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Originally Posted by Dakota
No self-respecting softball organization would assign baseball-only umpires to their softball national tournament.
The above statement includes LL softball. See if you can find it.
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I don't disagree with you. Fact are facts and it's a well-known fact that LL Baseball is the golden goose and EVERYTHING else takes a back seat. I have actually served on our district staff for the past 3 years and softball is most usually an afterthought. I've also heard LL evaluators state that "if you can work a 60' diamond you can do either sport." I said, "Mechanically, yes - rule wise? NO." That's just their way of justifying putting baseball only guys on a softball field. When I did the regionals in 04 - there were a couple of guys that did ZERO softball games that year prior to walking on the field at the regionals. One of them did a fantastic job - of course the night before he and I sat up talking softball rules as a refresher.
I think bkbjones hit the nail when he talked about taking guys that didn't get a baseball WS and sticking them on a softball field. I have also noticed that those that attend the LL training get's preferred treatment.
I still hope to get there one day - but whether I do or don't will not define my career as an umpire.