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Sadly the coaches and parents get so caught up in the games they lose focus on why they are really there. It’s all about the kids! I witnessed an unhappy team’s parents that was losing the game become loud and angry, all in front of the kids. Name calling, fingers pointing, fist waving and tempers flaring. I tip my hat to the umpire for keeping his cool even after ejecting a coach from the game due to the language he chose to use. Way to go UMP!
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The duties of a softball or baseball umpires are hot and dirty. So many times the umpires have to see every single play the ball players play. Does arguing with the Umpire help? Most of the time, NO.
Softball umpires run the show, and the best officials orchestrate a smooth-running game free from confusion and controversy. It’s not easy being an ump — softball rules can be complex and tough calls must be made quickly and decisively. As retired major league umpire Ken Kaiser once wrote, ” If you like having every close decision you make criticized… then maybe you would like being an umpire.”
General Duties
Umpires are expected to enforce the rules. This wide-ranging authority gives every umpire the right to eject a player or coach — or even a spectator or media representative — for unsportsmanlike behavior. The judgment of a softball umpire is final, which requires a good one to know both the rules and the proper interpretation of the rules. Top umpires are sufficiently patient to wait until a play is over to make the call and also decisive when signaling the verdict.
Behind the Plate
The home plate umpire is the head honcho with the most responsibility. In addition to the fundamental duties of a home plate ump — calling balls and strikes, deciding plays at the plate, keeping track of lineups and substitutions — the home plate ump decides when to order a rain delay and whether to resume or call off the game. Softball umps also handle pregame coaches conferences, take care of the game balls, and break out the brush to keep home plate clean.
