Quote:
Originally posted by wobster
First off, I am relatively new to umpiring, only been doing it for 3 or so years. I do mostly little league at one diamond, but have done some 1/2 pint (10-13 years old, really good players for that age) games. My question is this. How certain do you have to be to over-rule your BU's call. There have been many where I thought the BU was wrong, and the stands exploded, but I wasn't totally sure he was wrong, so I let the call stand. I usually get some comments after the game that I should have over-ruled him, but I am 75 feet away and he is 5. I would have a hard time justifying it unless I was 100% sure.
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May I acquaint you with the following from the
Official Baseball Rules:
9.02(c)
...No umpire shall criticize, seek to reverse or interfere with another umpire's decision unless asked to do so by the umpire making it.
It doesn't get any more black and white than that. You can pre-arrange an "
I can help" signal, as some associations and crews do - ours is arms folded across the chest - or you can put yourself in reasonable proximity to any discussion and try to let your partner know by body language that you might have some input to offer. Other than that, you can do NOTHING unless asked by your partner for help.
The only time you may legally overrule a partner is under OBR 9.04(c), when two umpires with joint jurisdiction make different decisions on the same play. Then, IF you are the UIC or designated Crew Chief, you may decide which umpire had the best chance of making the correct call and overrule the other.
Hope this helps
Cheers