Watch the ball, glance at the runner....
This play occurs frequently at most levels of softball. The key is that once you do the "Pause, read, and react", try not to spend too much energy getting inside. Most umpires head straight for a holding pattern just outside the circle. Bad things happen before they get turned around again. I have done many umpire evaluations this year centering around the long run before turning and picking up the ball.
I really like the ASA and College mechanic of shooting in about 10 feet from first to about 10 feet from the foul line, picking up the ball as I pivot, glancing at the runner to judge speed, and then picking up the ball again to predict the play. The distance covered (if you are in the proper starting position) is about 30 feet. At umpire afterburner (4 miles per hour) you should be able to cover this distance in about 4 to 5 seconds.
Try staying closer to first on your pivot next time and you will see how wonderful it is to have all the time in the world to see what is happening.
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