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Welcome to "Umpiring Fastpitch Softball," the ultimate Fastpitch Softball Umpiring podcast, hosted by umpires David Trout and Pete Shearer. Join us as we dive deep into the world of fastpitch softball officiating, sharing our passion for the game, and providing valuable insights and guidance for umpires at all levels. Each episode, we'll bring you engaging conversations, expert tips, and real-life experiences from the field, covering everything from the basics of umpiring to advanced mechanics and game management. Our goal is to help you hone your skills, understand the rules, and develop the confidence to make the right calls under pressure. Whether you're an aspiring umpire just starting your journey, a seasoned pro looking to stay sharp, or simply a fan who wants to understand the game from a new perspective, "Umpiring Fastpitch Softball" is the podcast for you. Tune in as David and Pete take you inside the world of fastpitch softball umpiring, sharing stories, answering questions, and fostering a community of dedicated officials who are committed to excellence on and off the field. So, grab your mask and indicator, and join us behind the plate for a unique and entertaining look at the challenging and rewarding world of fastpitch softball umpiring. Don't miss an episode – subscribe now and be part of the conversation! https://umpiringfastpitchsoftball.com
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The article begins, "The following is a list of miscues regarding umpire mechanics which we continue to see in our contests"... ok, we see you, sassy pants!
Jokes aside, the things in this article weren't brought up to eat up space in this year's publication. These are things that the senior-level umpires are repeatedly seeing around the state during games that they observe. Take a listen and see if you're guilty of any of these!
As always, if you want to weigh in with your opinions, you can email us at podcast@umpiringfastpitchsoftball.com, leave a comment at UmpiringFastpitchSoftball.com, or comment on this episode on Facebook - just search for Umpiring Fastpitch Softball
What even are LLMs? Are they infallible? Are they an acceptable source for rules and mechanics? Should they be, or is this a case of Luddites trying to take away all of our fun? Join us as we talk about what are the proper sources of guidance for your umpiring journey.
As always, if you want to weigh in with your opinions, you can email us at podcast@umpiringfastpitchsoftball.com, leave a comment at UmpiringFastpitchSoftball.com, or comment on this episode on Facebook - just search for Umpiring Fastpitch Softball
We could chalk it up to it being an "imaginary other umpire" that coaches are appealing to to try to get their way or skirt rules. But we all know that there are definitely umpires that enforce too many (or not enough) rules on the diamond.
In this episode, we follow along with a great article in this year's OHSAA Whitebook and talk about some points that you need to make sure that you are following. If not... the result? Confused coaches, frustrated players, and partners left trying to clean it up the next night.
As always, if you want to weigh in with your opinions, you can email us at podcast@umpiringfastpitchsoftball.com, leave a comment at UmpiringFastpitchSoftball.com, or comment on this episode on Facebook - just search for Umpiring Fastpitch Softball
The good news is that only 3 changes are covered: electronic devices that are prohibited (1-9-6), a reorganization of Rule 8, and Rule 10-4-2 about our uniform pants.
Hang with us as we cover all of that, break it down, and make sure that you're ready to get out on the middle/high school diamond here in only a few weeks!
As always, if you want to weigh in with your opinions, you can email us at podcast@umpiringfastpitchsoftball.com, leave a comment at UmpiringFastpitchSoftball.com, or comment on this episode on Facebook - just search for Umpiring Fastpitch Softball
What better way to kick off the NFHS season that to talk about the points of emphasis the the Federation wants to highlight for 2026?
Last year, it was Teams' Role in Pace of Play and Situational Awareness. This year, our focus is on Obstruction and Maintaining an Unobstructed
View. We chop those up and make sure that you're covered to get 2026 off to a great start.
As always, if you want to weigh in with your opinions, you can email us at podcast@umpiringfastpitchsoftball.com, leave a comment at UmpiringFastpitchSoftball.com, or comment on this episode on Facebook - just search for Umpiring Fastpitch Softball
Wrapping up our series, we proceed to work through more of the 2-Person Mechanics Updates published for NCAA crews.
This week we take a look at the following scenarios and what the Plate and Base Umpire should do in each one of them:
* Runner on Third (Hit to Infield)
* Runner on Third (Fly Ball/Line Drive to Infield - ball is caught)
* Runners on first and second, first and third, second and third, or bases loaded (Ball hit to the outfield - ball is caught)
* Runners on first and second, first and third, second and third, or bases loaded (Ball is not caught)
As always, if you want to weigh in with your opinions, you can email us at podcast@umpiringfastpitchsoftball.com, leave a comment at UmpiringFastpitchSoftball.com, or comment on this episode on Facebook - just search for Umpiring Fastpitch Softball
Continuing from last time, we proceed to work through more of the 2-Person Mechanics Updates published for NCAA crews.
