NCAA Softball Umpires

[UMP25]

Originally Posted by WhiteHat Ref

Now I know this is a baseball forum, and I do umpire baseball, but in watching the NCAA softball tournament this weekend, especially the umpires, has anybody noticed that they are like robots on the field.

Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto---Domo domo...

[Texas Aggie]

At the risk of angering you guys (I don't do baseball and only did slow pitch softball in college), I'm going to have to side here with the uniformity of the softball umps. Individual style may be a baseball umpire tradition, but in some ways it creates laziness and provides an excuse for those who don't try and improve their game. I've always been a big fan of uniformity, but with one caveat: do what you must do to sell the call.

However, you guys are light years ahead of the softball folks in uniforms. I think the black shirts look sharp and are very authoritative. The blue pants in softball look like something out of the sixties, and look horrible with navy jackets. I keep waiting for them to wear beanies and ties too.

[eastdavis]

The guy who did home plate last night in the Arizona-Tennessee game was different than the rest. He made strike calls right away instead of waiting several seconds and held is arm at 45 degrees instead of 90.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

(I don't do baseball)

Hmmmm. I think I found Captain Obvious' secret identity.

[Jurassic Referee]

[QUOTE=GarthB]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

(I don't do baseball)QUOTE]

Hmmmm. I think I found Captain Obvious' secret identity.

Is that him?

[bossman72]

The stiff softball mechanics agitate me. They remind me of cheerleaders when they put their hand up in the air at the end of a cheer and strike a pose.

Also, i flipped through and seen this one PU in the NW/Wash game call a 10 second violation on the pitchers at least 5 times. It was ridiculous. I was thinking either this lady is the definition of OOO, or maybe that's the way softball wants it done. i dunno.

[RPatrino]

The way it has been explained to me is that softball is very concerned about umpires being 'bigger' then the game. They don't want to draw attention to themselves, thus the lack of 'selling' calls or different color uniforms.

They frown on 'non standard' mechanics, or colors or doing anything that makes anyone notice anything that you do above and beyond calling the rules and the game as it is meant to be.

[IRISHMAFIA]

I would try to explain it to you, but I don't think you guys have the wherewithal to comprehend the purpose and the common decency to understand that just because it isn't "your way" doesn't mean it is wrong.