This happened to me two weeks ago (sorry if I'm too new to really chime in here, I won't make any presumptions). I was L, and because of the angle where the play developed, I clearly saw the shooter's foot on the line on a three (having ADD sometimes means you can see a whole lot of things---including, yes, the area you're supposed to be looking at---in a short time).
Then I quickly looked back where I was supposed to be looking, in the paint, but I could tell the shot went in because of the way everybody reacted. My partner and I made eye contact (he didn't signal three), I signalled two, he looked at me again as if to say "you sure?" and I emphatically put the two fingers down again to say "Yep, I' sure." He said cool, one of the 25 or so fans there wondered aloud about it, but we went on.
Next break he said he was glad I was sure because he didn't have a good view of it.
The debate is good, though, because I realize that there's a reason they call your primary coverage area your primary coverage area (and not your sole coverage area). Just reading this thread will make me more aware that I need to concentrate on my area that much more.
However, since I do have ADD and quick eyes, I will try to help out my partner if he looks to me as if he needs/wants it. If you're in synch, sometimes you can get it done with a nod and body language and don't need to stop the game and talk it over.
But, as mentioned, the important thing is to get it right. As long as everybody is on the same page with that, and doesn't get their ego bruised if their partner helps them out with a call, the game will be fair.
And that's the whole point, isn't it?
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"And I'm not just some fan, I've refereed football and basketball in addition to all the baseball I've umpired. I've never made a call that horrible in my life in any sport."---Greatest. Official. Ever.
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