Asking for help???

[bisonpitcher]

In a game this weekend, R3 on with 1 out 2 man crew. Ground ball to Short, the throw is slightly up the line, enough for the F3 to stretch for, and the ball is caught for the out. The first baseman stretched directly toward me in C. I saw no seperation from the base so I called the BR out. The Runner scored and I jogged back to A. When I got near the 1st base coach, he asked if I would check to home for a pulled foot. Since I was somewhat straightlined on the play, I said OK and approached my partner (whom i hadnt worked with before) and asked him if he had a foot on the bag. Instead of just saying yes or no, he proceeds to YELL "I cant see that from here." Then the fans let us have it. They werent even complaining about whether the foot was pulled until then. So I stuck with the out call, then after the game my partner says, "He did pull the foot just a little bit, but I wasnt going to call it since i am supposed to watch the runner cross home." I told him that if I had absolutely no doubt in my mind that his foot stayed on the bag, that i wouldn't have granted the appeal, that the most important thing was to get it right. He simply stated that he didnt want to make me look bad by overturning the call, I told him that we looked WORSE by him yelling that he couldn't see in front of the coaches and fans. How would you guys have handled this situation???

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by bisonpitcher

In a game this weekend, R3 on with 1 out 2 man crew. Ground ball to Short, the throw is slightly up the line, enough for the F3 to stretch for, and the ball is caught for the out. The first baseman stretched directly toward me in C. I saw no seperation from the base so I called the BR out. The Runner scored and I jogged back to A. When I got near the 1st base coach, he asked if I would check to home for a pulled foot. Since I was somewhat straightlined on the play, I said OK and approached my partner (whom i hadnt worked with before) and asked him if he had a foot on the bag. Instead of just saying yes or no, he proceeds to YELL "I cant see that from here." Then the fans let us have it. They werent even complaining about whether the foot was pulled until then. So I stuck with the out call, then after the game my partner says, "He did pull the foot just a little bit, but I wasnt going to call it since i am supposed to watch the runner cross home." I told him that if I had absolutely no doubt in my mind that his foot stayed on the bag, that i wouldn't have granted the appeal, that the most important thing was to get it right. He simply stated that he didnt want to make me look bad by overturning the call, I told him that we looked WORSE by him yelling that he couldn't see in front of the coaches and fans. How would you guys have handled this situation???

For this particular instance:

"Get some help"

No need, he's out.

Next time, make the adjustment so you aren't straightlined.

[bisonpitcher]

As far as being straightlined, I moved in toward the mound to get an angle but the F3 stretched directly at me at the last moment, after i had set, front leg and body obscuring the view of most of his foot on the bag. The coach asked me in a civil tone if i would ask the HP umpire if he saw a pulled foot. I dont have a problem asking for help if I am not 100 percent sure of something.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by bisonpitcher

As far as being straightlined, I moved in toward the mound to get an angle but the F3 stretched directly at me at the last moment, after i had set, front leg and body obscuring the view of most of his foot on the bag. The coach asked me in a civil tone if i would ask the HP umpire if he saw a pulled foot. I dont have a problem asking for help if I am not 100 percent sure of something.

Are you listening to what Garth said or just making excuses?

Again, there's no reason to be straightlined on this. Move towards the 45 foot line and get the right angle. And when the coach asks, follow Garth's advice.

Or, if you prefer to get thrown under the bus......

BTW, which coach? did you ask the plate umpire cause the first base (read: assistant coach) asked you?

[bisonpitcher]

Not trying to make excuse, I did go toward the 45 foot line, all the way to the dirt of the mound, but the first basemans late stretch blocked me. I guessed blocked by the first basemans leg and body is a better word than straightlined. And yes, this was the first base coach, and no I usually will not grant an appeal by the asst. but in this instance, I granted the appeal because I did get blocked. I wanted to just make sure we got the call right. I guess I shouldnt have granted the appeal, but isnt getting it right the most important thing?

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by bisonpitcher

Not trying to make excuse, I did go toward the 45 foot line, all the way to the dirt of the mound, but the first basemans late stretch blocked me. I guessed blocked by the first basemans leg and body is a better word than straightlined. And yes, this was the first base coach, and no I usually will not grant an appeal by the asst. but in this instance, I granted the appeal because I did get blocked. I wanted to just make sure we got the call right. I guess I shouldnt have granted the appeal, but isnt getting it right the most important thing?

Getting the call right is important, but that doesn't mean you have to go to a partner. It should mean that YOU get your call right.

If you weren't sure, why did you make the call?

If you weren't sure and you wanted to get help, you should have done that before making a call.

Allow action to play out, call time and consult with your partner, without yelling across the diamond. Take what information he gives you, consider it, and make your call.

I'm always convinced of my call. That doesn't mean that I'm right 100% of the time. It means I'm confident I'm correct when I make my call. If I didn't work that way, I wouldn't umpire. I can't imagine making a call I didn't think to be correct.

When you learn not to read the play and throw, and not set until you're sure of a quality throw, and to adjust when you don't have a quality thrown, you will not get straightlined.

[David B]

[QUOTE=bisonpitcher] Instead of just saying yes or no, he proceeds to YELL "I cant see that from here." /QUOTE]

idiot partner! Never yell anything about a call. If you have something to discuss do it in private.

Thanks
DAvid