Just to add my "me too" to what's already been said:
[list=1][*]Make sure it is truly a trouble ball by reading, pausing, and reacting (as has been said, "When in doubt, go out!") - A trouble ball is:
- One that causes a fielder to charge toward the line.
- One that causes an outfielder to charge straight in.
- One that might be caught while an outfielder charges back.
- One that might be caught by an outfielder below the belt.
- One that causes two or more fielders to converge.
- One that is a potential home run, ground rule double, or off the wall.
- One that requires a fair or foul decision in the outfield.
[*]Make sure you communicate with your partner. "I've got the ball," and "I've got the line," are appropriate. (Never say, "I'm going out," because that sentence contains the word, "out.")
[*]Be sure to go over this in pre-game with your partner. Otherwise, when you go out, second base might be left uncovered. Make sure your partner understands that when you go out, he's got the batter-runner all the way around to third.
[*]In
most areas, after going out, the base umpire is required to rotate down and cover the plate in the unlikely event the batter-runner reaches there. This really looks good to the spectators - like you know what you're doing.
[*]Once you're out, you're out. Never change your mind. Once you decide to go, go. Nothing looks worse than a base umpire trying like heck to get to second, while making a call from behind the play, and possibly a call in conflict with his partner's who busted his behind to cover second for him.
Never do that!
[Edited by Jim Porter on Apr 14th, 2001 at 06:53 PM]