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Originally posted by IRISHMAFIA
Quote:
Originally posted by Justme
From the responses to my comment it appears that in softball rather than correct a rule mis-interpretation you wait for a coach the "catch you" then you correct it? Am I understanding you all? I'm new to softball umpiring so I want to learn.
In the baseball world, where I have spent 20+ years umpiring youth to college ball, we are taught to get together and correct rule mis-interpretations. In fact for the past few years it has been suggested (and required) that even in some cases of 'kicked' calls the other umpire (or umpires) should approach the umpire making the call 'unsolicited' if they have information that might help him/her make the correct call (in the 2004 & 2005 D1 umpire's championship guide). Of course in the case of a kicked call no one can over rule the umpire making the call because if it isn't a rule mis-interp then it's a judgment call. The umpire making the call is the one that can change it....again this is on judgment calls.
Is it different in softball?
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In softball, it is ALWAYS that the umpire making the call is the only one that can change it, not just on judgment calls.
And there are many in baseball which will tell you it's taboo to ask for help on a judgment call if there was the possibility they were blocked or forced into a bad angle. Some will tell you to just eat the call, part of the game.
To many softball umpires, that is ridiculous. BTW, I started at 14 and worked baseball for 22 years. When it became boring, I moved over to softball. I've been quite happy the past 17 years working the game with more than twice the action baseball provides.
So, I guess the answer is yes, it is different in softball.
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Seems like there is a lot of unneccessary comparison between softball and baseball. PERHAPS between softball codes there are some opposite approaches, just as some baseball codes may depart from the norm. I have no ASA experience, and little Pony. Besides baseball, I call HS, NSA, and LL softball. And in none of them can an umpire be overrulled by his partner, ever.
When it is appropriate to discuss the call, get it right. But the way for that to happen is for the non-calling umpire to convince his partner to overturn himself. There are some common situations where that happens, such as the check swing and pulled foot. But even for these plays, the partner provides information and the umpire with the responsibility makes the call: PU - Did she go? BU - Yes, she did! PU - Strike.
I would not want my partner to initiate a conference to tell me I got it wrong. If I did blow an interp, the coach should be the one to bring it to my attention. (If it happens too frequently, I need to work on my game, or find a new avocation). After the coach expresses his opinion, then it will be my decision to involve my partner. That said, there may be times when an umpire provides his partner with information. Even on a judgment call: Partner - Balls on the ground, Mike! Mike - she's safe.
But long before an umpire helps his partner on a play, they need to be on the same page. Whether or not they are going to get it right by stepping in unsolicited or not, they should discuss the circumstances in a pre-game conference. I can't imagine a much worse scenario than one umpire telling his partner he got it wrong, and having that partner chew him a new one.
Mike