, there was a motion passed earlier in  the year to delay this rule for 1 season so as to allow clubs to get their older players involved in 1 final year of State Championships and Super Squad.  

2.    To be an under X age competition, those competing in it must not have turned the age that they are playing in until the end of that season or a date determined after the season finishes. This date has been voted on by the TBAWA Meeting Delegates from ALL CLUBS earlier in the year and was passed as being the 30^th of June following the season’s end.

3.    There is currently NOTHING stopping any club from having older age groups playing in their own club competitions and it is not the role of TBAWA to make a determination on any age that a club or clubs which to have children participating in.

4.    The biggest and most important reason that the age groups were lowered by an OVERWHELMING MAJORITY VOTE was due to CONCERN FOR PLAYER SAFETY. The size and strength of some players in the older age groups (especially under 13 Boys) is quite frightening to me and a lot of parents that I discuss the state of the game with on a regular basis. I still play senior baseball and consider myself to have quite fast reflexes and yet I would not play in the under 13 competition at PITCHER against the side I coached nor the teams I coached against at last year’s State Championships. Some of these players were the size of fully grown men with power to match and it is only a matter of time until a player gets seriously injured by a wayward hit. The association and all clubs can ill afford the negative publicity nor the future ramifications of insurance premium hikes that would result from such an accident.

5.    The early State Championships oldest age groups were capped at under 11’s and then things progressed as the sport grew to allow under 12 GIRLS and then under 13 GIRLS. BOYS remained at under 11’s for quite some time and while it would be great to see things return to the same groups, it is not possible due to Sex Discrimination Laws preventing the exclusion of boys in any age group.

6.    Whether or not your club is at war with the local baseball club closest to you or you happen to be involved with Baseball WA, Little League WA or Softball WA at present, your target market IS NOT AND SHOULD NOT BE children in their last years of primary school (or 1^st year High School for that matter) to bolster your numbers. This can only bolster club numbers for 1 or 2 seasons at best. To increase numbers of participants in this great sport for ALL CLUBS we all need to be working together to get footholds into Pre Primary Curriculum's, Kindergarten Sports days and Day Care centre notice boards. ALL CLUBS are also capable of modifying their own playing rules to create a simpler way for extra young (3 ½ to 4 yr olds) players to get started in the sport as I know quite a few clubs have done.

7.    Clubs can always approach the local baseball club or start up your own Little League/Junior Baseball program. The State League clubs need future juniors and there is a ton of help out there to start your own if you go and ask.

I hope that the clubs whose committees voted for these changes earlier in the year stick to the votes originally cast in accordance with your club directives and that we can get on with improving the game for the benefit of all concerned

Yours in Sport

Stuart Paull

Past Tee Ball Club President (among many other roles)

Current Tee Ball Coach

Current Tee Ball Umpire

Current Parent of multiple Tee Ball Players

Passionate Tee Ball Fan & Supporter for 30 plus years

Here We Go Again.

Wow it seems like every time we use the words "rule change" people start seeing RED.
Since posting the last blog I have had several phone calls and emails asking if we are going to have another bun fight at the next council meeting. Simple answer No at least not because of the rules, all that happens this coming meeting is the submission for rule changes are tabled. There will be no discussion on these submissions until they have been to the Rules Committee (RC) for checking and then they will be submitted at the March meeting ready for voting in May.

One of the questions asked was why do they go to the rules committee and can they alter a submission. They are sent to the rules committee for checking to make sure they do not contravene any laws or our By Laws. The RC have no rights or power to change a submission they can only advise the club who made the submission that there may be a problem and suggest an alteration to legalise the submission. No legal rule submission can be withheld by the TBAWA executive.

We can only hope what ever rule changes are voted in for next season that those who vote against them learn to accept the outcome, as was the case when under 13's were voted in, even though many disagreed.

Anyway I suppose there is an up side, whilst we're arguing about the rules the umpires are being left alone .

