World Cup Umpires

[NewCoach]

How are the umpires for the world cup chosen? Are they international crews?

[ocsoftball]

Yes they are all internatinal umps.

[SoCalASABlue]

The PU for the USA-Italy game tonight was horrible. His strike zone was all over the place. On a bunt by an Italian player, which he called foul because he said it hit her stomach (it didn't), there's no way he could have seen the play based on his position behind the catcher (verified by replay). And to allow himself to be caught on microphone telling the Italian coach that he was calling the inside corner supertight but would call two balls extra on the outside corner was sad.

Granted - I do not umpire international ball. And I was rooting for USA to win...but that first Italian pitcher got squeezed to the point of absurdity.

IMHO.

[NewCoach]

but still...How are they chosen...and mut the all be able to communicate in English? Seems like language would be a barrier

[MTR]

but still...How are they chosen...and mut the all be able to communicate in English? Seems like language would be a barrier

They are ISF umpires selected presumbly by ASA from those suggested by the participating countries.