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Ok guys, lets play this out. For whatever reason (name some?) both umps walk off, 3rd inning Amer Legion Tourney game- fans and players riding 1 ump, so he walks and other follows, not knowing why.
You know that both rats will complain(Big F**Deal!), TD complains- plus game possibly rescheduled w/ diff umps,---
Assigner asks you, "Pete, why did you lose control of the game and leave?"
Are you telling him that "It was my partner, I just followed along, didnt know why at the time, "but I had his back"" ...?
"But Pete, you were there, why didnt you take control before it got out of hand?"...
"Mr Assigner, it was my partners job to handle, didnt want to step in on his turf, and then he walked , so I followed, not sure why at the time."
Seems to me, at this point, that the assigner, TD, other area officials including co-workers, now look at you and your pard a bit differently (what in the world happened that Pete couldnt control things and he left before game end?) You are probably "silently thanking" your pard for this mess, but of course(since you have his back) you dont explain to anyone, even in private, how he walked off, leaving you to decide what you are going to do, because he didnt walk up to you and explain "Heres what happened , shouldnt we leave?".
As we deserve the respect from players and coachs, so also do we from our fellow umpires. Notice my recurring theme about a partner walking off w/out even talking to his partner (telling me w/ good reasons, we're both gone!). That shows lack of respect, and maybe the "got his back" position, in this case, is not set in stone.
I love this game, and will defend the integrity of it, and continue to act as a professional and uphold all I believe in and why I choose to be a proud sports official. So, that being said, I'm not a sheep, to blindly follow without reason, and am reluctant to make blanket statements (like some others here) because nothing is in black/white. Each situation is different.
And Pete, maybe a little less "us vs them" arrogance, since we do have "ultimate power" to deal with any prob during the game, would be advised. I'm sure you're a fine ump (just assuming), and if so, thats good. I happen to enjoy the respect I've earned from my fellow officials, various assigners and coaches-- which gets me the games I want, when I want, and working with friends or helping the newbies along.
But hey, its just my opinion, and you know what they say opinions are like--right Pete?
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