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Online now: 3 members: ByronBA12, Crumpy, TABLE SETTER 11; 114 anonymousDetails for The Screamer5
Real name:
Lawrence Sherrell
Location:
San Antonio, TX
Division:
Men's 60
Messages posted by The Screamer5 »Message board home »Start a new discussion
| Aug. 3, 2023 The Screamer5 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Intentionally Dropped Fly Ball or Line Drive Follow-up question...I know it was stated it's the umpire's judgement, but in Senior softball, is purposely allowing a fly ball or line drive to hit the ground untouched considered "intentionally dropped?" (The intent would be the same.) |
| Nov. 24, 2022 The Screamer5 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Home plate issue Rangview85...those things are usually discussed between the two umpires before each game, but I believe normally the HP umpire has the call on whether fly balls to the outfield are caught or dropped (unless the base umpire goes out to outfield on sinking line drives to help the HP umpire with the call, at which point the base umpire stays outside the diamond, and the HP umpire then reverts to a one-man umpiring system.) For runners tagging up the HP umpire has the runners tagging at first and third and the base umpire is responsible for the runner tagging at second. That used to be the mechanic we used when I last umpired. It may have recently changed. Again, the umpires normally cover who is responsible for what in their pre-game meeting before each game. |
| March 23, 2022 The Screamer5 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: How would you rule the call That's the mechanic we've always used. All outfield fly ball catches or non catches or fair or foul balls are called by the plate umpire unless the base umpire goes out to the outfield (maybe on a sinking line drive for a closer look to assist the HP umpire)...at which point the BU stays out and HP reverts to a One Man Umpire System. (This is ALWAYS discussed in the umpires' pre-game because it can possibly cause a lot of confusion if the umpires are not on the same page with this.) Right or wrong...if the umpired initially ruled it catch, it's a catch. What the fielder says is irrelevant. |
| Dec. 12, 2021 The Screamer5 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Coin flips Just my opinion but I believe having the "hammer" is such a BIG advantage in Senior Softball, that automatically giving it to undefeated team in the Championship game (or to the higher seeded team) is too much of an advantage. The advantage the undefeated team has is having to lose twice. To cut down the possibility of a lot of confusion and arguments, the only fair way is to have a totally random 50/50 coin toss in every game. |
| Nov. 19, 2018 The Screamer5 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: BJ Just my 2 cents as a player and coach, but I always thought that when the umpire silently signals obstruction (with the arm extended out) that he or she was only "recognizing" the contact and that ANY award was based solely on the umpire's judgement after the play concluded. I never thought there was a minimum one base award just because the umpire made the obstruction signal. I've seen umpires signal obstruction but then not award anything after the play was over. I assumed the umpire judged the contact didn't warrant award of the next base. |
| Nov. 14, 2018 The Screamer5 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: What is a Veteran? I know I'm a little late, but thanks Steve. Well said! USAF 1983-2005 Grayhitter59: You most definitely need to stand and be fully recognized whenever they ask all past and present military to stand. You served your country honorably. Thank you for your service! |
| Nov. 3, 2018 The Screamer5 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Courtesy runner Lol. I love this message board. Its always entertaining. But seriously, why do we allow so many courtesy runners anyway? (I can ask for one whether I really need one or not.) Why doesn't everyone simply run for themselves (especially in the younger senior divisions, 40s, 50s, 55s)...or we maybe allow only ONE courtesy runner per team, per inning? That would make teams have to employ a little strategy in its use. Currently, the rule simply allows for a team's fastest runners to run for the teams slowest runners every inning. I don't think that was the intent. |
| Oct. 31, 2018 The Screamer5 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: called out I know its a rule that has to be enforced as a safety related issue (so I applaud the umpire in the video), but ejecting a batter for wiping out the front line of the batter's box seems like a pretty stiff penalty. I'm sure some batters do it intentionally but my guess is a lot of batters are simply trying to clear a level landing spot for their front foot to land when striding. (I bet many hitters don't even think about it and do this subconsciously during their pre-bat routine.) My point is its very difficult to read the batter's intent. I would hope an umpire would practice a little preventive maintenance and once he see's the batter doing it, immediately tell him to stop! (as in a warning) Equally important as the enforcement of this rule is the umpires calling batters OUT who step way out the box while making contact with the ball, whether the front line is there or not. |
