Quote:
Originally posted by mcrowder
I think what they(we) are trying to tell you is that you need to make some sort of call here. This exact situation is unique in that it is likely that your partners are looking in your direction. But they won't always be. What if, for some reason, no one else was looking in the right direction. You don't KNOW what they were looking at, since your eyes were on the cloud of dust. Since this is YOUR call - you need to make it. And then (since you know you didn't see the whole play) be completely willing to discuss with your partners when asked. Worst thing that could have happened here - you make no call, announce you saw nothing, and for some reason your partners also have nothing to add.
It's also unique in that play is essentially relaxed after the call you need to make ... but it won't always be. What happens on this exact play if you try to ask partner for help, but other things are happening. You make no call, and then F5 fires to 2nd base for a play there. Can R1 run? Should F4 throw home to get him? No one knows - you didn't make a call.
In short (I know --- too late!), I think it's pretty much unanimous here from your umpiring brethren --- MAKE A CALL. You can always sort it out and fix it afterwards if necessary. But MAKE A CALL. In this case - you didn't see a tag. So the call is SAFE. You have to SEE an out to call an out.
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I agree you have to make some call here then if need be go to your partner. I had a play, R1, R2, 1 out. Ground ball to 3rd. Player comes up with it and starts to throw to 2nd for the front end of a DP. I see this and I start to move across the working area to make the call at 2nd and then at first. Last second he pulls the ball down and goes to try and tag R2. I get straight lined and the runner tries to avoid and I cannot tell if tag happened or not. I signal safe as I did not see a tag. Play ends and the defensive coach is already starting to come out. I told him to relax and I checked with my partner to see if he had a tag as he was at a better angle, albeit down by home. He said he that there was a tag and I changed the call to an out.
In your play I don't care for a partner check on that player going back into 3rd base as all he is going to see is A's and E's (hopefully you know what that is) and he will have no angle on this play at all. Make your call and live with it. Sometimes setting up a step or 2 from your nornal spot will help in that "sunset" situation. For example I have called on a field where the sun setting is right behind the hitters when I am in A and you can see nothing. The fix? Move to B. Now I can see and be of some use to my partner is needed.