Quote:
Originally posted by rharrell
I agree, never intervene on a judgement call unless asked, but what if your partner misinterprets a rule? I see no problem with calling a conference with my partner.
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IMO, that's a tougher situation. As a trainer, I am intentionally with newer and less experienced or lower rated umpires, for the purpose of helping them improve. This one really depends on the situation.
If it is "just league", I may sit back and see what happens. If there is no complaint, and it isn't a game-breaker, I would wait until the half inning, and address it then. I might even talk to the coaches later, so they learn the right application.
If this is the first time my partner was challenged, and depending on how hot the conversation is getting, I might, again, stay back and watch how he handles it. I will absolutely interject myself if it is getting close to ejection-quality hot; I never want a coach ejected because we missed a rule. If it sounds like "protest" is a word that is about to be used, I will approach my partner before that point.
With a more experienced partner or major game (qualifying tournament, college ball), my job is to make sure his conversation is one-on-one; only. His call, his rule interpretation or application; unless I'm asked by my partner, I have no part of the conversation. In that case, it is the coaches' jobs to know the rules, how to approach the umpire who erred, and to protest if necessary. I know I can get it fixed if it reaches that point, without needing a UIC to address a protest.