Two-ump question - check swing

[ctblu40]

Originally Posted by PWL

Just to be brutally honest, I don't care if he called it a strike or not. He simply needs to learn his mechanics and rotations, of which he missed several in the games I worked with him. I tried to explain to him and to help him learn, but it was all for naught. I would tell him something and the next time the same situation came up he would miss it. He even called a balk on a pitcher for taking his signs after he came to his stop in the set position. I'm sure in time he'll find his own way under the bus.

Since you weren't there, don't be so quick to judge. Yeah, it's my fault he can't learn or listen.

It's hard to not be quick to judge when you said you knew the batter offered and called the pitch a ball, then checked with your partner just to see if he would screw the pooch (which it sounds like he did). I'm not saying that you need to be patient with him and keep teaching. If he's as weak an umpire as you describe, he'll find trouble on his own easy enough, why help him find said trouble?

I never said it was your fault he couldn't learn and listen, believe me when I say I've worked with plenty of guys just like him. But it seems to me that you were intentionally setting him up for failure. Aside from reveling in the misfortunes of others, I don't understand how or why you would intentionally miss a call of your own to see if he would get his right. Makes no sense to me.