pulled foot at 1st - getting help

[David Emerling]

Here's the situation I was in the other night in a HS game. I was the BU.

R2, less than 2 outs. I'm in position C. Grounder hit to F5. I stay mostly on the left side of the field because there are several possibilities that can occur over there. F5 spends a little too much time checking the runner and makes a rather hurried, last second throw to 1st. It's a poor throw that makes F3 stretch out quite a bit. Although close, the ball clearly beat the runner. But, from my perspective, it was nearly impossible to see if F3's foot was on the bag.

Before calling "Safe" or "Out", I immediately checked to see if the PU was in a position to see the play. He was. I immediately asked, "Did he pull his foot?" He gave me the signal that he DID - which I promptly followed up with "Safe" signal. The play was close and naturally there was the usual amount of grumbling. I immediately called "Time" to consult with my partner to make sure I understood him correctly since he only signaled me and did not verbalize his response. He assured me that he did, in fact, give the "off the bag" signal. I stuck with my call ... safe ... no big deal.

Later, after the game, as we were heading to the parking lot he seemed rather agitated about that play. "Never come to me from across the field like that again!"

"Huh?"

I tried to explain to him that I had a horrible position for that play and that I thought it was accepted to get help on the play.

"You gotta make that call," he said.

I told him that I *did* make the call. I ruled the batter-runner safe. I only asked him a Yes or No question ... *I* made the Safe/Out call.

I was always taught that on the rare occasions where you get a horrible view of a play like this, that the proper mechanic was::
- 1st make sure that the batter-runner didn't beat the throw. If he beat it, there's no point in determining whether F3 was on the bag or not.
- 2nd make sure that your partner was in position to see the play.
- Make no Safe or Out call.
- Immediately ask "Did he pull his foot?"
- He should simply answer "Yes" or "No"
- Call the batter-runner "Safe" or "Out" accordingly.

I was always taught that if you're going to get help, do it right away, before you make a call and before anybody asks. Don't make your call THEN get help. If you make a call ... stick with it ... and don't go to your partner just because the coach asks you to.

I always thought this mechanic was rather standard in a 2-man system. Agreed, it should be used sparingly - but it can happen.

My question is this: Is this just a perpetuated umpiring mechanic myth or is this a legitimate way of handling this situation? My partner was rather adamant that there is NO SUCH MECHANIC and resented being put in that position.

I checked around the internet and found countless articles addressing this mechanic.

I guess my question is simply this: Is this mechanic valid and accepted in the 2-man system?

Thanks!

David Emerling
Memphis, TN