| Sept. 14, 2018 The Screamer5 | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Losing could be beneficial To add to what's already been said, teams take different approaches to how they play pool/seed games. Some always play them to win; others use the pool games as practice to prepare for the brackets; some others may bat everyone or play some guys who normally don't play while resting their regulars. You never know what type of team (talent wise) you'll get when the seeds come out. Senior tournaments are difficult enough to win already, especially out of the loser's bracket... so in the brackets ALWAYS play to win! Your chances are always better the longer you stay in the winner's bracket. Looking ahead to see who you might play later in the bracket isn't always a good strategy either. Take it one game at a time. Good luck at Worlds...! |
| Aug. 14, 2018 The Screamer5 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: commitment line stepover standoff Joe H, I could be wrong but my interpretation of the commitment line is that once its crossed (or touched), the runner doesn't HAVE to continue advancing toward home plate... but that it means the runner CANNOT under any circumstances return back over the line toward third base. I don't believe there is a penalty for simply stopping once the line has been crossed. |
| May 26, 2018 The Screamer5 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Is the infield fly rule based on physical ability to catch the ball? As umpires, I don't know if we should be judging the physical abilities or inabilities of the fielder in determining whether or not to call the infield fly rule. That can be so subjective depending on the player and situation. To me, either the fair infield fly ball can be caught with routine "ordinary effort" or it cannot be. I judged it way more on where the ball is in relation to the fielder than anything else. BJ is totally correct in that many umpires make the IF call way too early on what turns out to be an uncatchable ball. I also have made the IF call AFTER the play many times...which I think is way better than calling it too early. |
| May 21, 2018 The Screamer5 | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Heart of Texas - Georgetown Gentlemen, we all had to see this coming. 58 total teams, only 4 fields, umpire shortages, heavy rain coming, etc., etc.,. There was no way around not having MAJOR scheduling issues and conflicts ALL weekend. I don't know what the TDs could've done to prevent any of that AFTER the tournament got started. I totally agree with Heater40 that they should've known BEFOREHAND the maximum number of teams they could have entered on the number of fields available to allow for more consistent scheduling. It was a nightmare for everyone involved. That said, we tried our best to adjust to a bad situation. I would suggest next time there is a field availability shortage that you try to get the smaller groupings completed and out the way first because you need more fields available at one time to work thru the bigger brackets. Sunday, it seemed like they were attempting get thru several age/divisions at the same time, which caused for even more confusion and frustration that was probably needed. |
| May 16, 2018 The Screamer5 | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Heart of Texas - Georgetown Papajoe56, you kind of answered a BIG part of your disappointment in the last line of your post. I would imagine what a scheduling nightmare it was for the TD and his staff to schedule a 58 team tournament on only four fields. That's A LOT of games!!! There could be no other reason for starting so early (6AM) and going well into the night (10:15PM). I'm guessing they might also go to 45 mins or 50 mins (plus buffet) game time limit and starting with a 1-1 count, no courtesy for everyone to get it ALL in. I guess they have to do whatever they got to do to get it finished. |
| April 25, 2018 The Screamer5 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: The Screamer5 OZ40, for some reason, you refuse to let it go. Lol. I don't know why you feel so strongly against this change... but I guess time will tell. What I said was I feel the change will have minimal impact on the GAME. It's a major change for ME personally because of my normal patient approach...but one that I will have absolutely NO problem adjusting to. It doesn't always end in success but I still plan on hitting the ball hard regardless of what the starting count is. Hopefully you will do the same. Its still underhand, slow pitch softball. Hit the ball! I'll let you have the last word my brother. Good luck this season! |
| April 24, 2018 The Screamer5 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Runner's right to the base BJ is spot on. The runner does not have to give up his legal position on the bag for a fielder to make a play on the ball. Its totally the umpire's judgement as to whether or not the runner intentionally interferes with the fielder's play on the ball...whether he is on the bag or not. I have had players (on the bag) shift or move in a manner that I considered an intentional, deliberate attempt to impede the fielder's play on a pop up in the infield and I made the call of interference. Of course, my call didn't go over well with team who was batting. |
