[gordon30307]

But if the calling official was sure about their call and saw the entire play, it is not our job to change the call for them.



No, it actually is our job to do just that. Jerry Crawford ruled the ball fair in the AL Div. Series and was overruled by his partners. He was sure of his call, remember, he made the call and they approached him - not the other way around. In last nights game, Joyce (Home Run) and Marsh (Interference) both made their respective calls. Read that again...THEY MADE THEIR CALLS. Only after Francona came running onto the field did either of them look for help. They made calls that they thought were correct. (BTW, that was Marsh’s second kicked call of this series.) Their partners recognize the scrutiny that the entire crew is under and persuaded them to rectify the play. As a couple of members have said, this crew did it very well. The original calling official was convinced he kicked it and signalled the change. You’ve long felt that another official offering assistance is an afront to your abilities. These guys are the best of the bunch and they needed assistance on several occasions.

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But there is a difference in a ML baseball game where we have 6 Umpires and on every play there is someone that has your back as compared to a 2 Man system where no one has a clear look at their partner's calls in many situations. This is just about as absurd comparison as it would be for most HS officials to compare themselves and mechanics with NFL or NCAA with 7 Officials. There are just some calls you have to live with and no one can help you. And if another official in situations are watching you so closely, what the heck are they missing.


Wow, that must be good pot.
You’ve just restated the same, silly argument again. On the A-Rod play, who is watching for the interference call - the first base umpire, five feet away and looking right at it or the home plate umpire, ninety feet away? Watch the play again, closely. Marsh saw exactly what happened and made his call. Arroyo and Millar went nuts about the ball being knocked away. Francona came running out and Marsh motioned for him that he was going for help, because he knew he kicked it. Most of us have been there - we’ve made a call and as soon as our mouth starts to move a neuron fires and tells us that we blew it. He knew it and so did Francona, Torre and A-Rod. If that play had happened in Boston, A-Rod wouldn’t have been so vocal walking away. Better yet, if one of the Boston players had tried that with Clark, he would still be running.

I’m not sure why this concept is difficult for you. You jumped on the pile when I first proposed the concept and most everyone recognizes that while I may be arrogant, opinionated and controversial...I am right on this one. I will be glad to call up some of my better zingers and ridicule your thoughts again. Remember this one... “Baseball umpiring is evolving. If you don’t want to adapt, don’t be surprised when you get run over by a coach that sees everyone else asking for help, but not you! You are the amazing Rut and no partner of yours could possibly have seen what you saw.” - May 22, 2004 3:08 p.m.

This is not football or basketball. Focus with us here. Two, three, four or six man...it doesn’t matter. The more trained eyes, the better. Will every call warrant an appeal or correction? No...but, if your pride prevents you from accepting honest insight to the play from your partners, you should sell your gear. [/B][/QUOTE]

Hi Windy,

The two plays in question getting help is OK. However where do you draw the line. Assume two man which is what most of us do consistently. It goes without saying checked swing, foul off the foot, pulled foot or swipe tag at first maybe one or two other plays that don't come to mind are plays where we "traditionally" can seek help.

As a field umpire I have had coaches request me to ask for help on a tag at third base a tag on a runner between bases
and a pulled foot at second on a force. All of these plays the coach came charging out giving me pause that I may have missed something (quite sure I had them all right). I'm on top of the play and despite the begging and pleading there was no way I would go to my partner who is 100 feet away. If in fact I did miss them (And I didn't) I would have ate crow (always carry mustard with just in case) and not put my partner on the spot. Here's my question to you. Other than rules and the traditional plays in a two man system where do you find it appropriate to seek help.