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Originally Posted by Steve M
You'll find, I think, that you need to move quicker and faster in softball than in baseball. In the baseball games I do, I feel like I've got all day to get into a calling position. In softball, that first step is crucial to getting where you need to be.
Angle over distance - agreed, but prioritize that as angle first, than cut the distance. You'll want to get in close on a tag play, maybe 6 feet or so.
Learn to examine each situation before the pitch - what am I going to do...
On the smaller field, proper mechanics are much more important, so learn them. Become a thinking umpire - to know the "why" of a mechanic.
That should be enough to start.
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Steve's comment added something that I left out. Yes, angle over distance, but close that gap as much as possible. 6' might be a bit close, as you may miss something about the play as a whole. I'd personally say 6-10 feet, but that's up to your org's mechanics (again, study the book). Too close, and you'll miss something, and you'll also have less room to give a proper out/safe sell. You want to be on top of the play, but not ON TOP of the play.
If you've got the good angle, but couldn't close the gap before the play, you can close it after the play by giving a good safe sell or an out sell. The mechanic will move you closer, and the participants will not always notice that you were actually further away when you saw the play. Just don't sell every play, or you'll end up looking like you're not comfortable making the calls. Kinda like the boss who marks everything "urgent." Eventually, it just loses its meaning...
For example, If you get set and see the out from 20 feet away, an out sell will bring you another 6-8 feet closer. When the runner looks up, you're right there, 12 feet away. A safe sell will bring you another 4 feet or so closer, depending on your stride.
ASA has made it very clear to us that we're not to make calls "on the run." They want all umpires to be stopped at the moment of the play so we can get a good view. The only exception that I've been told is during 2B to 1B double play. They'll allow you a little more flexibility to make the call at 2B while moving, but be stopped and set to make the call at 1B. Selling the safe or out call at 1B will again bring you closer to the play. This is just what I've heard.
Again, I point out that the above paragraph was for ASA, and you're calling NFHS. Defer to whatever NFHS tells you in their mechanics section.
