what's up with Div. 1 umps

[Justme]

Originally Posted by dokeeffe

The "get it right" argument is going to lead to more issues than a whore in church.

Depends on what the whore is doing in the church

Like it or not the "get it right" argument is becoming the recommended (sometimes required) way of doing things. This year our local HS association was preaching this so it is filtering down from the higher levels.

While I both like/dislike this approach I worry that it will become a crutch for the "weaker" umpires by not requiring them to work as hard and improve. It might also cause some of us old guys to get lazy since we can meet in the middle and vote on the call. Bottom line remains as it has always been "hustle, get into position and make your own calls". Go for help only IF you didn't do your job and aren't sure of yourself, not just to make a coach happy.

It gets on my nerves when my partner(s) come to me for help numerous times during a game, especially working 2-man. I'll tell them, "Look, you've got to get into position to make those calls, it's basic umpiring." I also give them what I've got and watch what they do next. I've even told them that I wouldn't change a particular call because the $hit will hit the fan (some calls are best left unchanged).

Originally Posted by dokeeffe

There are going to be days when even the best of us make a call of "out" at first and one split second later realize he was actually safe. Same thing for a third strike call that has an impact. If those have never happened to you, you haven't been on the field long. I hope no one thinks we should reverse ourselves in those situations.

Nope, some calls you can't change. But if an umpire is making calls that he/she isn't sure of a split second later, maybe, they should wait 2 split seconds later before making the call, just to make sure. Sounds like they might have a timing issue.