Perception or Reality

[BSUmp16]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

No matter which way you call it, 50% of those present are going to dislike it.

Therefore go with the truth.

Actually, that's not the way it will play out. If I call him safe everyone's going to think I kicked it. It's not like calling a banger where it's a really a close call - There, 50% will hate it and 50% will love it. This one appears to be not close at all. 50% will think I don't know my a** from a hole in the ground and the other 50% will think they got a lucky break from a bad call.

[yawetag]

Originally Posted by BSUmp16

If I call him safe everyone's going to think I kicked it. It's not like calling a banger where it's a really a close call - There, 50% will hate it and 50% will love it.

Who gives a flying f**k how many people will be happy or think you kicked it? Call what you see.

Umpiring isn't a democratic election.

[ozzy6900]

Maybe next time, you say "SAFE! NO TAG!" or "SAFE! MISSED THE TAG!" that might help. It's similar to when F3 comes off the base, we say, "SAFE! Off the bag!".

Just a thought.

[jicecone]

Originally Posted by yawetag

Who gives a flying f**k how many people will be happy or think you kicked it? Call what you see.

Umpiring isn't a democratic election.

If your a politician or media bimbo you would probably take a poll.

If your gonna be an umpire, take Yawetag's advise.

[rcaverly]

Originally Posted by BSUmp16

Here’s the sitch: So here’s the question: Which is more important: perception or reality? I know what I did - What would you do?

Originally Posted by BSUmp16

50% will think I don't know my a** from a hole in the ground and the other 50% will think they got a lucky break from a bad call.

My perception of the OP is you want to know how others might think of you, which you suspect may conflict with how you think of yourself, which is your ego.

My perception is taken from the fact that you didn’t give your ruling in the OP; you want others to respond first. I suspect that is what you wanted to happen during the game before you made your call. Also, you have “boxed yourself in” to a lose-lose scenario by yourself perceiving that there are two, and only two, outcomes in which others would respond, both being detrimental to your ego:
1. “50% will think [you] don't know [your] a** from a hole in the ground; and,
2. “[T]he other 50% will think they got a lucky break from a bad call.”

As yawetag and customshirts advise and encourage, officials should call the game in a way that they will get what it is they want out of the game.
1. More games, then call it the way your assignor says;
2. Happy fans on the 3d base side, then call it the way the home team says;
3. Happy fans on the 1st base side, then call it the way the visitors say;
4. Happy defense, then the BR is out;
5. Happy offense, then the BR is safe;
6. Happy play-by-play announcers, then the way the replay camera operators have it;
7. Happy color commentators; forget about it, they think it’s our fault that they’re not still out there;
8. Good night’s sleep, then call it your way.