[IRISHMAFIA]

Speaking ASA.

Joel,

The only thing 10-6-A does is forbid is a protest of a call based solely on an umpire's judgement.

As was demonstrated in the most recent Super Bowl, there is no perfect angle. Even with more than 33 cameras following the plays, there was still questions on some plays including a touchdown.

With just one set of eyes looking at a play, you do your best to get in the proper position to see "everything", but you cannot foresee every action or reaction the players involved are going to take.

You see the play, you make the call with commitment. If questioned, and it is possible that the play moved in a direction which may have cause you to miss something, your primary concern should be to get the play right. If you believed you had the play all the way, stay with your call. Do not be hard-headed about someone requesting you go for help, it is a good possibility they saw something you didn't.

An umpire will not lose credibility or respect if they go to their partner for help when appropriate. If anything, I've always gotten a positive response, even from the team that came out on the short end. You will often hear the team comment, "At least he asked for help and didn't just blow it off."

Unlike some of the baseball guys, we are human and cannot always be in the perfect position to make every call. The teams are paying you to see the play, make the call, interpret the rules and keep the playing field level. They are not paying us to demonstrate how big an ego we have on the field.

I believe there is more dignity in doing a job right than trying to prove that I am always right.