This week, we talk about fly ball coverage responsibilities overall. Then, we move onto specific scenarios for Plate and Base like:
* No Runners On - ball hit to OF and not caught
* Runner on First - same situation
* Runner on Second - hit to the infield
* Runner on Second - fly ball / line drive to the infield, ball is caught
* Runner on Second - fly ball / line drive to the outfield, ball is caught
As always, if you want to weigh in with your opinions, you can email us at podcast@umpiringfastpitchsoftball.com, leave a comment at UmpiringFastpitchSoftball.com, or comment on this episode on Facebook - just search for Umpiring Fastpitch Softball
After last season concluded, Cody Little (the director of training and video review for the NCAA Softball Umpire Program) published these updates for the 2 person umpire system mechanics.
In this first of three episodes, we start by covering the changes for plate and base umpires for between innings. Next we talk about the emphasis placed on positioning to receive the pitch as the plate umpire. Lastly, we cover the guidance for the starting position of the base umpire with runners on.
As always, if you want to weigh in with your opinions, you can email us at podcast@umpiringfastpitchsoftball.com, leave a comment at UmpiringFastpitchSoftball.com, or comment on this episode on Facebook - just search for Umpiring Fastpitch Softball
In NCAA Fastpitch rules, the pitcher may not step off of the pitcher's plate and back on again during the pitch... or may they?
We take a look NCAA Rule 10.5.3.3 and at Approved Ruling (AR) 10-8 applying to that rule and have a discussion as to whether this contradicts AR 10-7 and a (only minutely serious) discussion as to whether or not it is David's fault that AR 10-8 was issued at all.
As always, if you want to weigh in with your opinions, you can email us at podcast@umpiringfastpitchsoftball.com, leave a comment at UmpiringFastpitchSoftball.com, or comment on this episode on Facebook - just search for Umpiring Fastpitch Softball
We start off by talking about an umpire, Mitchell Huggins (known as "Uncle Mitch" or "Mr. Mitch" to the players), who unfortunately passed away from heat stroke while working a game in South Carolina.
We then move to talking about a question from an umpire about starting in the "C" position and being blocked by the pitcher from seeing the play at first base when making a call.
Next, we talk about a question where an umpire asked what he should do when coaches use profanity. And to finish off the episode, we wrap up with some show updates.
As always, if you want to weigh in with your opinions, you can email us at podcast@umpiringfastpitchsoftball.com, leave a comment at UmpiringFastpitchSoftball.com, or comment on this episode on Facebook - just search for Umpiring Fastpitch Softball
It might seem like talking about "situational mechanics" and then giving scenarios is doing "planned deviations", but that isn't the case. What we're looking for and talking about are situations that the manual just doesn't cover, not breaking and "doing your own thing" for situations that are covered.
Almost every day across the softball world, something happens in a game that hasn't happened before. As smart as the umpire manual writers were, they couldn't predict and scheme out every possible scenario. So what we're talking about - with some manual-driven examples - is what to look for and how to think in order to be prepared and in position no matter what happens.
In addition, we've given you all homework, so tune in and help us out. Many hands make light work and you can help us figure out a particular point of confusion.
As always, if you want to weigh in with your opinions, you can email us at podcast@umpiringfastpitchsoftball.com, leave a comment at UmpiringFastpitchSoftball.com, or comment on this episode on Facebook - just search for Umpiring Fastpitch Softball
We tackle the finer points of covering rundowns, how to handle a dropped third strike as a plate umpire and from the bases, infield fly, home runs, and the power of the point.
As always, if you want to weigh in with your opinions, you can email us at podcast@umpiringfastpitchsoftball.com, leave a comment at UmpiringFastpitchSoftball.com, or comment on this episode on Facebook - just search for Umpiring Fastpitch Softball
1Listener Nick from NY wanted to understand more about the look back rule. He had heard us talk about it before, but as someone new to the sport, he was a little confused. So, we dropped what we were doing and recorded a "remote" episode, away from the friendly confines of the palatial UFS Studios in beautiful Central Ohio, where we attempted to really dig in and explain the rule.
Next, Nick had another question about a play that happened in a game where a runner was coming home, was deemed safe, then declared out on a coach's argument, then safe again after another discussion. What was going on? What should have gone on? Umpiring Fastpitch Softball Podcast to the rescue!
