What do you say

[mcrowder]

I am almost always the first to work with a very new guy. First thing I explain to them is the major differences between baseball (i.e. their preconceived notions) and ASA softball. Second is positioning and selling the call.

Then I make sure they understand what is their responsibility and what is my responsibility, and I usually make sure they understand the "mirror call" on a check-swing wild pitch with 2 strikes (so we don't have the fiasco of a very late 3rd strike call that we have to fix).

Then just before gametime I make sure they understand that it's completely ok if they call time after a play is over to ask me something if they are unclear on something (this usually turns out to be them seeing interference or obstruction, but not knowing exactly what to call), and then also explain that they are responsible for their own calls and that I'll back them up publicly, even if they mess up.