Quote:
Originally Posted by Publius
Softball doesn't deserve parity with baseball. This isn't like basketball or soccer where the boys and girls play the same game, sexually segregated. Baseball and softball are different sports.
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They aren't THAT different - both require the same skills set, the same kinds of judgement needed. The only difference are different rules and mechanics. I assist in our new candidates clinic, and the main problem we have with experienced baseball umpires is them having to learn SOFTBALL rules and mechanics - they already have the judgement skills someone totally knew lacks.
Softball is almost always far easier to officiate, and typically takes a lot less time. Around here, you can put twenty baseball umpires and twenty softball umpires in a line-up and be able to tell, with 80%-90% accuracy, who works which sport based solely on physical appearance.
Thats total BS - typical baseball arrogance. Softball is a FASTER game operationally. And our mechanics require a hell of a lot more hustle from the umpire. Our BUs don't have the luxury of standing in the middle of the infield with runners on, so we have to HUSTLE to call infield plays. So yeah, you can tell the difference between baseball only umps and softball only umps.
One more thing, and this is the point we have been trying to make for YEARS - our EXPENSES are exactly the same - Gerry Davis does NOT give a 'softball discount' on our gear. Nor is there a softball discount on gas.
And why do so many officials so object to receiving a 1099? (That's a rhetorical question.) It's ironic that so many members working in a profession in which integrity is integral to performance are dedicated off the court and field to cheating on their taxes I totally agree with you there....