Thats also my preferred method especially in championship play... sometimes though I do pick someone to pick at the showcases and whatever. In championship play, no goofin around with even that.

I agree that most upper level coaches immediately identify you as "just another goofy umpire" type if you go into all these unnecessary things in the pregame. Coaches that have been around 10-15+years - what are you really telling them when you go into your diatribe (NFHS mandated statements aside)?

Had a double flipper a couple of weekends ago. First time I ever had a partner who did the double flip. :cool:

The ONLY time I return a lineup card to a coach, is if I notice something wrong (such as a players # missing, or the coach forgot to sign it), which has been rare. Otherwise, whats the point? I will verbally mention each teams DH in what spot though..
If nothing looks wrong, why the need to re-verify? He filled it out. Does anyone think the coach will look over to compare #'s to correct players? All he's going to do is glance at it and hand it back, possibly offended, thinking "whats with this guy?- theres nothing wrong on my card"...

Everyone has their own pregame, sure,..... but I put this one with the "come talk to me if you have issues" comment

From the 2009 CCA Softball Umpires Manual:

"Once the plate umpire is satisfied that the lineup contains the necessary information, she should hand it back to the coach for a final look."

From the NFHS Softball Umpires Manual:

"Make certain you check each lineup card including first, last name, defensive positioning and number of each participant and hand it back to the coach for a last inspection."

In other words, you do it because it is what you are instructed to do. Once the lineup is handed back to you, it becomes official, and any problems that have been hitherto missed by the coach can now be penalized.

From the 2009 ASA Umpire Manual:

NSA wants a double flip during their tournaments.

Yesterday, I handed the lineup cards back tothe coaches to review and one wrote in a substitute who had come late and another had to double check the number of her flex. Sometimes they are prepared hours before a game and things can change. It is policy for our association and coaches have come to expect it.

Well, Skahtboi has cited the manuals. The rule books for Fed and ASA state that lineups are to be inspected by coaches/captains at the pregame. That implies they have to look at it and peruse it. That will prevent a problem that you did not notice and a bigger one when smart coach states that blue did not allow me to inspect the lineup. Now what are you going to rule and what is your UIC going to say when that screw up happens.

I suggest leaving your thoughts about this at the car and follow the instructions. Sometimes, our rules writers do write something wise.:):):)


Thanks, Ron

Hmm....that about covers it, doesn't it?

Or, maybe the coaches you have seen are looking at you, possibly offended, wondering why you didn't do as the rule book prescribes.... :rolleyes:

Things that are required by our NFHS association:
-"Are your players properly equipped?" (usually add, "All the jewelry off?" so they get the picture)
-"Did you bring a first aid kit?"
-Reminder about sportsmanship

One of my partners told me that in volleyball, they must read the entire statement about sportsmanship that the state association prints up on little cards for us. For softball we just tell them to remember good sportsmanship is expected.

Whoa everyone-- you All are correct. I'm just a currently bored baseball umpire that decided to float to a different sport's forum, and forgot where I was......until I went to change sites and thought "oh, thats right, this is softball, well, if Im wrong, I'll hear about it".

Fed baseball doesnt have the "hand back to coach" rule, just 4-1-3...shall deliver their respective batting orders in duplicate to the UIC. The umpire shall permit inspection by both head coaches...

Glad to know you softball officials are on your toes......

one of them thangs we gots to do.. its the ceremonial "ok its official" moment... after that its a sub.

OK stupid question...what the heck is a double flip?

My guess is that the umpire assigns heads/tails to the teams and whoever wins that flip calls the second flip.