Baseball vs. Softball

[ilyazhito]

Carrying the ball to the rubber may not be a standard softball mechanic, but that is one which I noticed certain umpires use, along with brushing the rubber and bases, and using indicators on the bases (not standard practice in baseball above Little League Majors level).

To avoid confusion, I explicitly specify that something is done a certain way in baseball, and may ask for the equivalent way to do the same thing in softball. Certain things are similar (use of the slot, calls at 1st base, clearing the catcher), so I don't feel that it is harmful to infer a certain similarity between officiating the 2 sports. However, baseball is my primary spring sport, so I use that as a point of reference should I encounter something unfamiliar in softball (I had to explicitly note the differences between the baseball and softball strike zone, the rule on when a bunt attempt can be considered a strike, and whether a base is a safe haven from being called out when hit by a batted ball).

I am interested to hear what both baseball and softball umpires have to say about the two sports and the officiating practices thereof. Maybe softball can borrow a few useful techniques from baseball umpires (the wedge and baseball plate umpire stances), because I have noticed that softball has given me more practice behind the plate, and has helped me improve my timing for baseball.