[WhatWuzThatBlue]

I knew I would rile a few guys like you. I've held this conviction for some time now. I was mocked when I warned that 'umpire conferences' would occr at the Major League level (No way, Windy...those guys are too arrogant and experienced to have one of their calls challenged!!!!). Yet, it happened and I smirked with contentment.

It should come as little surprise that this call would eventually happen. The problem with this one, may be that some of you think that the 3BU should always make this call. Many of us operate under the 'past the bag, it's yours philosophy'. This ball hit the bag and was a pretty clear call for Angel Hernandez. Yes, he is involved in controversial calls, but that may mean that he is aware enough to do what is right, not easy.

I have never over ruled a partner who has called something that was my call to make. I have, however, let them swing for a while as the skipper takes a bite or two out of them. Getting together to discuss it usually solves the issue and our egos, while large, usually shrink enough to acknowledge our blunder.

Lest we forget...MLB allows this call to be made. The conference on this call was appropriate according to MLB standards or these guys wouldn't have done it. Some of you need to accept that things are done for very different reasons at that level. You may not be comfortable doing it, but those guys have to comply or they will miss out on post season assignments or worse.

Like I said, if this was game 7 of the WS and your hero bounced one off the bag, you'd want the crew to get the call right. Just because it hasn't been seen before, doesn't make it any less important to the game. For that batter, his hit ended a long drought. Penalizing a player for your ineptitude is unacceptable at that level. I suggest that some of us may do well to start thinking that way. If you can't or won't, don't blame me when you are ignored for bigger assignments. The ability to adapt is key to life. I once wore a sport coat on the bases and used an outside protector when working games early in my career. Watch some old games and you'll see that dinosaurs like us have been forced to accept new mechanics many times. Illinois High School recently adopted a mechanic that keeps the BU in B for 99% of the plays. I don't like it, because I'm not as fast as I once was, but I need to do it if I work those games. Yeah,I know...Fed baseball is strange.

Anyway, do whatever you have to do to keep your assignor and league happy. If they want the right call made at all costs, you know what you have to do. If not...nothing has changed and we've got a good thread to debate.