Softball umpires are some of the officials responsible for running a successful tournament. A lot of work is invested by these people, who, in most cases, have to go out of their way to make sure that everything is running as it ought to. Here are some of the attributes that make great softball umpires.
Training and Experience
For one to be an umpire in a softball tournament, you have to be conversant with more than the basic game knowledge. You need to break everything down into details, understand positions, performances and rules. All these are learnt during different training sessions plus first-hand experiences.
You need to attend seminars for umpire training and also to update yourself on the latest information, especially when there are changes in the rules and field administration. Experience comes from rising through the ranks from the lowest umpire level. With time, one graduates from an assistant to a junior and finally one becomes one of the senior level 7 umpires.
Soft Skills
Even with proper training and a lot of fiend experience, other skills are not necessarily taught on the field or during official seminars. These skills include the dynamics of teamwork, decision making and communication skills. Such skills are learned from interacting with different people and knowing how to deal with your own and other people’s expectations.
Teamwork is more so crucial since an umpire always works around other officials. If he is the senior umpire, he ought to know how and when to delegate various duties among his juniors.
Stamina and good vision are also a plus. Good vision allows one to see where not many will, especially when the game is on. Stamina comes with perseverance and being able to work for long hours.
Finally, one needs to make sure that they are licensed according to their state’s guidelines.