Claim OwnershipUmpiring Fastpitch Softball
Subscribed: 3Played: 119
Subscribe
© All rights reserved
Description
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
74 Episodes
Reverse
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
Listener 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
Before we get into the meat of the episode, Pete starts us off with a correction from last episode regarding the running lane interference rules across sanctions prompted by some great listener feedback from Carlos in Hawaii.
Next, we respond to a question from Jessica in Illinois about how to correctly umpire some player behavior that might be "ethically wrong" and play in the gray area of the rules.
After that, we talk about a video that made the rounds of an umpire taking a pitch after having forgotten to don his mask. That prompts us to talk about how to try to avoid that and leads us into some other tips for newer umpires.
Thanks again to all of the listener feedback that helped drive this - and other - episodes. We desire that feedback and are very grateful.
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
First, we look at a play similar to last week where there is a question as to what to do with a runner who ended up on third. Did they miss the base? Did they score? Can an offensive coach appeal themselves?
Next, we tackle a play from a recent game of David's with runner's lane interference and a speedy runner from third. Lastly, we cover a snapshot that a friend of ours sent to David to see what he could see and what he'd call. Tune in to hear what hijinks ensue on 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
In the play, a suicide squeeze was on and the batter popped up the bunt. The runner scored, but erroneously thought the ball was caught and went back to third to tag up and stayed there.
We dissect whether the runner can "un-score", whether replay was allowed to be used to see if she touched the plate, and what else we might have or could have considered calling on the play.
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
At the end of our last discussion, we still had a section of reminders about some pitch calling mechanics. We decided to merge the remainder of those things with our discussion around the tips within another article titled, "Get Your Head Right: Using the Slot to Get the Most Accurate Strike Zone".
So this part 2 is really a part 2 in spirit only.
During discussion, we cover topics like correct positioning of your feet, head position and level, torso position, when to drop in, timing of the call, and what to do if we get "crowded out" of our initial or desired position.
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 talk about mechanics for plate umpires including: reporting changes, handling intentional walks, fair/foul position, priorities, and signals - selling tough calls vs making unnecessary calls.
We also talk about some reminders for base umpires including: proper initial position getting set and square to the plate, tighter pivots when coming inside the diamond, chasing balls to the outfield and when to chase, proper angles, and signals. And just generally, we talk about between inning responsibilities, timing, and working the final play of every game.
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 talk about the proper application for rules around: noise makers, sweatshirts/jackets, rule books, headwear, dugout personnel, substitutions and lineup card management, and game management.
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 addition to the points of emphasis that the National Federation had point out, our state association published their own points. Since they are also rules-based, they're valuable for everyone to consider.
First, we talk about several aspects of pitching rules, including timing, replants, taking the sign. Then, we go on to the requirement for the rules to remain the rules with no modifications. Lastly, we talk about some mechanics pointers that the OHSAA had seen in 2024 and wanted to address.
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
Since it is that time where NCAA Softball is starting and High School is getting underway across much of the country, we wanted to dig into some of the differences in the rules between the two.
We know a lot of umpires that work both, so we want to make sure you're keeping it all straight in your head as you do. This is also a great episode for those umpires working NFHS who might want to work NCAA one day, or even fans who want to understand why things are different in games that they watch.
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 light of Pat Hoberg's firing in early February 2025, we wanted to talk about the importance of gambling (namely, NOT gambling) as an umpire or official.
Unfortunately, gambling scandals in sports happen and even among officials. But, what all is considered sports gambling? Coming into Final Four tournament time, we wanted to talk the dangers and about how putting money into an office bracket pool is still considered sports gambling and can get you in trouble.
Tune in and get the (legal) insider information.
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
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States