Who's Got First?

[REFANDUMP]

I haven't chimed in on this conversation until now, but I've taken a great interest in it as I had a similar play two seasons ago and got into a real mess with it. Similar situation, defensive coach comes out and asks if the first baseman missed the bag or not. I was in B and didn't get the look at first that I should have so I had no problem checking with my partner. I asked my partner "Did the first baseman hit the base" and my partner says that he did so I rang up the out. Now the offensive coach comes to me and I explain that I didn't see the foot hit the base so I checked with my partner and he told me that the first baseman did hit the base and therefore we had an out. The coach objects stating that he my have hit the base on the second swipe, but in no way did he hit it on the first. I confirmed again with my partner, and he told me that he did get the base on the second swipe and not the first. Now I had to come back with another reversal and again ruled the runner safe. I now managed to piss off both coaches with one call (which is a rare accomplishment) and look like a complete idiot on the play.

I learned a valuable lesson on this occasion in that I'm now asking a partner only "what did you see" and not a specific question if I confer with them and also that going to your partner sometimes creates more problems than it solves. I like the earlier point about owning your own calls, and I think I'm going to look moreso at using that philosophy in the future.

[Simply The Best]

Originally Posted by REFANDUMP

I haven't chimed in on this conversation until now, but I've taken a great interest in it as I had a similar play two seasons ago and got into a real mess with it. Similar situation, defensive coach comes out and asks if the first baseman missed the bag or not.

The sit is similar to me but not to the rest of the forum. Their arguments would be since the DC has asked about the call then a) Screw him it's not his place or b) Time to conference. There may be c, d, e and f but to me it makes no difference. Get the call right.

I was in B and didn't get the look at first that I should have so I had no problem checking with my partner. I asked my partner "Did the first baseman hit the base" and my partner says that he did so I rang up the out. Now the offensive coach comes to me and I explain that I didn't see the foot hit the base so I checked with my partner and he told me that the first baseman did hit the base and therefore we had an out. The coach objects stating that he my have hit the base on the second swipe, but in no way did he hit it on the first. I confirmed again with my partner, and he told me that he did get the base on the second swipe and not the first. Now I had to come back with another reversal and again ruled the runner safe. I now managed to piss off both coaches with one call (which is a rare accomplishment) and look like a complete idiot on the play.

Sorry for that but so what? Did your life immeasurably change? Did you grow donkey ears and bray at the moon? Did your wife refuse sex for the remainder of your life? Nothing of any consequence happened. Nothing at all. MOF, after giving the coaches their say, you are in a perfect position to toss.

"Coach, you came out and wanted me to get the call right. We did exactly what you wanted. That will be all."

I learned a valuable lesson on this occasion in that I'm now asking a partner only "what did you see" and not a specific question if I confer with them...

In a conference, you and your partner can go over the entirety of the call, taking your time to discuss all the particulars. Including, in this case, if or if not the swipe made contact and when the swipe made contact which will lead you to gettting the call right.

... and also that going to your partner sometimes creates more problems than it solves.

No, it creates a different problem one you are ethically bound to solve. Get the call right. That's what you're paid to do, isn't it or do they pay you to call them anyway that suits your fancy?

I like the earlier point about owning your own calls, and I think I'm going to look moreso at using that philosophy in the future.

I don't know what that means but it sounds like a cop-out at first read.