That may be my Favorite Color but it may not be a Fastpitch Softball pitcher's favorite color. After all, that's the color of the umpire uniform. You know, we all call them "hey blue".

As a softball pitcher you need to at least try to make the umpire think that is your favorite color. You definitely don't ever want to put an umpire on display in front of the whole ball park by letting her know you are upset about a pitch call. Just put the ball back in your fastpitch glove and head back to the circle.

Fastpitch pitching requires you to cleverly use your mind as well as your body when a questionable pitch call comes into play. Don't glare at them for several seconds or stomp around the mound between pitches. Umpires are people just like we are. They are out there doing a job to allow us to play this game. You wouldn't like to be shown up in front of the whole crowd now would you?

If you use bad judgement and glare down the umpire you will likely not get any more close strikes called the rest of the day. Treat the umpire with respect. If you think the call was bad, give him a very quick glance and then turn away. Don't stare, make it only about a half second or less. Just long enough for her to know you didn't like that call.

Another way is to politely ask where that pitch was. Wait until the play is over, politely ask "hey blue - where did I miss on that pitch?" Then tell him Thanks. You have to be very polite or it could come out sounding like you are chastising the umpire. YOu don't want that.

Remember, as a fastpitch softball pitcher you are trying to Not put the softball over the plate anyway, just close enough to make it look like a strike. So maybe that pitch was close but not quite close enough in the umpires view. Tell yourself that you will get the next one and go on.

As mentioned above, umpires are out on the fastpitch softball field doing a job that allows you to pitch softball. So be greateful. Be sure to tell the umpire if you think he made a good call in the field. Maybe it was a close call sliding under the third base glove. Those are tough calls, let the umpires know you appreciate the job he is doing. Politics in fastpitch softball can be a good thing.

We have all seen the prima donna pitcher that misses outside and stomps around, cusses and raises her arms in disgust. Don't be that pitcher.

Be the fastpitch softball pitcher that the umpire respects. She will tell other coaches and umpires about you. What she tells about you is determined by your actions. Give the umpire good stories to tell about you.

Make Blue your new favorite color!


This is from Barry Lovelace, The King of Core. If you are looking for an excellent pitching workout, this is it.