Missed a call. What would you have done?

[Bfair]

David, the greatest difficulty an umpire faces in this situation is the effect of his call on continuing play. When a basketball goes out of play, play stops and the officials can conference if unsure of whom should get possession. When a call is needed at 1B, it must be made---even if doubt exists. The call itself does not kill further play as it does in basketball. There is potential for continuing play following that call that is based on the decision of the original call. Thus, changing that original call becomes difficult.

Still, there are many times when that original call can be changed since it did not effect any ensuing play. IMO, those calls are candidates for correction, are the majority of calls missed at 1B due to a pulled foot or a swipe tag (no ensuing play develops), are a result of weaknesses in the 2-man system, and are directed to be corrected by the rulesmakers when known to be obviously wrong. Unfortunately too many officials who could correct an obviously blown call won't because of fear of loss of dignity. IMO, more dignity is lost in showing arrogance of maintaining a poor call when most (including your partner) know the call is wrong vs. gaining the needed information to correct the call when it can be done and had no effect on other play.

The age of arrogance among officials is disappearing.
The rulesmakers want the best effort made to get the call correct when the situation allows for an obviously blown call to be corrected. Sport changes, and with it so does officiating. Don't drive a Model T all your life or you'll be left in the dust of newer, better models.


Just my opinion,

Freix