Episode 94 - Appropriate Obstruction?

Episode 98 - Base Awards

Before we get underway, we revisit last week's episode to get clarification around NCAA's handling of appeals at home when the plate was missed and tag was/was not attempted. After that, in response to a listener prompting, we tackle the correct way to interpret the base award rules across the three major sanctions that we cover and address a few common misconceptions that are held concerning awards. Then, in our social media segment, we talk about when (if ever) it is appropriate for umpires to "talk" to players or coaches (conversation, rules explanations, etc). Lastly, we conclude by wrapping up our podcast season (we made an extra long episode as a going away present ;) ). Big thanks to everyone who has listened, supported, and/or interacted with us along with way so far! 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

Episode 97 - USA Softball Rules (Appeals pt 2 and ball rotation)

We dive in and cover the appeal topics in the 2026 USA Softball Rules Supplement 1- Appeals, sections G-N of: More Than One Appeal, Awards, Plate and Tag Missed, Force Out, Tag-Ups, Missing First Base Before the Throw Arrives, Fourth-Out Appeal, and End of Game. We then tackle section 2 of the Rules Supplement, Ball Rotation Procedure. Lastly, we move on to our Social Media Segment and discuss a question about an annoying myth around warm-up pitches. 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

Episode 96 - USA Softball Rules (OBS, Zone, and Appeals pt 1)

We started mining the Rules Supplement in the back of the book to see which things that USA Softball decided to add more color on and then bring those things to you. We cover USA softball's definition for obstruction, their defined zone, and then begin to dig into valid appeals before we had to pause for next time. Lastly, in our social media segment, we talk about a play that happened and what exactly constitutes "leaving a base". 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

Episode 95 - Windmill? What Windmill?

You can check out the link to the post, which contains a video, in the comments on either the Facebook Post for this episode, or the comments for this episode on our website. We break down - from the rules - what constitutes a legal delivery and whether or not this player violated those rules. Next, in the social media segment, we answer a question about just how often are umpires supposed to call time during stoppages of 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

Episode 94 - Appropriate Obstruction?

In the video of the play (linked in our comments on this episode on our website and on Facebook), we can see a player attempting to score, but being thrown out. The home plate umpire signals out, but we're told that the base umpire got involved and the call got "overturned to obstruction". We cover what we saw, what we think is appropriate, and how you might handle similar situations if this happens in a game you're officiating. Then, in our social media segment, we cover a play where an umpire called dead ball interference and should have called obstruction. How should the crew best fix it? 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