Bob,
I'm going to address some things in your message:
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If I'm BU, I am worrying about the play, not if the PU is following the runner to first.
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My PU better be looking up the line there, especially when I am coming from the C position to make that call. I trust my partner to be there to help me if needed.
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. Sometimes I will ask for help on my own, BUT only after I make the call, and only for a swipe tag, or a pulled foot at first.
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This is asking for trouble, in my opinion. If you make a call and then ask your partner for help, you have just lost credibility as an umpire. On every close play the remainder of the game, you'll hear, "Get some help Blue!"
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If I come to you for an appeal, I will ask you direct questions Did She pull her foot, Did She make the tag on the swipe. That is the only info I want from the PU. If I just point to you to make a call, you might think she held the bag, but beat the throw. That is not your call, I only want to know if she pulled her foot, I am asking for no other info.
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I agree 100% here, just ask the questions before you make a call. Sam spelled out the situation beautifully. As you said, you are not asking the PU to make the call, you are asking for further information you need to make the call.
As a BU, it is your responsibility to get to the best position to make the call. Terry's play can be one of the most difficult to do that because of where the BU starts and the other activity going on between second and third base. If you can't get a good look at the play at first and have any doubt, go for help
before you make a call.