hen was the last time you read Rule 10 in the ASA rule book? My guess: You haven't read a single word of it in a very long time. Rule 10 isn't a "rule" per se. It's more like "Guidelines for Umpires." Consequently, we tend to dismiss it because most of what is in that section is extremely elementary (i.e., "I already know that.") or boring (i.e., how to signal a strike). It doesn't help us unravel sticky situations like obstruction, interference, substitution, and batting-out-of-order. Umpires find Rule 10 about as interesting as Rule 11 - "Scoring." In short, it's not very sexy.

Yet there is some very valuable information in that section of the rulebook. Valuable - even for the seasoned veteran. It may behoove you to blow the dust off the cover of your rule book and delve into Rule 10. You might be surprised at what you might learn. Some of the umpiring "techniques" you have been employing, thinking that it reflects your individual style, may actually be nothing more than your adherence to the precepts outlined there. In other words, it's not just "your style"; it's the way mandated by the Amateur Softball Association. Other "styles" are nothing more than renegade.

My intent is not to do an exhaustive rehash of every element of Rule 10; rather, I'd like to hit upon some high points.