Here's an excerpt from a post made by Jon Bible, an ex-professional and reknowned veteran college umpire, that he posted 5/6/02 at URC (a different forum):
A couple of years ago I banged the back end of a double play at first, with the first baseman stretching toward me (toward right field). As soon as I did, all hell broke loose and here came the first base and head coaches. Right there I had a small hint that something was not right. When I looked up and saw David Wiley at second base easing toward me, it was immediately apparent from his body language that he was coming not to get the troops off of me and make it a one-on-one, but instead to tell me something. So I immediately put my hands up and said "Wait a second. . . " and asked Wiley if the foot had come off the bag. He said, "only about two feet or so," so I immediately changed the call. The point is that Wiley did not jump right in yelling "his foot was off the bag," but instead created a situation in which I would know to ask for help and then do so. IMHO, that is the best way to handle judgment plays, unlike rule plays, where I continue to believe what I have already said earlier.
Getting help should not be a continued crutch for poor judgment and mechanics, but even the best of 'em can make mistakes and/or need help when an offline throw causes a poor angle. In fact, knowing he could seek that help when needed
might be why Jon is ranks amongst the best of 'em. He didn't stand around looking like an arrogant a$$ when all others knew the call was missed.
All major sets of rules have addressed the need for an umpire to get the call right instead of protecting his
perceived dignity.
There is no dignity in missing an obviously blown call or refusing to seek help when there is doubt in your mind regarding the accuracy of the call. While not all situations allow for help to be given or calls to be reversed, a pulled foot at 1B is a situation that frequently has no impact on further play since F3 is left holding the ball in the infield.
Just my opinion,
Freix