For part of your game management skills watch a few episodes of Dog Whisperer. When you watch Felix in action with a bad dog, imagine the dog as a coach. Dog Whisperer becomes Coach Whisperer:cool:.

You mean Cesar. ;)

And actually, yes... I have tried a few of these techniques on both coaches and school principals.

Read this:

http://forum.officiating.com/softbal...1-edition.html

It only covers the NFHS softball rules set, (not ASA or USSSA) but does have enough information for anyone new to officiating the sport to get you thinking.

His last name is Millan.
I flashed back to Felix Millan - NY Mets

On the basketball court, we teach to not anticipate a play or a call, but to get in position, SEE THE PLAY, then put air in your whistle, or not, as needed.

Same philosophy in softball...get in position, SEE THE PLAY, make the call.

Going along with the SLOW DOWN and the Fair/Foul...

The ball's not foul until it's foul. A moving ball that has not struck anyone (player, coach, ump) or anything (fence, net) or gone out of play is just a moving ball.

Yeah... it looks foul ... and it's gonna stay foul... OH NO!

Most foul balls don't need to be "called" anyway.

Agree with that. The first year I umped, I had a bang-bang play at third, called the runner safe, the third baseman looked up, saw that I was on top of the play and says, "It's a good thing you are standing right there blue or we'd be arguing right now." Then he tossed the ball back to the pitcher and didn't say another word.

One thing I forgot to mention...
 

Don't take your eyes off the ball. Nothing can happen with out it...See Bernie Profato school of umpiring...

I learned how to do an over hand out at NUS when he was an instructor.

And that is over simplified...but its true. "nothing can happen without the ball"

Well, obstruction almost always happens without the ball, because with the ball it's not usually obstruction. :rolleyes:

It is nice to get your nose in their once you have seen the play, but don't get in too close too early. Bad things can happen if you are too close to the play.

There are a few times you just have to take your eyes off the ball though. Case in point, summer womens game (mostly college kids)......nobody on and outs don't matter. I am in A.....shallow fly ball towards RF......I bust inside while watching the ball over my right shoulder. Apparently, F3 thought she might also have had a shot at the fly ball and we collide. Damn near knocked both of us off our feet.

In that situation a quick peek at the ball and then watching where I was going would have been the right thing to do.

Joel

Also remember, that even with proper mechanics from all umpires in a game, there are certain situations, where there are spots on the field where a pair of eyes wasn't available. And even after a private meeting with your partner(s), if it wasn't seen, it can't be called.

Except for maybe obstruction.........:cool:

for me the toughest part of officiating in those crazy 1 in 500,00 instances when two umpires or 3 basketball officials miss what ever the fans or gym is screaming about and theres nothing you can do except play on

For the most part though.....fans have no idea what they saw.....they just know they "saw something"......:cool:

Joel

...or UC, or INT or a missed base or an injury or .......well, a load of things can happen without the ball.

While it is true that the umpire needs to find the ball and be aware of where it is, I disagree with the comment of always watch the ball. As noted, "over simplified", but it is a too simplistic a comment which too many take to heart, including some UICs. I once received a phone call from an umpire at a NC who was told by the UIC to not worry about watching the BR touch 1B instead of watching the ball which was at the fence in left field.

When on the field, we all have specific assignments and a good portion of those jobs do not involve watching the ball. You learn to find the ball and adjust, if necessary.