Preventive Umpiring?

[WestMichiganBlue]

Skahtboi: "This way, there is no needless killing the ball, and nothing can happen without an umpire taking note of it and being able to rule on it."

Irish: "If not requested, I wouldn't call time . . . ."

Andy: "I try to keep the ball live as much as possible in a FP game."

I fully agree with all above, but it is always good to hear opposing opinions.

For those that detected dissention in the crew - not true. Partner is a friend that I have been mentoring; we will work 10 - 12 games together this season. He called football for 25 years; but is a rookie in softball. (But has coached and umpired rec FP SB, had two daughters that played in H.S.) Because of his football training, he understands the importance of mechanics and studies the Umpire Manual and a couple ASA tapes I gave him. He is becoming good; he doesn't look like a rookie anymore.

But this action took me completely by surprise. Apparently he got that from some other umpires he worked with. My "SP" comment was a dig at him to get back on FP track. I've worked with a partner that, as soon as the runner simply looked up from her slide, he jumped in and called time. Without even looking around! A couple others want to kill the ball every time they have to walk back home from 3B. Those people frustrate me and I don't want this "new" guy going that way.

WMB