I too believe it is bad decorum, and CONTRARY TO THE RULE BOOK for the non-calling partner to question his partners call without first being asked. I have seen several plays already this year where my partner should have asked me for help, and I would have given him a call opposit of his, but he didn't, and I get to work on keeping a straight face!

I also agree that you don't neccissarily, as the base umpire, NEED to make a call and wait for the coach for you to ask for help. I also think it would be a sign of weakness to go for help too often, and this could call into question your competency on the field.

The way I cover the pulled foot/swipe tag at 1st issue in pre-games:

If you/I are unsure, and there is reasonable doubt if the fielder stayed on the bag/runner was not tagged, ASK IMMEDIATELY. Don't guess! Ask for help.

If you/I are pretty sure you seen it, and there isn't reasonable doubt if the fielder stayed on the bad/runner was not tagged, MAKE THE CALL. Use good timing and sell it appropriately. I might say something to the effect of (as I am signaling the out) "Yes, he stayed on the bag", or of course "On the tag" as a way to sell the call to the nearby 1st base coach. If he is off the bag, use the "Safe! Off the bag!" signal. No tag, I might say "No tag!" really loud while making my safe signal and shaking my head no.

Since adopting the above, I have had MUCH less questioning about my calls.

But, coaches are going to disagree. Fine. If a coach asks me to ask for help on a pulled foot/swipe tag at first after the fact, I am going to go talk to my partner about it. Before doing so, I will tell the coach "I am going to talk to myu partner and make sure I have all the info coach. It will still be my call", and I WILL NOT let the coach go to talk to my partner about the call after we confer.

I think it is important though to lose the idea that you HAVE to make a call. If you have a doubt, ASK FOR HELP! Trust me, it only adds credibility to the job you do. Even the coach that it goes against has a hard time faulting you for asking for help. COACHES ARE THE ONES THAT INITIATED THIS WHOLE "ASK FOR HELP" MECHANIC WE NOW HAVE!!! It pleases them when you do.

In the current culture of umpiring, you don't have to live and die by your call like you did the old days (thank god!). Take advantage of this and work as a team.

In no other sport where there is an officiating crew have I seen officials who are so pig headed about sticking with their call as umpires are. It is changing, and I think it is a good change. But, there are still a lot of guys who have the old "That is my call, I am sticking to it" mentality, or think it is a show of weakness to not make a call first and wait to see if there is an arguement. To me, that is hogwash umpiring, and I feel uncomfortable with partners who think this way. It is not on-board with "Get the call right" mentality. That way of thinking is "Let's see if I can get away with an out".

Man up and be willing to ask for help with you have a reasonable doubt about the play. But first, remember to see if your partner was in any position to actually help! God knows, I have seen too many plate guys not be where they should be on plays at first.