Quote:
Originally posted by mcrowder
I guess it depends on the goal, Rich.
If the goal is to look good or keep coaches off your back, maybe you're right. If the goal is to get the right call as often as possible, there's nothing wrong with asking for help in those isolated instances where something odd happened to cause you to not see the whole play.
Our mechanic is similar to that above, although BU will ALWAYS make the final call. BU looks to home to see if PU is looking at him. If he's not, he's absorbed in his other responsibilities. If he is, BU can say "Did he pull?" PU says "He pulled, he pulled!" or "No, he did not", then BU makes the call.
I will agree that except in the rarest of instances (can't even think of one right now), BU would NEVER ask for help because a coach asked them to. It's BU's decision, and he must decide BEFORE he makes the call.
I will also agree that knowing you can ask for help should NEVER NEVER EVER give you excuse to do your best to get in position to make the call.
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The point I am trying to make is this: If you go for help, you've dumped the play in the PU's lap. By asking if the partner has a tag, you've already told everyone you didn't see a tag.
If you're partner isn't looking at the play (and looking for pulled feet and swipe tags is usually not the primary responsibility with the BU in C) you have no choice but to call the runner safe.
Now, what will the perception be after this happens?
(1) The base umpire didn't see it
(2) The plate umpire wasn't doing his "job"
(3) NOBODY actually saw the play
(4) Both umpires are idiots
The typical case in the 2-man system is that umpires do not read plays and move quickly enough when working the bases.
Here's a play that ACTUALLY happened Friday afternoon. College game (D-III). I'm BU in a 2-man.
Bases loaded, 2 outs. 3-2 count on the batter. Ball hit on the ground to F6. I started in the C position. Bad throw, swipe tag.
On the hit, I immediately read that the only play would be to first base. I made sure I wasn't in the throwing lane and took some very quick steps to get an angle on the play. By the time I came set, I was well on the "B" side of the mound. Swipe tag, I made the call. Wasn't an easy call, but nobody said a word. Sold the tag, made the call with confidence. Never once considered using the other umpire. He had other things going on, including R3 touching the plate and R2 touching and rounding third.
Do I care if umpires get help? I'm not sure. I hate it when a coach asks me to get help and then thinks I'm being unreasonable when I respond that I worked hard, got into position, and made the proper call.
--Rich