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Originally Posted by DaveASA/FED
Ok I know the reason, makes us quicker to react to a batted ball. BUT one thing that just bothers me is both FED and ASA want you to come to a complete stop when preparing to make a call (judge safe or out at first) don't have your eyes moving when you are judging a call. Which I agree with, you get a much better view when stationary. Analogy used at NUS take two pictures, one while you are running the other why standing still which will be more clear.
Now my point, as a base umpire we are to be walking the line while the pitcher is delivering, placing us into a moving condition when we are to be judging feet for an illegal pitch. Argueable one of the biggest judgement calls in all of softball (well I think hands down the most, based on the posts on a few forums recently) and now they require us to be moving when we try to call it. With a heavy dragger where there is a 2" hole in front of the pitching plate and the other teams pitcher is a "floater" staying level to the ground, that is not there, so I have to judge if she would have been in contact with the ground if it wasn't dug out in front....I am now making that judgment with a shaky camera. I agree we are moving slowly on the lines so we do have a decent view, just something that has been rolling around in my head that doesn't make sense to me. Thanks for reading I feel better now....
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Do you understand that you really are not "walking" the line. It's right foot forward on the release, left foot down and pushing off a moment after the bat hits the ball. If you cannot maintain focus just because you slightly move your right foot, you are either doing something wrong or need to see an ophthalmologist.
There is nothing wrong with the mechanic. One of the reasons it was brought back is because many umpires requested it. It is safer for the umpire to be moving as many would lock into a position and not be able to move quick enough to avoid a ball or fielder. The movement also provides the umpire with more time to evaluate the imminent play and find the appropriate position to make the call. There is no need to expend any additional effort and may actually save you a breath or two.