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Sorry, I have to disagree with all. The BU's responsibility is to get inside, watch the runners THEN pick-up the ball.
Experience will teach an umpire the priorities and how to make the most out of every play.
HOWEVER, the last thing you want to tell a relatively inexperienced umpire is to watch the ball. I tell every class I have that the hardest part of becoming an umpire on the bases is not following the ball. If you tell them to watch the ball, they will become a spectator and the PU will be the Lone Ranger out there 'cause Tonto is acting like s/he should have a dog and beer in her/his hands.
Though there are many, MANY different variations on how to cover certain plays with a particular number of umpires, you still need to have everyone start at the same place and work their way up from there.
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The bat issue in softball is as much about liability, insurance and litigation as it is about competition, inflated egos and softball.
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