To Call Safe or Out?

[bniu]

if he's safe, he's safe. The one thing I tell fans when they ask me to let their team win: "Hey, I don't have that much influence on the game. Winning and losing is up to the players." If a fielder is that out of position to make the tag, he knows his technique needs fixing and he knows he's not getting the call. Make the proper call, it'll get you good cred with the players. You gain the players respect, your job will be a whole lot easier.

[MikeStrybel]

The expected call debate is one that always causes some sore feelings. For example, the curve ball that crosses above the knees and finishes just above the dirt. I know some who will advocate that it will always be a ball in their games because no one wants to see that pitch called a strike, nor expects it. A few brave souls will say it doesn't matter, it's a strike and they aren't there to appease fans and coaches or achieve higher ratings by ignoring the tough call.

[David B]

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

The expected call debate is one that always causes some sore feelings. For example, the curve ball that crosses above the knees and finishes just above the dirt. I know some who will advocate that it will always be a ball in their games because no one wants to see that pitch called a strike, nor expects it. A few brave souls will say it doesn't matter, it's a strike and they aren't there to appease fans and coaches or achieve higher ratings by ignoring the tough call.

good point and of course, all of this depends on the level of ball that you are calling also. "small ball" get every strike and out you can - players that shave and up, its a whole different approach that takes lots of time to develop.

Thanks
David

[GerryB]

Mike & Dave, both excellent points. Level and quality of play are huge factors and my own personal experience has been that as I advanced in ball I had to develop a feel for what the parameters were regarding this kind of call. "Ball there, glove there" is usually expected where I call if the play is routine.

But where's the line? As Dave said that's a development thing. Just this season I had a steal of third by R2. Ball was there but F5 was asleep and late. But from the first base defensive dugout I'm sure it looked out - I called safe. So I got a face full of "the ball was there" from the defensive HC. But you know what? In the seventh inning he came out and apologized; he talked to his F5 who admitted he was late. Of course, my partner after the game said "just call him out anyway, the ball was there..."

TV of course is changing all this and that is a whole different discussion we could have.

[MikeStrybel]

Originally Posted by David B

good point and of course, all of this depends on the level of ball that you are calling also. "small ball" get every strike and out you can - players that shave and up, its a whole different approach that takes lots of time to develop.

Thanks
David

Amen to that! My son plays 11U travel and he doesn't understand why strikes are called at the eyes or when the catcher has to dive to catch an outside pitch. At least he knows that as a player the umpire's call isn't worth arguing.

I am still amazed at how many times I see a varsity coach whine that the ball beat the runner on a tag play so he has to be out. "It's not a force, skipper." is my usual reply. I don't see much of that in collegiate ball around here because those guys know the plays will almost always be closer and better. Make the call and don't worry about appeasing those who expect a certain outcome. That is rating's pandering.

[jicecone]

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

The expected call debate is one that always causes some sore feelings. For example, the curve ball that crosses above the knees and finishes just above the dirt. I know some who will advocate that it will always be a ball in their games because no one wants to see that pitch called a strike, nor expects it. A few brave souls will say it doesn't matter, it's a strike and they aren't there to appease fans and coaches or achieve higher ratings by ignoring the tough call.

It is not applicable to all levels of play. If your day job is Umpiring and you CAN'T, quit it. Then you will call the "expected call" your supervisor tells you too. Else you have a lot more time on your hands to discuss baseball on the Forum.