Rule Change Submissions

The November TBAWA council meeting is the one where any new rule change submissions must be lodged.
Below is a submission to be presented on behalf of Morley Eagles.


Dear TBAWA committee members.


I am sending you this letter to inform that we at the Morley Eagles Tee-Ball Club (committee & members) have also been greatly affected by the age cutoff date for the State Championship Carnival of 2011, like many other clubs.

We believe that the date (30th June) that was chosen as the cutoff for the State Championship Carnival is way too late as the season is already finished four months prior to this date.

We as a club understand that the motion voted on in March 2010 was a rule change and cannot be changed for the State Champs of 2011 and have not spoken about this until now, as this is when (November) rule changes are to be taken back to all clubs to be discussed and then voted on in March for the upcoming season.

The Morley Eagles Tee-Ball Club (committee & members) after many discussions believe that it is the long weekend at the beginning of March each year that all our kids at the club strive to attend and be successful in winning their age group.

So in conclusion the Morley Eagles Tee-Ball Club will be putting forward a motion at the next TBAWA meeting, that the age cutoff for the State Championships not be given a date but is the day after the long weekend in March every year.

We believe that this is the fairest option for all players to be playing in their correct age group at the State Championship Carnival.



Kind Regards.

Clint Martin

Morley Eagles TBAWA rep.

Tee-Ball Age Cut Off

I am still getting a lot of enquiries in regards to the official age cut off. I some cases it appears clubs are either not reading their minutes, or the delegates are not taking the information back.
This week I have been contacted by two clubs asking if the 31st of December is still the cut off date.
The cut off date  for players in all age groups is the 30th of June in the second part of the year.
In other words for players to participate at the 2011 State Championships they must be under the age group they are playing in as at the 30th of June 2011.  e.g   an under 9's player can not turn 9 till AFTER the 30th of June 2011.
It is a little surprising this is still being asked considering it has come up at nearly all council meeting since being voted in

Umpires Manual

I've been extremely surprised and delighted at the amount of enquiries I have had about the Umpires Manual.
It seems that more umpires than I had ever thought use the annotated rule book as their main reference to our sports rules.
I have had to let all those enquiring about the book know that unfortunately it will not be available till after Christmas.
Whilst it may seem like an excuse the main reason behind this has been the uncertainty about whether the new rules were going to be kept in or be voted back out.
It seemed like every  month at TBAWA meetings someone would bring up about one of the new rule voted in and ask that it be changed because they did not understand it when they voted.
Of course this situation is untenable and has now been solved by making the rules form part of the by laws in our constitution which means they can now only be introduced and voted on once a year.
This will now allow us to finish of the manual and send it to print.

TBAWA Chief Umpire to resit his Level1

I'm not saying who it was but it was noticed during one of the North West Championship games that a particular TBAWA Chief Umpire OOPS, was umpiring a juniors game with a baseball, yes that's right JUNIORS, they use a teeball. Oh by the way I think I also noticed the tee sitting on home plate at one stage whilst the C.U was three quarters of the way up the line checking a play on 3rd. I suppose it goes to show that anyone of us can have a bad game at times. He was over heard apologising to the players and coaches at the end of the game.


Posted by Anonymous
for fear of retribution.

Dear Anonymous
You seem to have forgotten there was only four of you with me, be prepared I will track you down
and I am working on an excuse, how does heat stroke sound.

Chief Umpire

Chief Coach wades into the issue

Dave,


On reading your comments that the T.B.A.W.A. over the past couple of years are promoting baseball rather than promoting Tee-Ball. I find your comments without truth or fact but rather by a bad experience by you and you have not been attempting to repaire the damage.
Yes as Chief Coach of the TBAWA I have been promoting diamond sports and the BWA being the only one willing to assist tee-ball in Western Australia.
I want what the majority of clubs are striving for and that is a pathway to other diamond sports when our young players are ready to move on with the skills and knowledge to baseball or softball.
For the past three years, yes I have been working with baseball.
Going to schools with Steve Fish (High Performance Baseball Coach) helping local clubs boost the numbers of registrations.
Super Squad games at Baseball Park playing on the main diamond.
Tee-Ball camps at Baseball Park and at Wanneroo over the past 3 years with assistance from BWA and Perth Heat.
These are only a few and I could go on and on with the positives the the clubs have received over the years I have been involved.
We need to meet and air our differences for the benefit of all clubs. Would only be too willing to answer any questions at TBAWA council meetings.

