[IRISHMAFIA]

Yes, I've been to quite a few clinics, seminars and schools involving NFHS, ASA and ISF. Some instructors even take a couple of minutes to tell you how to handle such an event and part of that information is not "stick with the call."

It is my belief that anyone who preaches to knowingly stick with a wrong call because they are too proud or it is a judgment call is perpetuating a "smug attitude" reputation most players believe umpires carry. I have never taken heat for getting the call right. I have often been thanked for recognizing the fact that someone may have had a better angle on the play even though they did not receive the call they wanted.

It is not possible to cover ALL the angles no matter how many umpires you have on the field. That is a fact of softball life.

The C position in FP ball sucks for calls at 1B, but is necessitated by the nature and rules of the game. Trailing a runner to 1st is NOT the highest priority for the PU once a runner has reached 2B.

So what happens if you think it may have been a pulled foot, but then again, maybe not. You look for help from your partner and s/he is in a holding zone halfway up the 3B line where they are supposed to be. Now you have not only failed to make a call, but possibly end up standing there like a deer in the headlights. No matter what you do, you are going to look like the town fool. Going to your partner prior to making a call is not asking for help, but giving up the call.

I'll let my eyes tell my brain what they think they saw, and let my brain make the call. No appeals will be allowed until after the play is dead. I will never ask for help when I had the call. I will never ask for help unless it is possible something happened that I didn't see. If I ask an umpire for help, he damn well better be honest with me.

I gave up a call last week in the manner you're suggesting and I took a load of crap from the defense. Three-umpire system, I'm PU sidling with a runner hung up between 3B and home. BU on the back end near 3B. When the runner broke for home, I moved with him. Unfortunately, the defender with the ball who had the runner dead out at the plate decided to lunge for the runner instead of throwing the ball. Even with a quick stop, I couldn't see a tag on the backside of the play. I immediately went to my partner:
"Ronny, did he make a tag?" At that point, I gave up the call since I just admitted I saw no tag. My partner's appropriate reply was, "safe." Man, the manager of the Air Force team was all over me and I didn't even make the call. Even though I was exactly where I was supposed to be, the player opted for the low-percentage play and I couldn't see a tag. Sometimes the players just don't make the right plays.

Meanwhile, back at the HS & college level, ANYTIME a PU is asked to go for help on a checked swing, you go. Doesn't make any difference if the BU is in the proper position, you go. Does it make any sense? Not always, but you always ask for help. And why is that? Because that is what the rule book says to do? In some cases, but I have also heard umpires tell me they do that they are just appeasing the coach to calm the team down or it doesn't hurt because they know their call will stand they covered it in the pre-game meeting.. Hmmm, let me see here. It's okay to acknowledge and appeal on a measily ball/strike call, but not on something as important as a safe/out call.

Well, now I am confused.