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Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser
I respect a lot of what you write, but there's no way that this is true. Consider the baseball umpire who:
(1) has to take a batter-runner to second or third because the base umpire went out. Plate umpire, of course.
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No different in softball
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(2) has to cover third on a first-to-third, especially on a hit-and-run. Plate umpire, of course.
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No different in softball
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(3) has to pivot into the diamond with 90 foot bases and college/pro athletes and having to pivot in front of them. Base umpire, of course.
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When there is nobody on base. You cut that to swivel and handful of steps with runners on base. Softball is all from the outside of the diamond which means doing the exact same thing in softball on every ball to the OF. Are the players as fast? Yeah, in the equal levels (college/pro) and with only 2/3 of the distance to cover.
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I work 60-foot bases during Little League tournament season. We work behind the runners, just like softball umpires do. It feels like I am anywhere I need to be in about 5 steps.
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No argument with the exception of the extra base hit. But you are talking about 11-12 yo. Try working that field with adults playing at the same level of those which you wouldn't even think of working anything less than 90' bases. You might draw a different opinion
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Different strokes for different folks, I guess. I'd rather work 1 good baseball game than 3 softball games. Others feel differently. Whoopee.
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I agree. The best deal is the high level tournament where you work one game in the morning, one in the afternoon and one in the evening.
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Now, I did like working FP when I had decent pitching and fielding. I felt my reflexes had to be a bit better when working the bases, for certain. But I just didn't get enough good pitching and I'd rather work baseball with mediocre pitching than softball with mediocre pitching.
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And if I work FP, I prefer mediocre pitching which often allows more hitting which means more offense which means more plays and action on the field. The 1-0, 20 strike out performances are, to me, boring.