I also am prepared to put my name to paper as this generates discussions that we as adults take on implementing or changing how tee-ball is played.


Peter McCormack
Chief Coach T.B.A.W.A.
chiefcoach@tbawa.org.au
0419 929 149

Rules Debate Rages On

This is a reply to recent comments listed below.

Dave
I really don't think this is about rules, I understand your club has no relationship with your local baseball club and that is a hell of a shame. I can remember when my club was that way and I as the President used to blame baseball, but it wasn't just them it was us too. Just before I retired as club president I think I saw the light and decided no matter what it took I would mend the bridges. Guess what happened, as soon as I gave an inch so did they and after only two or three meetings where everyone dropped their attitude we came to a deal that worked out best for the children, not a deal that fed the egos of the adult administrators. Dave in your clubs case if both partys would get off their asses and think of what is best for the kids instead of who will get to control what, you may start to get some where, yes Dave both partys because you are both to blame. Now to get back to the crux of the matter your distrust in BWA and the current administration of TBAWA. Speaking for TBAWA we have not done a turn a round in our attitude, we simply  have a great working relationship with BWA. We believe strongly in tee-ball being controlled by tee-ball people. What upsets me most is you attitude of distrust of baseball, put aside your club issues and have a look at what BWA and Geoff Hooker have done for tee-ball in the last few years. BWA through Geoff have applied for and received several grants for which tee-ball on its own would not be entitled to apply. These grants have allowed TBAWA to send umpires and coaches up to the North West Champs for the last two years (around $20,000) They have also allowed TBAWA to send the Super Squad to the South West Champs ($5000) They have paid for undershirts for Super Squad. The tee-ball Started packs are heavily subsidised by Geoff and Baseball. These are only a couple of the things they have done, they fund many things that help keep prices down for clubs, I could go on and on. There are many exciting things coming up this season however they have not be officially released as yet and it is not my job too do this. YES those of us who have been around for a long long time may seem to push the barrow for baseball, however I would push the barrow for tiddly winks if they supported our sport in the way that Geoff Hooker and Baseball WA do. Dave just like you I love this sport and I suppose my advantage is that I am on the inside and get to see all these wonderful things they do that don't get talked about, perhaps the problem is that Baseball WA don't ask for recognition.
I do not believe for one minute BWA want to take over TBAWA, you only have to look at the way they have restructure themselves into smaller more manageable groups in recent times.
For me and I believe the rest of the TBAWA executive Tee-Ball is number one but thank goodness for Geoff Hooker and BWA, I only wish Softball would lift their game to the same level

Greg Mount-Bryson
Chief Umpire


FROM COMMENTS SECTION
Hi Greg

How long will it be now for all the baseball rules to come back in. Its still fresh in my mind at tbawa meeting on the discussions of removing reference to baseball rules.
I think the association has done a complete backflip over the past several years. One to which i feel is certainly not promoting tee-ball but one they now promotes baseball.

Just as they wanted it many years ago
TBAWA killing off tee-ball.
David

August 3, 2010 10:19 PM


Anonymous said...
David,
I am not sure what club you come from but you certainly seem to have some sort of baseball-phobia.
Our club made the move to expand into baseball as well as tee-ball and we have never looked back. Best thing we ever did. Tee-ball numbers grew as a result.
I think you need to accept that baseball, softball and tee-ball are actually the same sport with a few tweeks to the rules here and there - and embrace it rather than fear it as your post would suggest.
Given how much support Baseball WA has given our club - anything we ask for is never too much trouble - we have no problem in the direction TBAWA is going. In fact we applaud it.

