[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by derwil

Couple things here......

1) If I'm BU and a PU comes and calls INT on a play at the bases, there had better be a need for ambulances and body bags. If not, the PU is going to get an earfull after the game or between innings. That IS NOT the PU's call unless all hell breaks loose. Right or wrong BU has to make that decision.

I do not necessarily agree with this. I don't care if there are 12 umpires on the field, you are never going to be able to cover every angle on every play. They cannot even do it with cameras.

If any umpire sees INT or OBS (and I'm not talking about guessing), they should call it. A BU is trapped behind a play cannot always see everything that is in front of the players including facial expressions. Whereas, the PU is supposed to come into the IF when there are no runners in scoring position to observe the play and aid the BU in the umpire duties. And remember, this wasn't a play at a base, it was a fielder attempting to field a batted ball.

While I agree there are certain boundaries for umpires to adhere, rulings on INT & OBS, IMO are not violations you simply overlook. Again, I'm not talking about something questionable, but something with which there is little doubt. But for an umpire to say s/he didn't make a call because that "wasn't my call" is a (showing age) cop out for not making the tough decision.

2) Irish is correct (anyone surprised?) that the defender can go anywhere to field the ball and is protected to do so, even/especially in the base path. While the PU had the correct call according to the scenario you have stated in the OP, he should have (using a basketball term) "swallowed his whistle" and let the BU explain why he called it the way he did. Maybe something else happened, who knows.

But then it is too late. The BU didn't make a call to explain. OP stated that he waited to give the BU time to make a call which never came. Was it a brain freeze, didn't have a great angle or what? As noted, the PU saw and made the right call. It is obvious the BU didn't know what he was doing.

What do you tell the teams that are paying you to officiate the ball game? "Sorry, my partner isn't qualified, but I cannot make a call in his territory?"

It is this thought process that perpetuates the myths like there must be contact for INT or OBS to be called or that umpires take it upon themselves to let the players determine the outcome by not making the tough calls.

3) IF both umpires call opposite rulings on the play, you have uncorked 10 lbs of crap out of the perverbial goose. Now, you gotta put the crap back in. Conference and put all the information on the table. Figure out who had the best angle and try to come together on the correct call. It should be the BU call - since the INT comes with a dead ball, runners would be placed at 1st and second and you are both likely to get a butt chewing from the DC. If the BU submits to the PU, you've got an out, the B/R at first and a butt chewing coming from the OC.

Someone is going to get an earful and, unfortunately, they are not going to care that you got the call correct. Another good reason to adhere to the prescribed mechanics and not have this issue become a reality.