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Is this really and "if he's gonna be out, he's gonna be out situation"?
I would hope not. This was exactly the opposite -- an ususual play. I can accept that many times perception is reality, but not on the play in question.
As for the question whether he should have gotten help, I guess I'd analyze it like this. Ump must ask himself two simple questions: (1) do I need help, and (2) was anyone in better position than me to see the play? If the answer to EITHER question is no, I think the umpire has an OBLIGATION to not ask for help. Asking for help to answer the second question, where the ump thinks the answer is no, is a big bad can of worms, IMHO.
Everyone talks as though asking for help should be the default, because the game was important, etc. I disagree (other than in the situation where question 2 might be answered differently in an important game due to an extra umpire on the field).
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