Today was my mandatory dirt clinic for softball at Parkway Central High School. The scrimmage was an intrasquad game. There were about 14 of us that showed up -- it was mandatory for all new (less than 3 years with GSLAU) umpires to attend this week or next week.
We started with some brief reminders while the team was warming up and the field was prepped. After that, we split into two groups: plate and bases. I chose bases.
Many would say it's due to laziness, but that's far from the truth. In reality, the base umpire has a lot more to worry about, and the mechanics for softball are vastly different than baseball. On the other hand, the plate umpire's duties are essentially the same as baseball: call balls/strikes, cover (almost) all fly balls, and cover third when mechanics stipulate. Because of this, I chose bases to make sure I get some experience before the season starts.
I was 5th or 6th in line. I'm paying as much attention as I can to the instructors and watching the umpires to learn as much as I can. We each get a half-inning, possibly less if it's taking a while. Finally, my time arrives. I get into position. Ground ball to the infield -- one out. The instructor puts someone else in to show me how my position to watch the play was bad. (Aside: It's not bad -- it's just not what he wanted. No change.) During this brief talk, another out occurs. I take the line again. Another ground ball -- three outs.
Essentially, I got to do nothing. No practice with cutting to the inside, leading a stealing runner, or even signals with my fellow umpire. Nothing.
I suit up for the plate. When I return to the field, I hear that the team will only play 6 innings. I count -- I would be umpire for the top of the 7th. I stand in my gear, hoping someone decides not to take their turn. No luck.
My dirt clinic amounted to very little personal training. However, I did learn a lot watching the other umpires and listening to the instructors. It also gave me a good indication on how fast the game is (very!) and a chance to see the differences in the game (a lot!). Overall, a great day.
The season starts the 24th. I won't get a game until the 26th due to being out of town. Hopefully, I'll be able to watch another game before I hit the field for my first one -- it really helped for baseball.
I had my mandatory softball meeting today. The classes were informative, but only because I have very little experience in softball.
This will be the first time I've umpired softball, except for a couple of games at the local park last year. I hated doing the games, simply because I knew nothing about softball. I (incorrectly) assumed it was "baseball with a bigger ball." I couldn't have been more wrong. Even though the girls were high school aged, the game was much faster than any baseball game I'd umpired up to that point (this was before I started high school baseball).
With what I know now, I was not ready for that game, and any coach could have eaten me alive if I mis-called something. Now, though, I'm ready. I'm a bit excited to umpire softball, but a bit nervous as well. There seems to be a lot more things to worry about in softball: look-back rule, leaving the base early, and the DP/FLEX rule to name a few. However, I know I can step on the field and do my best, which is all someone can ask.
The season starts on the 24th. I'll be out of town until the 26th, when I hope to either get a game or at least go and watch one. I did that for the baseball season, and it really seemed to cement everything I'd learned. You can read books, run mechanics, and practice until your legs are sore, but watching that one game helped me group all that training into one being: an umpire.