| April 24, 2018 The Screamer5 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: 1-1 count and new ball OZ40, you're free to comment (hopefully respectfully) on any subject at any time you wish, just like everyone else. Please don't take it so personal. We simply disagree on this topic, which is okay. I believe any changes to the game will be minimal. (Just my opinion) You just can't be as patient/selective as a hitter. That's a major change for me as I almost always take a strike before swinging... so I will definitely have to change my approach by being completely ready when I step in the box and put a good swing on the first good pitch I see. Hopefully you're also able to adjust to the new rule for this year. Something tells me you will be just fine. |
| April 23, 2018 The Screamer5 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: 1-1 count and new ball I know we've dragged this topic out plenty enough... but I'm just curious. What exactly is the reason for the resistance to starting with a 1 - 1 count? Is a just tradition? (I can understand that.) Is it a reluctance to CHANGE? Do you think your hitting will suffer or your team's success hangs in the balance? Do you suddenly feel less comfortable in the box when the count is 1 - 1? Do you feel the pitcher is in any more eminent danger when the count is 1 - 1 than he or she is when starting 0 - 0? To me the pitcher is always vulnerable regardless of the count. (My experience is a team is more apt to go up the middle when they are out of HRs, not simply starting with a 1 - 1 count). Is it you think the game will be somehow sped up? The game is still 55, 60, 65 minutes then a buffet so the game time limit is still in affect. So I don't believe the new rule was put in place to get you off the field any quicker. I honestly think the rule was changed to get the batter to swing a little earlier than he would've normally, thus increasing the amount of "game action" in the allotted amount time. If that's the outcome, I don't see anything wrong with that. I believe mck71 put it best in this thread...he doesn't like the new change but he will make the adjustments. Gentlemen, try to make the necessary adjustments. Good luck this season...!!! |
| April 12, 2018 The Screamer5 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: 1-1 count and new ball OZ40. I apologize if you took offense to my post. Certainly didn't mean any disrespect. A message board is nothing but our opinions. (Nothing more/nothing less.) No one here said you weren't entitled to yours. On this topic, the only opinion that really counts is the National Rules Committee and they have spoken. My suggestion was only to try to give it a chance. My opinion here again, but being negative about something you can't change can only negatively impact you. Don't let the change effect your play or your attitude towards SSUSA as a whole. Let it go my brother. Good luck this season! |
| April 11, 2018 The Screamer5 | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: 1-1 count and new ball We get it gentlemen, you are not in favor of the starting with a 1-1 count. No offense my senior brothers but complaining about it isn't going to help because its here for at least this year. Try your best to give it a chance. After one year, if what you're saying is true for most senior players, it will probably be changed back to 0-0. For me as an umpire, I think I like it because it will possibly allow the batter to put the ball in play sooner which means we may get more game "action" in the allotted time. (I don't think its main intent is to speed the game up but if it does, what's wrong with that?) As a player, it doesn't really matter. I will try to be more ready to hit when I first step in the box this year. (I normally always take a strike before swinging...but I'll just have to make the adjustment this year.) In the end, Its still underhanded, slow pitch softball. I don't know how much more comfortable or relaxed I need to be in the box. I just don't think its that serious a change to our game. Time will tell. Just my opinion. |
| March 31, 2018 The Screamer5 | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Texas State Championships turnout This is just one Texas Senior Team's perspective. It wasn't that the Texas Championships are being hosted by El Paso this year that drove our decision not to go. (We figure its only fair that this tournament be held in West Texas every now and then as our good brothers out that way never complain about the long drive east for most every other senior tournament here in Texas.) For us it had more to do with the scheduling. As stated earlier in this thread, SPA is holding their annual Salute to Military Veterans tournament in College Station during the same week as the Texas State Championships. Our team voted and we chose to attend SPA's tournament mainly because a lot of our team is composed of veterans. If not for the conflict, we would probably be going to El Paso next week...regardless of the long drive or the turnout. Our point is with a little forward thinking & communication, SSUSA's biggest tournament here in Texas (State Championships) and SPAs biggest tournament here in Texas (Salute to Veterans) shouldn't have been scheduled for the same week if at all possible. As a side note, it is disheartening to hear that no other city or area besides El Paso expressed an interest in hosting the State Championships this year (regardless of the process). C'mon senior players in Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, etc., etc.,....! It's time to step it up! |
