Top Baseball/Softball Rules Myths, 2011 Edition

[Rich]

Originally Posted by TwoBits

Yes. If you want games, you better be able to do both.

I'd quit first. I despise softball. I worked it for a few seasons and actually got one step from the state tourney when I lived in Tennessee, but haven't worked a game since 1996. And wouldn't.

[TwoBits]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I'd quit first. I despise softball. I worked it for a few seasons and actually got one step from the state tourney when I lived in Tennessee, but haven't worked a game since 1996. And wouldn't.

I only half agree with you. I despise BAD softball, and not all of it is bad. You get two pitchers that can pitch and two teams with girls willing to swing, then it can be a very enjoyable day at the ballfield. However, I will agree that softball with two bad teams (or one bad team, for that matter), really stinks.

[Simply The Best]

Originally Posted by TwoBits

I only half agree with you. I despise BAD softball, and not all of it is bad. You get two pitchers that can pitch and two teams with girls willing to swing, then it can be a very enjoyable day at the ballfield.

Make that two accomplished Men's fastpitch teams, working the plate, it's enjoyable and a breeze to do!

[Rich]

Originally Posted by TwoBits

I only half agree with you. I despise BAD softball, and not all of it is bad. You get two pitchers that can pitch and two teams with girls willing to swing, then it can be a very enjoyable day at the ballfield. However, I will agree that softball with two bad teams (or one bad team, for that matter), really stinks.

I'd rather work a bad baseball game. Seriously, I simply won't do it. Thankfully, here we can license for baseball and not softball and simply tell the assignors "I don't work softball."

[biggravy]

Same here. When I started in 1996, baseball and softball umpires were paid the same. Of course, it was far easier to get softball umpires. I initially was registered for both but after one year I asked to only work baseball. I knew it would help the assigner and get me more games. A couple years later the pay rate for baseball increased but still around here we have far more softball umpires than baseball umpires.

[yawetag]

Originally Posted by biggravy

Same here. When I started in 1996, baseball and softball umpires were paid the same. Of course, it was far easier to get softball umpires. I initially was registered for both but after one year I asked to only work baseball. I knew it would help the assigner and get me more games. A couple years later the pay rate for baseball increased but still around here we have far more softball umpires than baseball umpires.

Interesting. Here, we have about 200 baseball officials, but about half that for softball. I did it in 2009 and that was enough for me.

[Robert E. Harrison]

We have had this a couple of times in the past. Is there any difference in Fed and OBR. Do we require the pitcher to decide how he will pitch or the batter to decide how he will bat first?

[tjones1]

Originally Posted by Robert E. Harrison

We have had this a couple of times in the past. Is there any difference in Fed and OBR. Do we require the pitcher to decide how he will pitch or the batter to decide how he will bat first?

Fed/NCAA: Pitcher.

OBR: Each may change once.

Edit: Added OBR

[Simply The Best]

Originally Posted by biggravy

Same here. When I started in 1996, baseball and softball umpires were paid the same. Of course, it was far easier to get softball umpires. I initially was registered for both but after one year I asked to only work baseball. I knew it would help the assigner and get me more games. A couple years later the pay rate for baseball increased but still around here we have far more softball umpires than baseball umpires.

If you take the word of the national, regional and local softball associations, this is true nationwide. There appears to be a much bigger turnover in baseball, the older umpires migrate more often to softball only.

What is fun is to observe the generally "superior" position in officialdom that baseball umpires take. Regardless of pay.

[tjones1]

I, too, wouldn't work if I was forced to officiate softball.

[bob jenkins]

Be civil or be gone.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I'd quit first. I despise softball. I worked it for a few seasons and actually got one step from the state tourney when I lived in Tennessee, but haven't worked a game since 1996. And wouldn't.

My instructions to my best umpiring friends is that if they ever see me umpiring a softball game, shoot me. I would have obviously lost my mind and should be put out of my misery.

[Gulf Coast Blue]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I'd quit first. I despise softball. I worked it for a few seasons and actually got one step from the state tourney when I lived in Tennessee, but haven't worked a game since 1996. And wouldn't.

Why Rich.....what do you find so distasteful. The beer tastes the same after the game.

And thanks Bob.

Joel

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Gulf Coast Blue

Why Rich.....what do you find so distasteful. The beer tastes the same after the game.

And thanks Bob.

Joel

The uneducated coaches. The parents. The singing. The incessant slap hitting. I hate all of it. I'd rather watch soccer or cricket on TV than softball.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

The uneducated coaches. The parents. The singing. The incessant slap hitting. I hate all of it. I'd rather watch soccer or cricket on TV than softball.

Don't forget the ridiculous, "mandated" mechanics.