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Many may disagree, but I think you made the right decision to get the call right. I'm sure you learned a great lesson in slowing down your timing, too.
I think a newer attitude regarding getting help if it is necessary is permeating officiating of all sports---including baseball. I think the fans and coaches appreciate it. They may not want to admit to it immediately when they're not on the preferred end of the call, but they all saw the same play you and Zeke did. Some may have actually believed they saw the play the same as your original call, but I suspect most saw as Zeke did.
I happened to be in Zeke's position in a 5A HS playoff in Austin last May where my partner called a guy safe on pickoff at 2nd. The crowd in Cleveland saw the tag beat the runner. When partner came to me I told him I what I saw, but that I would support whatever call he went with. He turned around and reversed his call. Coach came out, got his 60 second chewin' on the umps, and went back in. Ass't Coach later admitted reversing call was right decision. Unorthodox manner, but the call was right !!
It took a whole lot of guts to make that reversal. I would rather see the official take the heat for making a right call than for making a wrong call. Those kids earned their way to where they were and only one team was movin' on. I would much rather it be determined by their good play vs. our wrong calls. That partner earned a bunch of my respect that day---although I don't know how he missed call to start with. However, we have all made mistakes.
The only thing I would add is I don't check partner if I feel absolutely certain of call I made. When I check partner, I tell him I will go with whatever he wants me to, but please don't go against me unless YOU ARE CERTAIN I missed it. Then I take whatever he says.........
These instances of "conferring" are relatively rare events also.
Just my opinion,
[Edited by Bfair on Feb 3rd, 2001 at 12:20 AM]
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