Quote:
Originally posted by FVB58
I would move from the plate toward third and keep a good look at the play at 1B. My partner should ask me if I had a tag, and I would tell him yes or no. He makes the safe/out call.
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This is an important point.... ask for help
FIRST and then make the call. It only takes a split second to notice whether your partner is available for help, then ask, then finally make the call - all this can be done with little more than a second's delay in making the call. It looks great and it SELLS THE CALL.
Making the call and then asking for help always raises doubt and often leads to controversy/ejection.
And... if there is a tag... I generally make it known that the tag is why the runner is out by stating, "OUT, on the tag!" This again sells the call - you saw that the defense was off the base and you saw that a tag was made.
This is NEVER a situation to ask for help. If you saw a tag, the runner is out. PERIOD. Just becasuse your partner didn't see a tag does not mean you are now going to discredit what you saw, change your call based upon your partner not seeing a tag, and call the runner safe. If that were the case, you might as well leave and let your partner call everything. Asking to have that call changed is not acceptable.
I am convinced that an umpire can make his calls in such a way that everybody believes the umpire. Many times I have made close calls and sold them so that no one questions the validity of the call - just that tiny voice in my own head that says, "did I get that one right?" If I later ask my partner, the response is usually, "That was a great call!"
There are only a few regular situations that can happen at 1st; think of how to sell the call for each of those situations.
