Softball

Softball

They’re Counting On it

One of the most important jobs for softball umpires is game management. And one of the most overlooked aspects of game management is giving...

Handling Tough Situations on Difficult Pitches

One of the toughest jobs for a softball umpire is ruling on inside pitches. There is a lot happening at once and there are a lot of moving...

6 Tips to Improve Your Plate Performance

Everyone wants to be known as a good plate umpire. When coaches think about preferred and non-preferred lists of umpires for postseason playoffs, they...

In ‘Crews’ Control

T here is nothing more beautiful in softball umpiring than watching a crew work together to cover the diamond. When it is a well-oiled machine,...

Equipment Commitment

The NFHS Softball Rules Committee made two significant changes to player equipment, involving the wearing of head coverings and beads, and approved six other...

A Pre-Pitch Checklist For Maximum Performance

An old British Army adage known as the “7 P Rule” originated during World War II. The gist of the rule is that proper prior planning prevents poor...

An Inside Job

O ne of the toughest jobs for a softball umpire is ruling on inside pitches. There is a lot happening at once and there are...

What’s Your Angle?

Although most umpires would prefer working in crews of three or four, the two-umpire system, if used properly, actually provides for good coverage in...

Strike First With Slow-Pitch Pitchers

One topic that garners a lot of discussion among baseball umpires is whether or not you should describe pitches for pitchers. That discussion also depends a great deal...

They’re Counting on It

One of the most important jobs for softball umpires is game management. And one of the most overlooked aspects of game management is giving...

Game-Time Decisions

By Rick Woelfel Watching an NCAA Division I crew at work is akin to attending an umpiring seminar. I was afforded that opportunity in late...

Thinking Outside the Box

The NCAA Softball Rules Committee and the Playing Rules Oversight Panel recently approved a significant amount of rule changes for the upcoming 2022 and...

Preventing Umpire Interference

The umpiring crew must be sure the playing field and other conditions are safe to start the game and all conditions remain safe throughout...

Basepath Blunders

A baserunner caught in a rundown between two bases can be among the most exciting plays in fast-pitch softball, but it also creates a...

Real Appeal

In a televised NCAA game last May, a player was so excited about hitting an out-of-the-park home run that she jumped over home plate...

8 Points for Pre-Pitch Planning

With each batter and before every pitch, umpires must do some pre-pitch planning. Where do I go on a hit to the outfield? A hit to...

Safe or Out, There Is No Tie

Fans, players and coaches are often heard yelling from the stands, “Tie goes to the runner!” However, no rule in baseball or softball has that phrase. A few...

Slap-Hitters and Bunters Force You To Think Outside The Box

With first base only 60 feet away from home plate in softball compared to 90 in baseball, the left-handed slap hit is a major...

The Difference Between Preventive Umpiring and Coaching

T here tends to be a debate among umpires regarding what should and should not be brought to the attention of coaches when it comes...

Keep it Between Us

Some unseen things that go on before, during and after a softball game would really surprise the casual or even rabid fan. First is the...

Location Notation

While watching MLB’s World Series last fall, I heard the plate umpire, who was wearing a microphone, call, “Ball, outside” after a pitch was...

Softball Crew Chief Responsibilities and How to Prepare

If you are reading this and you are not a crew chief but have that as one of your goals, congratulations. You are taking...

Be Careful Using Other Sports to Explain Softball Rules

No-calls are common to officiating in all sports. Sometimes it’s advantageous to use examples from other sports to explain softball rules and plays. Unfortunately,...

Tips On Staying Present

As an umpire, even we get nervous once and a while or you start to focus on a previous play. Maybe as the field umpire, your mind...

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