Pleasureable Tournament
 

Yeah, I know an oxymoronic topic. Seriously, I had the pleasure of working a tournament during the day the past couple days in which men aged 65 and over played for regional and national tournament bids. Very cordial discussions and compliments from the players and coaches after the games. Ahhhh, I love the wisdom that comes with age. Wish every softball player that doesn't play at the senior level could see this stuff, and learn a thing or two about sportsmanship.

I agree completely. Last year, we had minimal problems at the Senior Men's National. The UIC for that tournament is a firm believer that the players who play those tourneys keep the game the way it was meant to be played.

I, for one, agree.

I don't know, there are some real ornery and cantankerous old ****s out there.....

But overall, I agree. Now, if those old farts would get rid of that damn mat! :D

You're not THAT bad, Mike... :D

Oh I agree with you there! Unfortunately, that's the rule as it currently stands, so that's what I call.

i like that mat, make's calling balls and strikes so much easier in SP. I've done alot of FP as well as Baseball but I still can not for the life of me figure out how to call the SP strike zone. Any of ya'll got any advice on it?

Yes, stop looking at the ground. Use the same mechanics and set as in FP and look over the plate through the zone.

Be patient and observant. In time, you'll learn how to judge what kind of a swing it would take to hit various pitches coming in at various angles and speeds.

Bear in mind that where a pitch lands has NOTHING to do with whether or not it is a strike. However, for newer umpires, watching where it lands is just one way to survive until they get better at calling the plate.

All you can do is keep calling games and stay observant. Watch what the batters swing at, and whether they have to reach up or down and out for the ball.

I dare say that the SP strike zone is the toughest to call. FP and MP come in at a relatively straight line. SP comes in at bizarre angles.

They're ornery alright, in a good way, to each other. Some of their "slams" at each other were hilarious.