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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 [/B][/QUOTE]
It's true that it is always the umpire making the original call's responsibility to change his call if he so desires, but it is the responsibility of his partner to let him know that he has some info that might help him 'get it right'. How this happens should be decided in your pre-game.
FYI, this is what the NCAA is asking of their baseball umpires. In the situations listed below, a partner who is 100% certain he has additional information unknown to the umpire making the call should approach unsolicited and alert the other umpire to such information. However, the ultimate decision to change a call rests with the calling umpire.
1. Deciding if a home run is fair or foul.
2. Deciding whether a batted ball left the playing field for a home run or ground rule double.
3. Cases where a foul tip is dropped or trapped by the catcher.
4. Cases where a foul fly ball is caught or not caught.
5. Cases when an umpire clearly errs in judgment because they did not see the ball dropped or juggled after making a tag or force.
6. Spectator interference plays.
7. Balks called by an umpire who clearly did not realize the pitcher's foot was off the rubber.
Umpires are not to seek help on plays on which they are 100% confident in their judgment and view of the play. Head coaches are not entitled to a second opinion when the calling umpire is certain his decision is correct. On the other hand, and contrary to past practice, umpires are not to "die with the call" in cases where a) the calling umpire is not 100% certain he is right; and b) another umpire has additional information which could lead to a proper ruling. Both NCAA philosophy and umpire integrity -- consistent with NCAA rules -- dictate that calls be reversed in this situation.
Judgment calls, which have traditionally not been subject to reversal, include: steal and other tag plays (except if the ball is dropped without the umpire's knowledge as discussed above); force plays (when the ball is not dropped and the foot is not pulled); balls and strikes (other than check swings). This practice shall continue. Also, some calls cannot be reversed without creating larger problems. An example is a "catch/no catch" with multiple runners.
Overall, umpires are urged to seek help on reversible plays in which they may have erred by not seeing a crucial element of a play. Such meetings, while necessary, should be infrequent and not become a substitute for umpires seeking proper angles, exercising sound judgment, and having the conviction to stay with a call that an umpire believes was properly made.
IMHO, when it comes to rules, I would hate to have the coach point out to me that I had mis-applied or mis-interpreted a rule (plus it's embarrassing). I always ask my partner(s), in the pre-game, to let me know when I haven't applied or interpreted a rule correctly.
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