Mechanic - BU needs help from PU at 1st

[bossman72]

This is what i learned at a clinic from a former minor league umpire:

1) If you're in A- you shouldn't go for help since you have a good enough angle to see a pulled foot or swipe tag yourself.

2) Know your PU. If he's the type of guy that won't give you information, and you go ask him, and you don't change your call, you BOTH look bad then if the call was fairly obvious.

But if your PU was in good position to see the pulled foot/swipe tag AND you know he'll give you information, go ahead and ask, but you really shouldn't.

[GarthB]

Add "adjust" to "pause, read and react" and you won't need to ask for help.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by newump

no runners on. ground ball to F6. throw pulls F3 off of the bag. he attempts a swipe tag of the BR. BU does not think he got a good look at the tag attempt. how should he go about asking for help? should he ask for help prior to making any call ? ie. BU makes no call and immediately points at PU and asks "do you have a tag?"
same thing for a pulled foot?
i've gotten some differing opinions.
i was also told by a veteran D1 umpire that BU should never ask for help on a pulled foot. only a swipe tag if necessary. i believe he is wrong and asking for help on either is acceptable. i know that BU should do his best to read a bad throw and attempt to adjust his position to get a better look at a tag or pulled foot situation, but i was under the impression that it is acceptable to ask for help in either of these situations.
thoughts? thanks.

A swipe tag happens because of a bad throw.

Too many umpires get a 90 degree angle and then don't bother reading the throw and adjusting to a bad throw.

Once you read a bad throw, step and lean to get the look you need.

[justanotherblue]

Just my penny's worth. Listen to OZZY!! He's got it right. Your talking TWO man mechanics with NO runners on. If your in the middle your WRONG. No discussion on that one. NO runner on, your in A period. Well no, I'm wrong there. If your older and can't run a 40 in 20 seconds flat, then work in the middle or seek out Little League not High School or D1 ball. Otherwise, you should be in A. Ozzy is right about working two steps in vs. the 90 theory. I was taught 90, experinece shows me two maybe three steps gives me a better angle on the pulled foot. The D1 guy as you put it, has experience you don't. If you don't want to learn, don't ask. If you ask, listen to what is said. Use your ability to reason and formulate an answer for yourself, if it is good or bad info. Add that to what you have READ, not HEARD. Just because someone has 20 years of Officiating, DOESN'T mean he is right. It just means he's been out there for 20 years. My guess, OZZY has been to school. Have you??

[newump]

thanks for all of the input. you guys are tough. my question did mention that i know you need to adjust to get a good look yourself.
when I said "i believe" the D1 ump is wrong i should have quoted the CCA manual which indicates that BU can go to PU for help on either a pulled foot or swipe tag. secondly, the PBUC manual indicates that BU should go for help to PU BEFORE making any call. this information is in direct contrast to the info the D1 ump told our group. again, i agree that BU should do everything possible to make the call himself. (the PBUC manual only discusses going for help on a swipe tag. it does not mention pulled foot)

secondly, i'm not that new - i'm in my 4th year of umping but this is my first year working college ball..