slowpitch

[umpharp]

I do both....all 3 if you include modified. I prefer modified and JO ball during the regular season. The level of ball is much better than our local slow pitch leagues. I have, however, had a lot of fun working State SP tournaments. I'm pretty sure its because most of the teams in a state tourny play a better level of ball than most local leagues.
Your local league is a "retarded fat guy sport" because your local league has allowed it to become that. Most SP leagues are good and competitive.

Welcome to the board.....you'll find a lot of good information for all levels and associations on this board.

[wadeintothem]

last year was my first foray into slow pitch and I worked the local beer league.

I did not particularly enjoy officiating the game, I found it much more boring than fast pitch (especially the womens beer league, which was the worst ball I've ever witnessed in my life). I wont work the beer league again so long as the guy running it keeps running it due to the fact he is a slime ball about paying. In fact, hes in a heap of trouble from many umps.

I may try to get into some of the ASA TOurney's run through our Assoc. though. Give real slow pitch a shot and see if its any different.

[NDblue]

I agree that lower level "beer league" softball is not a very interesting sport to officiate but the upper levels of SP are just as much fun as anything else I've umpired. You can get some pretty serious ball played at the upper levels of SP and as an umpire, you best be on your toes because there, the coaches/managers actually read the rule book.

[Ran.D]

Call a good bit of SP in our local league and tournaments. It's great so long as the teams show some class and appreciate the game.

The majority of the teams show respect and realize it's a game played for fun. But........get a bad attitude team on a bad night and it can be miserable.

I've had teams make 10+ errors in an inning, consume way too many, lose by the run rule and still blame their loss on one close call that didn't go their way.

It really helps to keep the game going at a good pace and continue to act professionally, no matter how sloppy the level of play becomes. Make calls quick and decisively, if conferences are necessary, keep them short.

I know, this is true for any type of play, but in SP every guy/girl in the dugout thinks they're the coach. Don't give them time to start whining and creatively interpreting the rules.

[tcblue13]

Let's not forget about "modified"