Prerequisites

Any umpire representing a Softball Association is performing a service to his fellow umpires, to the leagues which we serve, to the managers, players and fans of softball. A competent umpire performs his duties with accepted signals and procedures.

A thorough knowledge of the rules is important; but, more important is the understanding of their purpose, and the ability to interpret and enforce these principles.

Good game control begins with the umpire's appearance at the game site. Players and coaches alike, base much of their actions during the contest on the amount of confidence they have in the arbiter. The umpire who performs his duties in a brisk, business-like manner upon his arrival at the field, who is courteous with players and coaches (without being overly friendly) prior to the game, whose calls are made promptly and confidently and with an emphasis which dissuades argumentation, yet is non-dictatorial, and who cooperates with his partner in the efficient coverage of all situations, is rarely questioned.

When you arrive, your sole duty is to umpire a ball game as the representative of the league. In all your actions and conduct, keep in mind that as an umpire, your position calls for the settling of controversies are on the ball field and not in starting them elsewhere.

It's a trying position which requires the umpire to exercise all his patience and good judgment. Do not forget that the first essential in working out a bad situation is to keep your temper and self control. Be courteous, but firm, and you will gain respect from all. Never lose sight of the fact that friendship for the umpire, appreciation for the duties and cooperation in decisions rarely exists when a difficult situation occurs on the ball-field. Your only friend is the other umpire!

An umpire should give any rule interpretation that a manager may request, quickly and courteously, but refrain from general conversation and especially from discussion of plays and players. Umpires are to judge plays, not players!

Do not assume an air of superiority because of the fact that you are an umpire. Say "Hello" to the various people and make use of a friendly smile. Let it be said that you are yourself, your profession and above all, THE GAME itself.

The proper handling of any softball game demands each member of the umpire crew to hustle at all times. In addition, the following three factors are essential to the success of any umpire:

Judgment

It may appear to be an inherent factor of officiating. The calm style of the finished umpire when confronted by a spontaneous uprising, let him look like it doesn't matter to the umpire. By his experience he knows what to take or not. Early in the career the average umpire will likely responded to rowdy tactics or abusive language with some show of fear, but the umpire who advances in the game learns how to temper his emotion and his temperament. No provocation, not even physical attack, should cause an umpire to lose sight of primary responsibility: keep the game under control!

An angry umpire is never a master of the situation.

In short, umpiring judgment is mainly experience, salted with cool-headed common sense!

Mechanics and Techniques

These are factors appreciated in some degree by even the most difficult player. A lack of good mechanics is one of the things that separates the best of the amateur umpires and any professional.

Mechanics of umpiring deals with the who, what, where and often the why of it all.

While Technique deals primarily with the "how" of umpiring. Technique deals with the amount of flair or individualism employed by the umpire in any given situation.

Hustle is an integral part of good umpiring mechanics and technique. Acceptance of any umpiring assignment requires the complete attention and energy of an umpire for the entire game. Hustle is the spirited application of the principles of good umpiring. Aimless running about is not hustle or at least not productive hustle.

Briefly, good mechanics and technique consists of being in the right place at the right time coupled with strict attention to detail.

Knowledge of the Rules

This is expected of every umpire. Young and old should devote ample time routinely to reading and studying the rule book. There is no point in committing the rules to memory as their common sense application is the stamp of a master umpire.

Prepare yourself in the off-season. Put an extra rule-book in your smallest room. Read every time a small portion and try to understand why that rule is made. Understand the intent of the rule. Try to make two true/false questions. So you will understand the rule-book more and more.

10 Tips to Improve

1. You should be physical fit at the start of the season and keep yourself in condition. The players will be fit, so you should be fit as well to get into position for making a call. Your uniform should be clean and pressed. Don't look sloppy. The first impression is important. It doesn't make you a better umpire but you will be respected for looking like an umpire.


2. Decisions must be made positively and promptly, but not too hasty. Don't prematurely make a decision. Try to come into position on a play and yet come to a stop where you can see all of the action clearly, before you make a ruling. One play, one call. Plays should be called with an air of confidence which goes a long way toward having the umpire's judgment accepted.


3. Umpires working together must communicate and have mutual respect. Friendliness and respect for each other. Try to support each other throughout the entire game. Never offer an opinion or advice unless asked because this can cultivate a lack of confidence in the umpire(s). Proper mechanics should avoid that there will be opposite decisions on a given play. Call your partner off if it is your call: Good Communication is important. Do not discuss decisions with anyone but your partner and then only in private.


4. Good umpiring is dependent, to a large extent, upon a complete knowledge and understanding of the rules. Know them thoroughly. Some decisions are repeatedly made, so with some experience they come by reflex. Study all possible situations to improve. So basic fundamentals become second nature and correct interpretations are virtually automatic. Make sure that you don't have to guess because you don't know the rule or it's interpretation, or you will soon lose the confidence of players, coaches and spectators.


5. Proper umpiring mechanics are essential in attaining the best coverage. Many umpires who know the rules well fail to be accepted because their mechanics are poor. This must be mastered if you want to be successful. Practice and discuss with others. Attend clinics, try to improve every time.


6. An umpire must totally ignore remarks from the crowd and spectators. Fans not only lose respect for an umpire who, in any way reacts to criticism, but as a reaction their criticism becomes more intense. You have to be "deaf" and "thick-skinned".


7. The efficient umpire should not "showboat". With accepted signals and procedures players and spectators will accept decisions. But if you behave like an actor, drawing all the attention you will get more critics. Never try to coach a player. You don't like to be told how you have to umpire by a player.


8. Keep the game moving. Players should hustle on and off the field between innings. It should be a case of "Do as I do" rather than "Do as I say". Good players usually hustle, as do good umpires. Never let the players wait for the umpires! LEAD BY EXAMPLE!


9. Umpires must be courteous to players and coaches but avoid visiting with them immediately before, during or after the game. A businesslike attitude and atmosphere must prevail. Discussions should be brief and to the point. Be polite and professional at all times.


10. The judgment necessary in making a decision is acquired through proper positioning to acquire the best possible angle. Each and every decision must be made on the basis of fact. Do as accepted procedures provide and rule on the play exactly as it was seen.

Every umpire must realise that he will at some time err in his judgment no matter how conscientious and efficient he is and regardless of his position and rules knowledge. When the most respected umpire "boot one", they continue to work to the best of their ability. The fact that an umpire makes a mistake need not cause him to drop his head or be unduly humble nor to be embarrassed. After an error, the umpire must never attempt to even it up. Each call is made on its own merits. Frequent errors in rule interpretation or in judgment quickly cause the players, coaches and spectators to lose confidence, but no one wants the umpire to attempt to even things out.