Quote:
Originally posted by Rich Fronheiser
Friex: How many times are you going to cut-and-paste your tired argument here? How many times are you going to invoke Jon Bible's name and an obvious third world play to try to generalize it to our everyday situations?
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Rich, as long as the question keeps arising, I see no reason not to continue to post my answer. Others seem to answer......
As for your situation of the player asking you for an appeal, I wouldn't necessarily believe it's an everyday occurrene---as you seem to imply---simply because someone asked an umpire for an appeal. I think your response was good, but I also feel the defense should have followed up with your partner if they were serious about their appeal. They apparently chose not to or didn't know any better. That's their problem.
Still, I wouldn't feel annoyed. Would you have thought differently or reacted differently to their appeal if he had called the runner out while you saw the same 6" gap that was obvious from your angle? You might if you were the among the players on the short end of a bad call and the result could seriously effect being knocked out of this year's tourney. So much of it, Rich, may be perspective. Are you there to serve the umpire's dignity, or are you there to serve the players?
Even if they had asked your partner in that situation, it's still HIS decision to check you, and he shouldn't check his partner unless he had doubts regarding his call. But if he did have those doubts, what is so wrong in getting the call right? Would you have thought so poorly of him for getting the call right by seeking your help as opposed to blowing the call? Or would you be in the bar the next day talking about the ump you worked with yesterday that blew an obvious call during a big game? That happens also, Rich. While some mention names in such discussions, others do not. But pure and simple......umpires talk.
Some officials may argue that honoring an appeal will lead to further, repeated requests for appeal. Do
YOU think you could have handled that situation of repeated requests? I have confidence you could....so where is there a problem? The problem would be if you couldn't handle the repeated requests. I don't fear repeated, frivolous appeals, Rich, because I know I can handle them. Do you fear them, Rich?
I've addressed this issue in generality this summer with several HS coaches and a college coach. All agreed that they'd much rather have an umpire willing to seek help on an obviously blown call than one who won't---one who is from the old school of appearing as an arrogant a$$ and caring less about whether a call is correct or not. They agreed they'd rather see the official seek help on such blown calls even when it means they are on the short end of the call. They know they then have an official concerned about trying to get the calls right moreso than his perception of his personal godliness. They know that personal godliness may come back to haunt them later. They can live with playing the game fairly---including fair and accurate judgments.
While many officials on the net may advocate against it, we've seen calls reversed in the pros, we've seen it on our own fields (even if we were not the responsible official), and we can easily locate the rules and examples provided us by OBR, PBUC, NCAA, and Fed (and Jon Bible) that provide their position that when in certain instances of doubt that help should be sought. IMO, it seems the officials not seeking that help---when it could truly be useful---are a significant minority.
There is no dignity in maintaining an obviously blown call.
If you feel certain of the call, merely state that, state you feel no need to get help on something you feel certain of, and get on with the game.
But when you are in doubt, why not attempt to assure the call is correct? A discussion with your partner may serve to confirm that you, indeed, got it right to begin with......
Just my opinion,
Freix