Umpire Responsibilities:
The Umpires assigned to work our league games are authorized and required to enforce every section and part of the Official ASA and NSS Rules. Umpires have the power and should use it with discretion, to request a manager, coach or player to do or to omit to do any act, which in their judgment is necessary to give force and effect to all of the Rules, and to inflict necessary penalties. The Umpire’s responsibilities extend to all parts of the field and his duties and jurisdiction encompass all those duties normally covered when more than one Umpire is assigned. While stationing himself behind the catcher, to call balls and strikes, and moving out on batted balls, he may and shall take any position on the field, which will in his judgment enable him to best discharge his various duties. The Umpire also has the responsibility to move the games along as fast as possible, especially minimize wasted time between games and during games, by starting on time and encouraging the players to hustle on and off the field between innings. The Umpire shall reverse no decision, involving his judgment, except if he is convinced he was in error. The best Umpires know and enforce the rules, hustle while covering each play, and handle difficult situations, with ease and diplomacy.
Umpire Accountabilities:
Each umpire’s game performance will be evaluated by NSS team managers and board members randomly throughout the season, and evaluations shall be based on five specific accountabilities: (1) timeliness in moving the game along; (2) knowledge and proper enforcement of current ASA and NSS senior softball rules; (3) making decisive and reliable judgment calls; (4) hustle from the plate to the base(s) and (5) relationships and reactions with managers and players. Current Official NSS Rules will be provided to those umpires who are selected.