As always, if you want to weigh in with your opinions, you can email us at podcast@umpiringfastpitchsoftball.com, leave a comment at UmpiringFastpitchSoftball.com, or comment on this episode on Facebook - just search for Umpiring Fastpitch Softball
One of the best ways to start an aggressive discussion online is to talk about calling positions, especially around home plate. A number of times in recent memory, we've seen videos of plays offered for consideration only to have the discussion invariably end up in a criticism that that umpire should have "worked the wedge", or some other critique of his position.
So, what are the correct calling positions (at least according to the guidance for NCAA Umpires)? Where do you start? Where do you go? Is "classic 90" ever okay? What exactly is the wedge? And what does a sextant have to do with any of it?
Check us out this week and we'll try to get into all of it and explain the mechanics in our own special way... a way that uses celestial navigation? Should you start bringing a marine chronometer to games? Tune in and find out.
As always, if you want to weigh in with your opinions, you can email us at podcast@umpiringfastpitchsoftball.com, leave a comment at UmpiringFastpitchSoftball.com, or comment on this episode on Facebook - just search for Umpiring Fastpitch Softball
The remainder of section 7 talks about calling distance and mechanics for tag plays at the bases/plage, correct position for watching for swipe or tag plays between bases, what to watch for on check swings, not calling or echoing obvious fouls, where to be for watching tag-up plays, preparing for your next responsibility, the official guidance on when to offer assistance, and a discussion about "over-hustling".
As always, if you want to weigh in with your opinions, you can email us at podcast@umpiringfastpitchsoftball.com, leave a comment at UmpiringFastpitchSoftball.com, or comment on this episode on Facebook - just search for Umpiring Fastpitch Softball
Section 7 starts a discussion of mechanics in general and then on to what do with pre-pitch preparation/planning and how many things that an umpire should be considering before the pitch. It then follows to discuss some basic calling position mechanics.
As always, if you want to weigh in with your opinions, you can email us at podcast@umpiringfastpitchsoftball.com, leave a comment at UmpiringFastpitchSoftball.com, or comment on this episode on Facebook - just search for Umpiring Fastpitch Softball
Continuing on from last week, David talks about his experiences as part of a four umpire crew, this time focusing on his games at U1 and Video Review.
Was it as bad as last time? Did he let the bad game at U3 wear on him? How does video review work at places that don't have 6 network camera angles? We get into all of that and more (as well as a bonus U3 story) in this week's episode.
As always, if you want to weigh in with your opinions, you can email us at podcast@umpiringfastpitchsoftball.com, leave a comment at UmpiringFastpitchSoftball.com, or comment on this episode on Facebook - just search for Umpiring Fastpitch Softball
Working in a crew of four, David talks about the experiences he had working with the crew, the facilities, and - here in part one - his specific game experiences at the Plate and U3.
How did that go? At the clinics and in prior practice, Plate and U3 were his stronger positions. Did that hold up? Tune in for a very honest review of the games and what he did right and wrong.
As always, if you want to weigh in with your opinions, you can email us at podcast@umpiringfastpitchsoftball.com, leave a comment at UmpiringFastpitchSoftball.com, or comment on this episode on Facebook - just search for Umpiring Fastpitch Softball
Ejected, Tossed, Run, Heaved, Thrown out, Sent packing, Launched, Chucked, Given the hook, Booted, 86'ed, Took the long walk, Got the thumb, Hit the showers early, Banished.
Whatever you call it, we'd like to think that no umpire heads into a game looking to eject people. However, if we are enforcing the rules, ejections are a part of it. In this week's episode, we talk about offenses that should result in someone's day ending early.
As always, if you want to weigh in with your opinions, you can email us at podcast@umpiringfastpitchsoftball.com, leave a comment at UmpiringFastpitchSoftball.com, or comment on this episode on Facebook - just search for Umpiring Fastpitch Softball
We dive into a variety of situations and discuss where umpires might walk the line between preventative umpiring and outright coaching. We discuss everything from guiding younger players through basic rules to stepping in to prevent violence at the college level. How do you know when to speak up and when to remain silent and let violations occur?
We also talk about how context like age level, experience, and sanctions can shift what's acceptable.
As always, if you want to weigh in with your opinions, you can email us at podcast@umpiringfastpitchsoftball.com, leave a comment at UmpiringFastpitchSoftball.com, or comment on this episode on Facebook - just search for Umpiring Fastpitch Softball
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