Quote:
Originally posted by Tim C
Just for general information:
I have never said: "I was trained to say Infield fly, Infield Fly!" I simple stated that is what I say.
Whipping the Dead Horse yet one more time:
There are two things in a game I will NEVER do:
1) Say, "Batter's Out!"
2) And as a PU say, "NO, he didn't go!" (on a checked/unchecked swing)
Tee
Now I'll crawl back into my hole and allow all those who think MLB needs "instant replay", umpire huddles, and "getting the call right at all costs" take back over the "New Direction" of umpiring.
T
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Certainly, saying "Infield Fly, Batter's Out" is not "New Direction" umpiring, in fact, I wouldn't know what "New Direction" is about, since I am "Old School" through and through.
I do know that in the early 1980's, the pro school's were teaching "Infield Fly, Batter's Out", and "Ball, NO, he didn't go!" as the standard mechanic. On the latter, my association adopted the call of "Ball" only, and ask for help if requested.
I know I'm not as good as you, Tim, because in my meager 19 years as an umpire, I have had to ask the PU for help on pulled foot/swipe tag. I can count the occasions on one hand, however.
Baseball needs instant replay like a fish needs a bicycle, and huddles should be for football. I have always prided myself on living and dying with my own call, as I was taught to get my own plays. When I was a plebe of an umpire, I once asked for help from a veteran, on a call that was all mine. He gruffly yelled, "NOT my call!", and I learned a valuable lesson about getting my calls myself!
Dead Horse Beaten Once Again