Quote:
Originally posted by refman
Warren....why do you keep insisting that we're dealing with "judgement" on this 5-page post? I repeat an earlier post that the judgement part of this call is made by ruling out/safe. Judgement is the criteria in all out/safe calls. The pulled foot is simply a frequent occurance that often requires the help of the plate umpire to confirm or deny such an occurance. It's usually noticed by the first base coach and he's generally the one to request you ask for help. Why make this such a tough situation?
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A frequent occurrence that often requires the help of the plate umpire?
I've asked for help on a play at first base once in the last ten seasons. It was at the MSBL World Series in Phoenix and Dave Hensley was my partner. The play was a 3-1 play where the second baseman ran right in front of me as a tag attempt was made. It was such an unusual play I remember it well.
That's it. I've been ASKED to "get help" more than that, but when I've gotten a good angle and make a call I don't understand WHY I should get help. It's my job to make that call and I make it.
The thing I don't understand in this whole discussion is that umpires seem to be making calls and THEN getting help from their partners. For me to make an out call, shouldn't I be in a position to see F3's foot on the base and then determine that the throw beat the runner? If I'm clearly screened or think that I might be missing something, wouldn't I go to my partner FIRST?
I've gotten grief for "not getting help." One time I had a manager come all the way to right field to "discuss" a play at first base after an inning ending double play where he thought (from the 3rd base coaching box, of course) that F3 pulled his foot. I refused to get help. I explained to the coach that I was doing my job and I saw the foot on the base.
In the next few innings I had more pulled feet, swipe tag plays, and other squirrels happen than I've ever had in a game before or since. I made every call with confidence and not once did a manager come out of the dugout or even question the calls. I was a new umpire in the area, I made it clear that I was going to get my own calls, and that was that. Had I gone to my partner on the first play to appease the coach and keep him from following me to right field I firmly believe that they would've been asking me to get help the rest of the game.
Mr. Freix calls that "fear." I call that game management. Letting the teams know that judgement decisions are final and that they can't look around for an sympathetic ear (umpire) every time there is a disagreement is a good thing, in my opinion.
This "attitude" has served me well for the past 15 years and Steve's has served him well or he wouldn't be arguing his side so fervently. It's time to A2D, move on, and argue something else.
Rich