Around the Horn

[Skarecrow]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

You didn't feel it was right but had no specific knowledge at the time. So why did you warn them? What basis did you use?

This is not ridicule but here is another example of umpires making up rules. This is what gets us into trouble, all the time. We are there to officiate by the rules as written in the rule book. We do not officiate by our feelings.

Ozzy: Thanks for the critique...but I wasn't making up the rules....I quickly responded to my gut reaction (which was wrong) and told them to bring the ball in...Now I've learned, so shoot me in the head....baseball plays have lots of situations filled with nuances....our judgement differs. You can't tell me you've never had a gray-area play where the nuance had you puzzled, and yet you had to make a decision immediately, only to find out later, you got it wrong--even if only barely. That's what I did...I got it wrong, after rethinking all the rules I felt applied here...I didn't make up a rule....

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by Skarecrow

Ozzy: Thanks for the critique...but I wasn't making up the rules....I quickly responded to my gut reaction (which was wrong) and told them to bring the ball in...Now I've learned, so shoot me in the head....baseball plays have lots of situations filled with nuances....our judgement differs. You can't tell me you've never had a gray-area play where the nuance had you puzzled, and yet you had to make a decision immediately, only to find out later, you got it wrong--even if only barely. That's what I did...I got it wrong, after rethinking all the rules I felt applied here...I didn't make up a rule....

The correct response here, my friend, is:
I learned my lesson, I was incorrect, I will not make up rules again.

Please be aware, when as an umpire, you try to apply a penalty that is not based in a rule, you are "making it up as you go". This is something that hounds all of us because when we get the next game with this team, they want to know why you did what you did. Why aren't we applying the same rule when the other team does it to them? When you "make it up", you are really screwing your brother and sister officials who work by the book. Making a mistake is something we all learn by but don't try to BS your way out. You screwed the pooch - we all did at one time or another. Be a man and admit it, then move on.

Finis

[Skarecrow]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

The correct response here, my friend, is:
I learned my lesson, I was in correct, I will not make up rules again.

Please be aware, when as an umpire, you try to apply a penalty that is not based in a rule, you are "making it up as you go". This is something that hounds all of us because when we get the next game with this team, they want to know why you did what you did. Why aren't we applying the same rule when the other team does it to them? When you "make it up", you are really screwing your brother and sister officials who work by the book. Making a mistake is something we all learn by but don't try to BS your way out. You screwed the pooch - we all did at one time or another. Be a man and admit it, then move on.

Finis

I have.

[jicecone]

Skarecrow, I was going to offer the same advise when you first made your thread but didn't want to come off sounding like a mother hen. Now that Ozzy has opened the door and you have tripped over the first step may I just suggest to you that you spend more time reading both the rules and case books.

We have all been there however, you would be surprised how few "nuances" actually exist with a thorugh understanding of the rules. There are a few wrinkles here and there but, for the most part things are fairly black and white.

Welcome to the Forum and good luck.