Old Timers...aka Knowledge

[robbie]

Originally Posted by BretMan

A few examples of "expert advice" I've been given in recent years by seasoned officials:

- In the two-man system, a base umpire should NEVER go out on a fly ball. It's not one of our mechanics and it's not allowed. This bit of wisdom came to me from an umpire that was proud to tell me before the game that he'd been doing this for over forty years.


- In ASA softball, if the first play by an infielder is thrown out of play the award is two bases from the time of the pitch. I actually had two different umpires with over twenty years experience each argue this point with me in two different games.


- When in "A" position and "walking the line" it is never permissible to take more than one step. This came from a clinician at an ASA National Umpire School. He was dismissive with me when I told him that our umpire manual specifically says to take "one or two steps".

1. "NEVER" is a big word, but certainly a good plan (to "Never" go out in 2 man")

2. I don't do ASA. Is ASA different than the "norm" where the above is, in fact true?

3. PotAto - Potato

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by robbie

1. "NEVER" is a big word, but certainly a good plan (to "Never" go out in 2 man")

2. I don't do ASA. Is ASA different than the "norm" where the above is, in fact true?

3. PotAto - Potato

What softball do you do? In EVERY form of softball that I do, all such awards are based on the time of the throw; first play, fourth play, infield or outfield. That includes ASA, NCAA, NFHS and ISF.

Perhaps your "norm" is baseball? Or your group erroneously teaches that?

[BretMan]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

In EVERY form of softball that I do, all such awards are based on the time of the throw; first play, fourth play, infield or outfield. That includes ASA, NCAA, NFHS and ISF.

There are some out there. Without digging through other books...USSSA uses the "first throw by an infielder"- at least for their slow pitch rules. I think that NSA might, too.

None of the associations I normally work do...unless I'm working high school baseball!

[robbie]

Originally Posted by BretMan

There are some out there. Without digging through other books...USSSA uses the "first throw by an infielder"- at least for their slow pitch rules. I think that NSA might, too.

None of the associations I normally work do...unless I'm working high school baseball!

Yes, NSA is time of pitch for that sit, and I think (thought USSSA) was too. Guess I just assumed that ASA was also. Cant believe after 3 years of reading posts here, this is the first time I caught that difference, but I guess it is.. - Sorry.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by robbie

1. "NEVER" is a big word, but certainly a good plan (to "Never" go out in 2 man")

2. I don't do ASA. Is ASA different than the "norm" where the above is, in fact true?

3. PotAto - Potato

If I understand all your comments, I disagree with them.

[Dakota]

re: Going out with 2 umpire fastpitch girls softball... I personally believe it should be unusual (but not never). With the relatively shallow outfield (compared with a slowpitch or baseball outfield) the gain is usually not high enough to offset the loss (reverting to 1 umpire on the bases), especially with runners on base. JMO.