Did I blow the call?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by David Emerling

1. If the nature of the blown call is such that the bell can be unrung, so to speak, he should do so. Yes, yes, yes - I'm aware of the "sacred" laundry list of calls that can't be changed. But that list is only a "thumbrule". As a practical matter, an umpire should always try to find a way to rectify a manifest unfairness.

I just saw an excellent example of this in one of my sons' summer JV games. With the bases loaded and the pitcher in the windup position, he quickly made a move toward 1st and failed to make a throw. The PU immediately called it a balk. Quite frankly, from my perspective, I may have also called this a balk. The other team complained, "But he stepped off!" The PU quickly asked the BU if the pitcher had stepped off to which the BU confirmed that the pitcher had. The PU changed his call and sent the runners back. No big deal and everybody was happy.

Funny, this happened in one of my regional games this year. PU called it a balk, and after some prodding, came and asked me if the pitcher had disengaged. I told him he had, and the PU unrung the bell.

Unlike your game, though, I ended up ejecting the first base coach over it. C'est la vie.