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Part of the problem with this comes from different organizations. For example, in college ball, if a coach "asks" me to check with my partner, the book sez that I "should" check - for all intents & purposes, it is really "must" check. In high school ball, it is recommended that I check, but not required. Most ASA coaches have ignored the part which speaks of "any doubt" on the umps part and expect that I will check with my partner whenever they "ask". In the Legion baseball that I sometimes work, don't ask - I will ignore the request if possible and toss the requestor if I can't ignore him. That's a judgement call and those calls are not subject to review. Now, more than 95% of the games I do are fastpitch softball of one level or another, so I admit that I will often go to my partner when "requested" (only if it's done in a civil manner), but... I will require that the coach tell me in specific terms what he thinks I did not see - pulled foot, swipe tag, whatever. I will then ask my partner that specific question - Did you see a pulled foot.
In actual practice, I have come to the conclusion over the past several years that it is far better for me to delay a call whenever possible - as in nothing else happening on the field - to ask "Partner, was there a swipe tag at 1B?" and then make my out/safe call after he responds to the very specific question.
I understand the thought that KC expresses about putting myself in the coach's shoes - what recourse do they have. No, I am not going to put myself there. We've got a difficult enough task in umpiring without trying to think like a coach or player or fan. That is a judgement call and I will make that call to the best of my ability. I work hard to have good and proper mechanics and to stay current on rules.
I'd like to see Mike's take on the list that Carl Childress posted of the 5 times it is proper to change a call - to see what the formal position is of ASA. I don't know that I have ever heard anything about this from ASA or NFHS and I don't like the NCAA requirement that I ask for help even after I've made a legitimate call just because a coach doesn't like it. But until I hear formally something different, I absolutely agree with the list of the only 5 times it is appropriate to change a call.
Am I going to blow calls? Not often, but you can be absolutely certain that I have blown calls before and will again in the future. That is part of the game. Live with it and let's play ball.
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Steve M
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