As a fastpitch softball umpire, you are responsible for calling strikes and balls, deciding if runners are safe or out, making fair or foul calls and calling homeruns. In addition, you have to keep the game moving at a quick pace and make sure there are no unreasonable delays. Ultimately, you must act as the authority figure at all times.
Knowledge of the Rules
When you step on the field, you must do it with full confidence that you know the rules and can administer them fairly and honestly at all times. You have to know the subtleties of the rules that fans and many players and coaches don't know. For example, you have to know the rules on re-entry to the game and must prevent a player's illegal re-entry before it happens.
Position yourself properly on all calls. In many cases, the home plate umpire is the only arbiter on the field. You must know where to move to make fair and foul calls accurately, and rulings on safe and out.
Balls and Strikes
This is often the most difficult area for many umpires, because there are many borderline calls. If you are filled with self-doubt about the calls, you may feel you have to even things out later. This is the wrong thing to do. Every umpire will make a wrong call from time to time. However, you have to put that call in the past and move on.
Umpire Demeanor
Don't engage players or coaches in vehement arguments. A coach may have a question about a rule or a decision, and you should listen to the coach's point and then explain the decision that was made. There should be no back-and-forth arguing. Once the decision has been made and explained, tell the coach to go back to her dugout and let the game proceed. If the coach does not listen, you have to take steps⎯including ejecting the coach⎯to keep the game moving.
Reversing a Call
A manager or coach cannot come out onto the field and question your judgment on a play. He cannot ask another umpire to intervene when you have ruled safe and the manager thinks the player was out. However, the manager can ask another umpire to intervene if he believes a rule has been applied incorrectly. For example, you may call obstruction on a fielder who has prevented a base runner from directly running to the next base. However, the manager may believe the runner got in the way of the fielder and is guilty of interference. The manager has the right to ask another umpire⎯usually the crew chief⎯if you have applied the rule in the correct manner.
Keeping Your Eye on the Ball
You are responsible for keeping your eye on the ball throughout an entire play. Your natural tendency may be to assume a play will be made or completed, however, you must watch the play to its conclusion every time the ball is put in play.
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