[Cubbies87]

I had this dilemma a few days back in a 2-Man crew on a 13-year old game. No runners on so BU was behind first base on the first base line.

Pop up down the left field line. F5 and F7 both charge to it, and I half-expected to see a collision. At the last second, F7 calls F5 off and F5 hits the breaks straddling the line with his back to me. F7 was about a foot, maybe 2 feet, in fair territory and reaching slightly to his right to make the catch...completely misses it.

I call fair ball because the cues from the trajectory, the position of F7's glove, and the fact that the defense blocked me, made it a fair ball. The only reason I have reason to believe it may have been wrong is the 3rd base coach looked back with a little surprise when I didn't make a foul call and was pointing fair. But, then again, he could have just been checking to see what I ruled, because all in stride he was waving his runners on.

In the end, you aren't in a 6-man crew where having an umpire on top of every play with a better view is easier. I disagree with nickrego that more umpires ONLY means less to worry about. While it is true you each have responsibilities and that you shouldn't rely on a partner to bail you out, you have more umpires available so more often then not, you can have an umpire where he needs to be to make the most informed call.

So, in scenarios such as this, you take all the information you can gather about the play, you rule on it, and you rule on it confidently.