From the baseball board....

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by ctblu40

I don't own one because I don't work Softball.

As far as baseball, my NCAA assignor frowns on carrying one while a BU.

Also, to make the statement that you need to be in better shape to work softball than baseball... I disagree. I know lots of SP umpires who work softball because they can no longer keep up on the big diamond, so that will never hold water with me...

That is an excuse, not a reason. The field is only smaller in dimensions. The little ball game umpire cuts the coverage area by working inside with a runner on base, softball stays outside, but must still cover the plays accross the field.

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

I respect a lot of what you write, but there's no way that this is true. Consider the baseball umpire who:

(1) has to take a batter-runner to second or third because the base umpire went out. Plate umpire, of course.

(2) has to cover third on a first-to-third, especially on a hit-and-run. Plate umpire, of course.

(3) has to pivot into the diamond with 90 foot bases and college/pro athletes and having to pivot in front of them. Base umpire, of course.

I work 60-foot bases during Little League tournament season. We work behind the runners, just like softball umpires do. It feels like I am anywhere I need to be in about 5 steps.

Different strokes for different folks, I guess. I'd rather work 1 good baseball game than 3 softball games. Others feel differently. Whoopee.

Now, I did like working FP when I had decent pitching and fielding. I felt my reflexes had to be a bit better when working the bases, for certain. But I just didn't get enough good pitching and I'd rather work baseball with mediocre pitching than softball with mediocre pitching.

Rich,
I think a lot of what you've said also fits the softball game.
Sure, it's a smaller diamond - this means you need to be faster in FP. When doing FP, your reflexes do need to be better on the bases and the timing needs to be better on the plate. Look at the top players in each - the top major leaguers can't hit the top womone's pitching. How do you think those major leaguers would do when facing some of the top men pitchers that I see.
Now the baseball I see is not great and I'm the first to admit that my mechanics are not great - I'll do some high school, Legion, and adult wood bat. I feel like I have too much time to get into position because the ball moves so much slower in BB. It doesn't matter whether it's covering a steal, taking a B-R as far as I need to when BU chases, or taking a B-R into 3rd while I'm BU - the game is a whole lot slower.

If I remember right, Rich - you're out in Wisconsin - right? You've got some really good men's major FP out there, some of the best in the world. Go watch a few of those games and I think you'll see what Mike referred to as needing to be faster to work softball than you need to in order to do baseball.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

I respect a lot of what you write, but there's no way that this is true. Consider the baseball umpire who:

(1) has to take a batter-runner to second or third because the base umpire went out. Plate umpire, of course.

No different in softball

(2) has to cover third on a first-to-third, especially on a hit-and-run. Plate umpire, of course.

No different in softball

(3) has to pivot into the diamond with 90 foot bases and college/pro athletes and having to pivot in front of them. Base umpire, of course.

When there is nobody on base. You cut that to swivel and handful of steps with runners on base. Softball is all from the outside of the diamond which means doing the exact same thing in softball on every ball to the OF. Are the players as fast? Yeah, in the equal levels (college/pro) and with only 2/3 of the distance to cover.

I work 60-foot bases during Little League tournament season. We work behind the runners, just like softball umpires do. It feels like I am anywhere I need to be in about 5 steps.

No argument with the exception of the extra base hit. But you are talking about 11-12 yo. Try working that field with adults playing at the same level of those which you wouldn't even think of working anything less than 90' bases. You might draw a different opinion

Different strokes for different folks, I guess. I'd rather work 1 good baseball game than 3 softball games. Others feel differently. Whoopee.

I agree. The best deal is the high level tournament where you work one game in the morning, one in the afternoon and one in the evening.

Now, I did like working FP when I had decent pitching and fielding. I felt my reflexes had to be a bit better when working the bases, for certain. But I just didn't get enough good pitching and I'd rather work baseball with mediocre pitching than softball with mediocre pitching.

And if I work FP, I prefer mediocre pitching which often allows more hitting which means more offense which means more plays and action on the field. The 1-0, 20 strike out performances are, to me, boring.

[jkumpire]

Irish,

I just read your reply to my last post, I am sorry I irritated you. We'll just have to agree to disagree here, and I hope you have some good SB this Summer.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by jkumpire

Irish,

I just read your reply to my last post, I am sorry I irritated you. We'll just have to agree to disagree here, and I hope you have some good SB this Summer.

Funny, but I don't seen any indication I offered to show irritation. For that matter, I thought the post showed agreement and distinctive comparisions between the games.