GeneralMLBBy Matt Clapp on

Alabama and Georgia faced off in the Southeast Regional of the Little League World Series on Monday night.

And in the second inning, Georgia’s Chase Fralick was at the plate with a 3-0 count. Fralick thought he drew a walk on a pitch that appeared high, and started heading to first base. After the left-handed hitter took a few steps down the line, the home plate umpire called it a strike.

So, it became a 3-1 count. The next pitch was clearly outside, with the catcher reaching into the right-handed batter’s box. Again, Fralick started going to first base. And again, the umpire called a strike.

Finally, on the 3-2 pitch, Fralick earned a walk (on a pitch that looked just like the 3-1 pitch).

Here’s the sequence, via @cjzero:

Now, umpires hate when players start going to first base before the call is made; they see it as the player acting as the umpire on their own. And sure, the player should probably respect that and just wait a second for the call to be made.

But in this instance, come on. We’re talking a game between kids that are 11 to 12 years old. And, a highly important game at that, so maybe put aside the ego to get the calls right here.

At least Fralick got the walk in the end. And his Georgia squad came away with an 8-3 victory to advance to the Southeast Regional championship game.

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.

View all posts by Matt Clapp

1 thought on “We had an #UmpShow at the Little League World Series regionals”

  1. the umpire show in the SE regionals last night in warner robins is a great case to stop these volunteer umpires. the kids deserve better than this asshole.

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