James C.
August 5, 2010 9:45 AM
Anonymous said...

James
Certainly don't have a phobia, just experience with our baseball work especially from our local clubs junior & senior.
Im pleased that your club is having a good result.
I certainty don't fear any of the 3 diamond sports as i do play senior softball. What i fear is likely hood of tee-ball remaining as a separate entity.
TBWA have done a full circle in there belief and statue regarding baseball in the last 2 years. I don't know how long you have been involved with tee-ball or TBAWA as i go back 12 years 10 of them as a TBAWA delegate.
Difficult on a blog to clearly and correctly explain my opinion regarding this.
TBAWA will end up being the tee-ball section for 5-8 yr olds for BWA.

David
August 5, 2010 10:02 PM

2010 Season is fast approaching

Well I though it was time to dust myself off and arc up the blog for the forthcoming season.
I am sure there will be lots being posted shortly, especially with the introduction of some of the new rules etc.


One of the new features we will be introducing this season, in conjunction with this blog will be a new website called Batter Up Play Ball. It will have a lot of information for umpires and hopefully many other interesting features. The advent of the new website will allow people to have more of a say, rather than just a comment  to a posting. I will be asking for anyone who feels they have something constructive or informative to say to put it into an email and we will post it on the website. As the launch date nears I will let you know. That's it for now, keep checking back as I will be letting you know what is going on over the next few weeks.

Suggested Rule Changes for 2010/11

Notices of motion have been put for the following rule changes. They are to be voted on at the May meeting of the TBAWA.
13 Foul Balls and Strikes
13.1 A foul ball is a batted ball which:
(a) First lands in foul territory
Note:
(i) At all times it is the position the ball would have landed had it not been touched by a fielder or umpire.

17.4 Leaving Base Early
No runner may leave their base before the ball is hit. When a runner leaves the base before the ball is hit, the umpire (base or Plate) shall immediately call "Time, Dead Ball" and return all runners to their bases. The umpire shall warn the runner who left the base early. If the same runner offends again in the same innings, the runner shall be called: "Out".

Dead Ball Circle Area
A half circle shall be marked from the front outside corners of the batting boxes
projecting out 1.2m in the middle.

Dead Ball Circle
Any batted ball first landing in the “Dead Ball Circle” shall be deemed a foul ball
Note:
(i) “Time” should not be called till the ball hits the ground
(ii) Immediately the ball hits the ground the umpire shall call “ Time, Foul Ball…. strike/s on the batter”
.
Bat Disposal
The batter shall be given out if they have not disposed of the bat by half way to first.
Note:
(i) The half way point shall be in the umpires judgement.
(ii) The ball shall be deemed dead and no runners may advance

Being called “Out”
Players should leave the field of play immediately they are called “out”.
Players should make sure they do not interfere with any play after being given out.
Should this occur, play will proceed normally until “Time” is called.
The umpires will then in consultation with one another determine the outcome of the play.

Age Groups
The official age groups for Tee-Ball shall be: U/9’s, U/10’s, U/11’s & U/12’s
These shall be the official age groups played in TBAWA sanctioned metropolitan carnivals.

Age Cut off
Players must be under the official age as at the 30th of June in the second part of the season. (at seasons end, e.g. after State Championships).

Updated Rule Book for 2010/11 Season

A newly updated Rule Book and Umpires Manual are to be released for the forthcoming 2010/11 season. Over the years we have had the odd enquiry as to which of the rule books is the official one. Both are, the Umpires Manual simply goes into more detail and explains each rule. The explanations and interpretations in the Umpires Manual are how we expect rules to be administered. There is to be no “my interpretation” or “my understanding is”. Intention and interpretation must be by the book, the whole point of writing this book is to have every one interpreting the rules the same. It does not matter how they do it in baseball or softball it is what is best for the players playing Tee-Ball. The forthcoming meeting of the TBAWA council will see any proposals for new rules put as a notice of motion to be voted at the next full council meeting, should any individual or club require clarification on any of these suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me and I will be happy to explain the proposal or drop out to your club and attend a committee meeting. Of course subject to the outcome of the AGM.

