[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by Justme

The rules of softball are not that different from baseball. Sure there are differences but there are many more similarities. Does it bother you that I, primarily a baseball umpire, work softball games? In our HS association we have several umpires working both sports.

I'll first apologize for the namecalling, delete your understandable response, and get back to the actual topic. Although I do feel compelled to say that the only reason the "balk" part was focused on was because that was completely false, even if you accept your initial suggestion that we, the readers, should merely replace the word balk with "illegal pitch". The two terms, while similar, are used interchangeably by those folks completely unfamiliar with softball rules, when in fact any umpire worth his salt knows they are very different things.

You start with a comment here that DOES bother me a lot - "The rules of softball are not that different from baseball." It bothers me because it gives the entirely wrong idea to those out there that think they know baseball rules, therefore they know softball rules. They ARE different in many significant ways.

It does not bother me AT ALL that a primarily baseball umpire works softball games. (I work both about equally, by the way). What DOES bother me (and most umpires) is that a primarily baseball umpire works softball games with a host of misconceptions based on their baseball upbringing. You obviously feel that the differences in the rules are minimal, which leads me to the conclusion that you probably shouldn't be on the softball field.

Because an umpire works primarily one sport or the other doesn't detract from their ability.

It does if they do not acknowledge or understand that the sports are different.

Just like the rest of the umpire's working softball I still hustle into position; I still use the proper mechanics;

Great - I applaud you, and wish all umpires took pride in their hustle and mechanics.

I enforce the the same rules

Ah, we're back off track again. These sports do NOT have the same rules. And it's obviously (from other threads and this one) the case that your understanding of the rules and their differences is most lacking on the softball side.

What I am lacking and what the other members in our association are lacking is the apparent animosity that exists between softball/baseball umpires on this board.

I have no such animosity (if I did, I don't know which side I'd be forced to take!). You've misread my animosity, which is actually toward baseball umpires who quote baseball rules to apply to softball situations OR VICE VERSA, or umpires who walk on the field without knowing the rules.

I'll end with an apology for the "idiot" comment once again. It was uncalled for, and an overreaction on my part. Sorry bout that. You can see you struck a nerve - my bad for letting it push me into namecalling.

Now ... let's all go play dominos.