Gold Spark, let's start at the point that we both definitely agree. Don't go to your partner for the mere purpose of appeasing a coach.
If you are certain of your call as you saw it, then stick with it---and know how to handle the complaining coach. Don't use your partner as a scapegoat from your situation.
You say:
First of all . . . if an umpire makes a call. He should never ask for help afterwards. If he was able to see the play good enough and make a call under his own judgement, that is the end of the story.
Since calls are basically designated to specific umpires, we are sometimes forced to make calls where we don't have all the information we'd like, but yet we
must make a call. We don't always have the luxury of assurance that our partner
has that additional information to clear our doubt. This is needing additional information, not asking for his opinion of the "timing" of the play. The decision on the "timing" of the call remains yours---right or wrong. Don't seek a 2nd opininon merely because it' a close call; do so only when
you know you have doubt due to being blocked out on angle and you have good reason to believe you've blown the call. Also consider the angle your partner has. If a throw from F6 potentially pulls F3 off 1B down the rightfield line, does PU have the best angle, or do you? Obviously, you as BU have the best angle on that call, so why ask PU? There's no reason to seek help even if your partner thought differently----
YOU had the best angle to make the decision, and
YOU saw and called the play.
Prime example is R2 only with BU in C position and a ground ball to F6.
This situation is often used to show the flaw inherent in the 2-man system. In amateur play, that initial play could go to 3B, 2B (diving back), or 1B on the BR. That initial call remains the responsibility of BU. The best he can do is move to the back of the mound and react to the play.
He cannot overcommit anywhere until F6 makes a play. By the time it's decided that the play will go to 1B, he cannot gain adequate ground to be in good position for a pulled foot or swipe tag.
Hopefully, PU will still be available for aid if needed, but BU doesn't always know for sure---especially if working with an unfamiliar partner. Some PU's break for 3B for a play that never happens---abandoning that good angle on the foot or swipe tag. (As PU I'm
always watching 1B line in case my partner needs help). If you are confident PU is watching and ready to help, you can and should gain that help before making the initial call. It's great crew coordination (that looks great) when done properly.
If you don't have that confidence in your partner, you must make the call.
If I'm in doubt regarding a pulled foot or swipe tag, I'll always call this runner safe. I make the defense
prove the out to me. Should a call be reversed later, it will make it an out. Play proceeds as if the runner is safe. A coach's or crowd's reaction can, at times, tell you that there was doubt elsewhere about the successful tagging of the base or player. After the play is over, you can privately converse with your partner and change the call if needed---but only if he's
certain the base or player was tagged. Still, if you are certain of your original call, there is no need discuss it with your partner. Tell the coach it's your call, and you saw the entire play---the call stands.
While some say it's
illegal to change this call, I say hogwash. There is proof of changing calls when additional information is available, and it's supported by rulebooks and/or casebooks under all major sets of rules. More dignity in lost in sticking with an obviously poor call vs. gaining help and getting the call right---even if it means changing a call. The problem is caused not by lack of the official's capability or hustle, but by problems inherent in a 2-man system and from working with unfamiliar partners frequently. We are not professional umpires; we don't have 4 man crews; and we don't work daily with the same partners. We should take necessary steps to get the call correct when there is doubt in our minds that we may have obviously blown a call. When done properly, that action is respected rather than ridiculed.
Just my opinion,
Freix