[Jim Porter]

I'm not against communicating with one's partner. I'm not against post-game discussions. I'm not against learning to improve.

But I am against the mindset that believes something is wrong with an umpire, his abilities, or his knowledge if he feels it is necessary to go to his partner, using the prescribed mechanics, for help on a pulled foot at first. There is nothing, "wrong," with his mechanics. There is no area that needs improvement. Anyone who believes there is just might be living in the past. The game isn't officiated that way anymore.

Now, the participants, the spectators, the league administrators - the people who pay us our game fees - are pretty much demanding nowadays that us umpires do everything we can to remove all doubt about our calls, including changing our calls when possible and proper, as well as going to our partners when the mechanics allow.

Now, I keep hearing from those on the other side of this argument about how the sky will fall if we go to our partners, and the next thing we know the coach will be out
there every five minutes, etc. However, I sit in a position of great insight. I have used the aforementioned mechanic on numerous occasions. I can tell you that, when done properly, it looks crisp, clean, and extraordinarily professional. It is a delight to your employers, and there simply isn't a reason on God's green Earth not to use it.