Almost embarrased myself

[DTQ_Blue]

I'm BU, there is a runner at 1B, batter hits ball in the air to RF, I sprint to my position inside the diamond thinking the ball may be going over F9s head. As I pivot I watch R1 touch 2B, and quickly try to pick up the ball to see if it's on its way back to IF. I see F9 with her back to the IF seeming to be picking the ball off the ground, but I didn't see the ball. I then look to my right to try to pick up BR, but I don't see her. I hold my gaze to my right for a second looking for BR and the next thing I see is action at 2B out of the left corner of my eye. Somehow I had missed BR altogether, and was not ready for the play at 2B. As I look toward 2B I see F4 having just applied a tag to BR who was on the base and they are both looking up at me for the call.

I give a safe signal figuring all hell will break loose if I'm wrong, at which point I'd go immediately to my partner and hope he could bail me out. Not a peep followed my call, so I at least had the right call.

Now one of a few things could have happened.

First perhaps I used enough time watching R1 touch 2B and then trying to pick up the ball, that BR was able to get past my visual zone before I realized it, so I'm looking for the train after it left the station. If this is what happened, then maybe I should watch R1 touch 2B first, then look for BR and then look for the ball. Comments?

The other interesting wrinkle is that tonight was the first time I have used glasses on the field. They are progressives with a close up correction for reading and a very very slight distance correction. Though I don't need them to call plays, I decided to use them for a twilight game because they help me read my indicator better in low light conditions. From what I read when I decided to get progressives vs bifocals, progressives can hamper your lateral vision, they are best for looking straight ahead. So perhaps that is why I couldn't catch BR passing me out of the corner of my eye. I'm thinking that I won't be wearing my glasses on the field again.

I know I didn't look good at all on that play, but it could have been a lot worse and I learned a few things.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by DTQ_Blue

Now one of a few things could have happened.

First perhaps I used enough time watching R1 touch 2B and then trying to pick up the ball, that BR was able to get past my visual zone before I realized it, so I'm looking for the train after it left the station. If this is what happened, then maybe I should watch R1 touch 2B first, then look for BR and then look for the ball. Comments?

My advice is to stick with what ASA refers to as the 4 elements - ball, offensive player, defensive player and the bases. Keeping all of them in front of you as much as possible will help you to avoid these situations. When I BU, I try to watch the fielder receive the hit ball (not judging caught/not caught) so I can judge how much time I have to move around. I try to watch the fielder as he/she throws the ball, so I can get a better idea of where the next play might be. Once that ball's released, it's a simple matter of physics - it keeps going in that direction until stopped or deflected, so that's when you can take your eyes off the ball.

If you lose the ball, check the other defensive players, such as F4 or F6. Most of the time with hits to the outfield, the ball will be heading in their direction, so pick up the play from there if you've truly lost where the ball's at.

It sounds like one of those periodic brain farts that everyone gets now and then. Last week, I had a slow R1 on 1B with a fast B2. B2 hit the ball to F6, who slung it to F3 for a bang-bang out. I sold the he!! out of the call, and as my right foot followed through, my body was still moving forward. I couldn't stop the follow-through, and couldn't turn fast enough when F3 slung the ball to F4, who tagged R1 after she got a cramp in her leg! Doh!

Fortunately, my PU is a seasoned vet, and he comes out from behind the plate on a regular basis. It actually looked like it was supposed to be called that way. Completely 110% wrong of us to do it that way, but Coed C certainly didn't know any better.

Moral of the story for both of us is move fast, but above all, move smart. Anticipate, but never assume.

[Ump Steve]

This play occurs frequently at most levels of softball. The key is that once you do the "Pause, read, and react", try not to spend too much energy getting inside. Most umpires head straight for a holding pattern just outside the circle. Bad things happen before they get turned around again. I have done many umpire evaluations this year centering around the long run before turning and picking up the ball.

I really like the ASA and College mechanic of shooting in about 10 feet from first to about 10 feet from the foul line, picking up the ball as I pivot, glancing at the runner to judge speed, and then picking up the ball again to predict the play. The distance covered (if you are in the proper starting position) is about 30 feet. At umpire afterburner (4 miles per hour) you should be able to cover this distance in about 4 to 5 seconds.

Try staying closer to first on your pivot next time and you will see how wonderful it is to have all the time in the world to see what is happening.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Ump Steve

This play occurs frequently at most levels of softball. The key is that once you do the "Pause, read, and react", try not to spend too much energy getting inside. Most umpires head straight for a holding pattern just outside the circle. Bad things happen before they get turned around again. I have done many umpire evaluations this year centering around the long run before turning and picking up the ball.

I really like the ASA and College mechanic of shooting in about 10 feet from first to about 10 feet from the foul line, picking up the ball as I pivot, glancing at the runner to judge speed, and then picking up the ball again to predict the play. The distance covered (if you are in the proper starting position) is about 30 feet. At umpire afterburner (4 miles per hour) you should be able to cover this distance in about 4 to 5 seconds.

Try staying closer to first on your pivot next time and you will see how wonderful it is to have all the time in the world to see what is happening.

On a ball to the outfield (when BU is not going out), there should be no pause. If not going out, the BU should be coming inside immediately. If they hesitate, the umpire will struggle to get inside and stay out of the play.

I noticed in this post, you never mentioned watching the runner touch the base. Well, that is the responsibility of the BU. Everyone is so worried about picking up the ball. This is important, but finding a ball being retrieved in the OF is not as important as watching the runner touch the base. If you really want to be embarrassed, have a runner cut 1B by 5 feet and then have to tell the coach you missed your primary responsibility that everyone in the stadium saw.

It is easier for some and much of this comes from experience. Quite a few long term veterans will tell you they have a sense about them during the game. It tells them when to turn to see the runner or pick up a ball coming from the outfield. It may sound strange, but I can watch a ball in the OF while running inside and I will "feel" the BR approaching 1B, turn to see the touch and then return to the ball. I know, sounds weird, but that's the way it works for me.