College Umps....

[KJUmp]

Originally Posted by Chess Ref

I'm getting ready to start the process for doing college ball. This will be a Juco, D2 & D3 level stuff.

Anybody feel like giving me some advice in umping the college game.....like should I have a tighter strike zone, any obvious rule differences I need to learn....

things along those lines.....

If you do not have one already, go online and in addition to the NCAA Softball Rule book, order yourself a copy of the Collegiate Commisoners Association (CCA) Softball Umpires Manual. It covers absolutely everything you need to know in the way of mechanics for umpiring NCAA softball for both 2 man and 3 man crews.
More importantly however (IMHO) it goes into the the philosophy, spirit, and rational for how the NCAA wants the college game called.
As an example; you asked in your post..."should I have a tighter strike zone?"
This is a direct quote from the book by Kathy Strahm, the NCAA National Coordinator for Softball Umpires...."I continue to hear complaints about the strike zone. There are two aspects to calling a good zone: accuracy and consistency. Calling an accurate zone means calling balls and strikes by the zone a defined in the rule book. Period. Balls six inches off the plate are not strikes, no matter what the umpire "thinks" the coaches, pitchers, or batters want. Calling a consistent zone means establishing the zone with the frst batter and continuing that zone through the last pitch of the game."
Pretty good stuff (IMHO)...if you don't have it, get it. It's worth the money.
Good luck with college ball.

[Andy]

For me, the biggest adjustment I had to make between HS/JO ball and College ball was "handling" the coaches.

In my experience, College coaches seem to think that they are in charge of everything on the field. They like to come out of the dugout and question calls or rule interpretations..not necessarily because they think the umpire is wrong, but trying to "work" the umpire for the next call. Some coaches just like to play head games and/or try to intimidate umpires, especially new ones at the college level. Chess Ref, if I remember correctly, you are a fairly accomplished basketball official, so you know how BB coaches are always trying to "work" the officials. Lots of the same type of stuff in college softball.

Make sure you study and learn the differences in the rules. Some of the NCAA rules are obscure, to say the least. The CCA manual is also a must read for college officials.

But most of all...it's still softball.....

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Andy

For me, the biggest adjustment I had to make between HS/JO ball and College ball was "handling" the coaches.

In my experience, College coaches seem to think that they are in charge of everything on the field......

Andy,

Haven't you been listening? They ARE in charge, just ask any one of them, they'll set you straight.