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Originally Posted by Ump Steve
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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On a ball to the outfield (when BU is not going out), there should be no pause. If not going out, the BU should be coming inside immediately. If they hesitate, the umpire will struggle to get inside and stay out of the play.
I noticed in this post, you never mentioned watching the runner touch the base. Well, that is the responsibility of the BU. Everyone is so worried about picking up the ball. This is important, but finding a ball being retrieved in the OF is not as important as watching the runner touch the base. If you really want to be embarrassed, have a runner cut 1B by 5 feet and then have to tell the coach you missed your primary responsibility that everyone in the stadium saw.
It is easier for some and much of this comes from experience. Quite a few long term veterans will tell you they have a sense about them during the game. It tells them when to turn to see the runner or pick up a ball coming from the outfield. It may sound strange, but I can watch a ball in the OF while running inside and I will "feel" the BR approaching 1B, turn to see the touch and then return to the ball. I know, sounds weird, but that's the way it works for me.