Quote:
Originally posted by Tim C
Blaine,
You are still "just" an umpire.
I think your first post was your point . . . you think umpires in certain field positions shouldn't help . . . you are wrong and I am right.
Try to impress us as you will with your "Big Time" experience . . . I'll stick with the others on this board that know HOW to call a game of America's Pasttime.
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Tee,
What happens if you only think you're "right"? Perhaps you are not right. I happen to agree with Blaine that there are umpires in the "wrong" position to properly appeal, not in terms of the rules per se but perception, appearance, and practicality. I can present support in terms of UDP "requiring" PU to check with the proper BU in a three-man system which would lead me to conclude that in a two-man system LHB, umpire in "A" ain't it. Or if he is "proper" his view is less ideal that BU in "D". I think to conclude anything about an umpire's ability solely on this relatively minor mechanics disagreement is to risk really being wrong.
If we put it to a vote in the Forum and 51%+ agree with Blaine and myself would you change your opinion or your mechanics? I doubt that. There is another possible element here that might be "local custom". Perhaps in your neck of the woods routinely appealing LHB to BU in "A" is accepted. If you feel comfortable with it continue to use it.
Some savvy umpire on the Internet said once that we have no clue as to the ability of an umpire based only upon how he conducts himself on the Internet. We have to see that umpire on the field. Hey this is just my opinion. I can say that if I was PU and I appealed to a BU I respected with a LHB in "A" and he ruled a Strike, I would simply move on --one strike closer to the end of the game and a cool one in the parking lot where we still might disagree but that is the right of professional umpires of amateur baseball. - Jim