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"Does that matter in this ONE instance? You bet. Each time "help" is solicted outside of the normal "help" plays, it furthers the practice, encourages coaches to demand help on other, "non help" plays, encourages umpires to make calls without working as hard to get the proper look, slows down the game and does not guarantee that the right call will be made. Call it what you want, slippery slope, the camels nose in the tent...dangerous precedent."
Garth - I'm not sure I've seen a "normal help play". If you have to ask for help, it's usually because something out of the ordinary happened. Contrary to your contention that it breeds lethargy, it makes everyone work harder. Do you want to be the guy that everyone always bails out?
Here's another example of umpires not wanting to change for the good of the game. So what, if coaches will be more demanding of our calls or consults? If you are ignorant of the outcome, don't let pride stand in the way of a good call. Ask and offer once the coach makes it clear that he wants you to be sure of the call. Yes, he is second guessing you, but fifty percent of those watching do that on our every call. If you are consistent and an effective communicator, this shouldn't be the dramedy that some envision.
JJ - we've both worked enough ball games with guys that'll say, "Don't come to me on a pulled foot at first - that's your call." I've also had partners tell me that they don't offer help on swipe tags at first. Usually, these are guys who appear on the local minor league umpire rosters. They believe that you should be in the position to make the call and that asking for help from 90 feet away just opens a can of worms. Again, so what? If you saw it and I ask, give me what you've got! We do that on fouls off the batter or uncaught third strikes already.
That didn't happen and as I've said, he made the call and didn't ask for help. We've already seen some bad mechanics and I'm pretty sure that this will be reviewed. These umpires did a pretty nice job. They were consistent and hustled like very few crews before. It was nice to see so little controversy in such a big series.
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