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Mr. Johnston,
I agree that it is not our primary duty to watch for pulled feet or swipe tags once we are on the move. However, we have both worked many a game where we have caught things because we know where to look. Strybel said, at this level, our "heads are on swivels" and I agree. That is what we were taught in Pro School and that is what we do on the field. Even the Pros watch one another's backs and have the cajones to change calls made by veterans.
But I got to thinking...I know a dangerous thing for an umpire to attempt, but I did it. A couple of people (some that take great pride in their accomplishments) have suggested that a field umpire would never change a call made by the PU. I can think of several examples that I have been involved with, where that very thing happened. Knowing how long you've been around, I'm sure that these are common to your experience.
1) The batter fouls one off his foot and the PU is completely screened. He jumps out, mask in hand and indicates "Fair" as the catcher scoops it up and fires to first. I am the BU and see it hit the batter from over 90 feet away - he's just three - how could I possibly overrule his call? Experience, good eyes and the knowledge that my partners trust my judgement.
2) The "caught" foul tip, that really wasn't. I've been on both sides of this bad boy. The PU is blocked and by the time he can get a good look, the catcher is up and firing it to third.
3) The ubiquitous check swing. The PU calls "Ball" and mumbles "No he didn't" to the catcher. The head coach asks for the appeal and the field ump (don't care which side) signals "Strike". Okay, so we chase him out of the parking lot, but from his angle, it was clear.
4) I've also had the royal pain of having a batter step into the box with an illegal bat while I'm in the field. Remember, in Fed we check the bats and hats prior to the game and I alerted the team that the bat could not be used. The smarty thinks I won't notice when he steps in the box during his second AB. Wrong! I'll bet you've never seen that one called by the field umpire.
5) I'm in "C" last year, working with a rookie - good guy, but very green. The pitch comes inside, a 40 mph curve and the kid leans his elbow into it. He calls "Time" and awards first base. The defensive coach comes out and asks him to ask me for help. Great, now I've got to bail him out! The coach was right, my partner was wrong. I talked to my partner and asked him if he thought the kid intentionally leaned into it. He said it doesn't matter. Now, I've got a headache...I tell him the rule and ask him to put the guy back in the box. Since it hit him in the strike zone, it is a strike. The offensive coach and I go way back. He doesn't say "Boo", because he knows what happened and he was up by six runs. The umps have a post game at our trunks and he says he was nervous and wanted to impress me. We've all been there.
These are just acouple of examples. For all of those members that feel that the boys from Illinois still have some learnin'...read them again. This wasn't one-upsmanship...it was getting the call right.
JJ - please ask the NFSHS to dump the tossed glove ruling. It is a joke and flies in the face of sportsmanship and gamesmanship.
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