Greg Mount-Bryson
Chief Umpire

The Coaches View

I would have to agree that both umpires and coaches see the game from a different prospective.
If my runner was tagged at third in a close call and the umpire gave the runner out. As the coach I would have thought the runner was safe, the opposition coach would agree with the umpire.
This is human nature and nothing about bad coaching or umpiring.
I do have concerns about umpires and coaches alike that are not actively involved with Tee-ball until State Championships come around.
We see this all to often when they come and ask about questions that they should all ready be aware of.
To have a better understanding umpires should participate in the Level`A` coaching clinic and Coaches should attend the Umpires clinic prefferably Level 2 so as they have a better understanding of being a Official in the game.
Its all to easy to put the blame on someone else rather than looking in the mirror.

I must say in closing that the standard of both umpiring and coaching was great at the State Champs with only a small number of complaint.
Well Done to all Coaches, Umpires and volunteers who over the past season assisted greatly to our young charges in the geat game of Tee-Ball.

Peter McCormack
Chief Coach
T.B.A.W.A.

We All See The Game Differently

Of course at this time of year, it is impossible to write anything about tee-ball without a reference to State Champs, obviously this column will be no exception.
With around two hundred and fifty game played over the long weekend, it would be unreasonable to think we could get through without some mistakes.
In general, I was very happy with the performance of the majority of umpires. That is not to say we did not receive some justified complaints. However, in many of the complaints, it was the way it was viewed by the coaching staff. A game viewed from a coaching perspective is totally different to a game viewed from an umpires perspective. One interesting situation was when we received a complaint about a plate umpire that coincidentally we were assessing for Level 3. The coach approached us at the table after the game unaware we had been at the game and gave us his thoughts on the incompetence of the umpire and how he called the game one way for his team and one way for the other team. Our initial assessment of the particular umpire was a pass for that game. What I am trying to express here is as a coach of a side, you see the game from one perspective; your teams. You are not concentrating on the game in the same way an umpire is. An umpire generally looks at a game with no bias for either side, but strictly from a rule perspective. The coach went as far as to say, "had he known what he was doing we could have won the game". Most umpires understand they will not make everyone happy during a game and as chief umpire I am well used to receiving these types of complaints. Unfortunately as umpires we do not (and of course should not) have the opportunity to express to coaches our opinion on the mistakes they sometimes make. Whilst watching this particular game, the other assessor and myself both made comments as to the direction the coach had the batters hitting. For instance no runners on base, first batter bats up first bag line, (what happened to batting up 3rd bag line to keep the ball as far away from the runner as possible, basic coaching 1 0 1 ) ball fielded by first baseman who tagged the base easily, batter out. A couple of batters latter with runners on 1st and 2nd the batter hits direct to 3rd baseman. At no stage did we see the coach direct a batter where to hit. This continued through out the entire game. Do I need to go on. Sorry coach this was the reason you lost the game, not the umpiring decisions. I know this seems like I'm coach bashing, however this is not my intention. I am trying to make the point that if we very rarely hear about the mistakes coaches make, then WHY do we so regularly and so enthusiastically hear about the umpires mistakes. In more cases than not when we visit a game that has a supposed umpire problem, there isn't one. Rather, the game is being viewed from a team perspective.
Of course this only applies to a small minority of coaches and as I said earlier, umpires do make mistakes. I would just ask those few coaches that this is directed at, please concentrate on coaching and leave the umpiring to the umpires. Take a leaf out of the Chief Coach and Assistant Chief Coaches book, how often have you seen either of them question an umpire.
I would hate to have to implement a rule that stopped coaches from even approaching an umpire.