[Spence]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

Spence,

No, that is not quite the standard procedure/acceptable.

The "unacceptable" part is that the original calling umpire ALWAYS makes/announces the "final call".

There are basically two schools of thought on the question you pose.

A. If the BU did not see what he needed to to make the call, he should not make a call. He should immediately go to his partner (assuming he wasn't otherwise occupied) and say, "John! Did he have the bag?", to which the reply would be "Pat, YES. He KEPT the bag!" after which Pat crisply punches out the runner and we go to our respective positions.

B. Just use ALL the evidence available and make your best call like you've never been more sure of anything in your life. Then, IF a coach comes out to talk to you, and he's being reasonable, and your partner wasn't otherwise occupied, and he asks if you could check with your partner, and you feel like it, you say, "Sure, Matt. Give me a minute and I''l go check with him." Then you go find out what your partner had, decide if you want to change your call, and then go tell everybody. It is considered "courteous" to notify the offended coach ahead of "announcing" your decision if you do decide to change your call.

JM

Thanks, JM.

Doesn't "B" set you up to be questioned on any close play? I agree with asking for help in A but I think B sets you up for a lot of conversations. If I'm the ump and I "saw what I saw" and wasn't obstructed why would I open a can of worms?