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It is rare for baseball umpires to go for help when they are right on top of a play. The discussions usually happen when an umpire has to make a long-distance call, such as on a home-run.
Most MLB managers know that's the case. Remember when Joyce blew the call on Galarraga's perfect game? You didn't see Leyland yell at him to get help. All he did was berate him for blowing the call.
It has nothing to do with ego. It's all about taking sole responsibility for certain situations, which has been ingrained in these guys from when the started umpiring. You open the door by going for help once, you'll subject yourself to repeated demands to check with your partner(s). That's more disruptive to the game.
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"Let's face it. Umpiring is not an easy or happy way to make a living. In the abuse they suffer, and the pay they get for it, you see an imbalance that can only be explained by their need to stay close to a game they can't resist." -- Bob Uecker
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