[heyblue]

Question for the board. I think this was asked in the past, but how do you handle having a lazy partner?

Last night I was doing men's fastpitch for the first time. Even though I've done 18-U and some women's fp, the speed of the game is vastly different. My partner has been in the business for about 18 years, even though this is the first time we've umped together.
I'm the FU. R1 on 1B. Ball hit to the outfield. R1 tries to make it to third, only to get caught in a rundown. I look to see where my partner is, and he is still standing behind homeplate watching the play. After about 4 tosses, the guy is tagged out. BR is now on second. On the next pitch, the hit and run is on. Ball is hit to F6 who tosses the ball to F5. Again we have a run down. I look for my partner and he's still standing behind homeplate watching the action. After 5 tosses, the runner is tagged out again. End of inning. I go to talk to my partner and he's talking with some of the guys on 1st base dugout. I heard something to the effect of "the rookie's gotta pay his dues" and laughs. I'm steaming at this point. I wanted to talk to him to find out why he didn't back me up. However, after that comment, I thought it was better if I didn't say anything at all. Rest of that game and the next went off ok.

My question is, how would you have handled it? Should I have talked with him on the field? After the last game he got his money and left so I didn't get a chance to talk to him after the last game. I plan on talking to my assignor and ask to not be partnered with him again. Is that a fair request?