Get it Right --- The 1st Time!

[Manny A]

On the other hand, too often people criticize umpires for NOT getting together to fix a call. Remember the backlash when Jim Joyce stuck to his guns last year?

Pro umpires miss calls, plain and simple. And with all the HD cameras and super slo-mo capabilities in today's game, they're probably more reluctant than in the past to not check with their partners and then learn on SportsCenter later that they blew it when they could have fixed it.

Who knows, maybe they're conducting more "board meetings" to counter the argument that more use of replay is needed in the game. After all, if they eventually get the call right after the pow-wow, they're showing that there's no need to check the video.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Manny A

On the other hand, too often people criticize umpires for NOT getting together to fix a call. Remember the backlash when Jim Joyce stuck to his guns last year?

Is there any evidence that anyone saw something clearly different? If the backlash is from ignorance, then honestly who cares what folks had to say about that call.

Originally Posted by Manny A

Pro umpires miss calls, plain and simple. And with all the HD cameras and super slo-mo capabilities in today's game, they're probably more reluctant than in the past to not check with their partners and then learn on SportsCenter later that they blew it when they could have fixed it.

Who knows, maybe they're conducting more "board meetings" to counter the argument that more use of replay is needed in the game. After all, if they eventually get the call right after the pow-wow, they're showing that there's no need to check the video.

This is probably true, but it has filtered down to levels that have none of this. We have two man systems where coaches ask help from a partner on a play where they have other responsibilities. That is the part where I have a problem with this. The MLB has 4 umpires and most of us will never work a game with that many on the field in our career even if it is by accident. And even when they do this, they get a lot of plays wrong. Or it is so inconclusive that was the change even worth it in the first place.

Peace

[rbmartin]

I don't think any umpire is thinking "Well, I'll make a quick call and if I screw it up my partner will bail me out." I'm sure this umpire in the above play thought he initially got it right. His movement with the play obviously could have been better.

Ultimately, they got it right without spending a lot of time doing so. Absent the managers argument, this took less than 30 seconds. No problem.

[CT1]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

The MLB has 4 umpires and most of us will never work a game with that many on the field in our career even if it is by accident. And even when they do this, they get a lot of plays wrong.

Percentage-wise, they do NOT get "a lot" of plays wrong. It's just that the ones they do miss are highly visible.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by CT1

Percentage-wise, they do NOT get "a lot" of plays wrong. It's just that the ones they do miss are highly visible.

I simply disagree. I remember a play that was overturned from a 1st Base Umpire on a play that was taking place at 3rd base. And there was no video to back them up. Now when I say they miss plays they overturn, I mean they do not have any evidence that they got it right. So if you cannot determine by angle that a play was right or wrong, then it is wrong to overturn IMO a judgment call. And once again, this silly thinking that everything needs a conference is what I have a problem with, not that you get obvious mistakes corrected. As the OP said, get it right the first time. And if guys cannot get it right the first time, then get someone else that will.

Peace

[jicecone]

Give me a break here. It is so easy to watch a video and play God. Hell, we can be perfect almost, ALWAYS. U2 got blocked out. Not because he wasn't hustling but, because he got blocked out. What was he supposed to do, use his super-speed and go to 2BX and see the tag. Get real.

If you have never been blocked out, (this doesn't apply to Rut because he's perfect, always), then you don't do many games a year and you just aren't that good. So this doesn't apply to you. If you can't see the play do you call the runner out? No. Do you yell out "does anyone have a tag"? No. How about "Lets go to the video tape"? Hell no!

Whats your options after that besides thinking that the guys on the Officiating.com forum, aren't going to like this.

WHAT Are Your OPTIONS?

**iT Happens Gentlemen!

And if this is your Day job, chances are your going to see more **it then the professionals, on this forum.

Could have, Should have and Would have, aren't making the call for you here. So where does that leave you? Have a huddle? Call a friend? Eat the call?

I can't do that because the forum won't like it.

MLB pays these gentlemen to do what they want done, to get the call correct.

Discussions are good but, get over it, smell the coffee and see how you handle it in your next Pro game.

[JRutledge]

Yes you have to be perfect to question the ability of MLB umpires who in my opinion are the worst of all the major pro sports officials. Sorry, but every play does not need a conference and if it does it is time to find new people if they cannot get in position to make a basic call that is easy in 2 person mechanics. These guys have 4 guys and cannot get basic plays right. Sorry, that does not make me perfect to point that out. Stop being a baby because someone takes a point of view in opposition to your position.

Peace

[jicecone]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Yes you have to be perfect to question the ability of MLB umpires who in my opinion are the worst of all the major pro sports officials. Sorry, but every play does not need a conference and if it does it is time to find new people if they cannot get in position to make a basic call that is easy in 2 person mechanics. These guys have 4 guys and cannot get basic plays right. Sorry, that does not make me perfect to point that out. Stop being a baby because someone takes a point of view in opposition to your position.

Peace

I, can't understand why the almighty, ever-knowing, worlds best, all around AMATEUR OFFICIAL would take time from his throne to even participate with the peasants of officiating in discussion. Maybe you should just pontificate daily on the forum and we can all be blessed and gracious for your words of knowledge being bestowed upon us.

Besides you usual pompus Bullcrap, what are your options when all else goes bad, allmighty official? When you find yourself in that situation, (theoritically of course), what advise do you give to the rookie to rectify it? Take out your ipad and email Rut? 50,0000+ fans waiting for a call, **it happens and What is the almighty going to do??

If you don't like my opinon, go back to the Basketball Forum, I am sure they are all huddled around their computers waiting for you to honor them with your knowledge.

[Eastshire]

Originally Posted by jicecone

Give me a break here. It is so easy to watch a video and play God. Hell, we can be perfect almost, ALWAYS. U2 got blocked out. Not because he wasn't hustling but, because he got blocked out. What was he supposed to do, use his super-speed and go to 2BX and see the tag. Get real.

If you have never been blocked out, (this doesn't apply to Rut because he's perfect, always), then you don't do many games a year and you just aren't that good. So this doesn't apply to you. If you can't see the play do you call the runner out? No. Do you yell out "does anyone have a tag"? No. How about "Lets go to the video tape"? Hell no!

Whats your options after that besides thinking that the guys on the Officiating.com forum, aren't going to like this.

WHAT Are Your OPTIONS?

**iT Happens Gentlemen!

And if this is your Day job, chances are your going to see more **it then the professionals, on this forum.

Could have, Should have and Would have, aren't making the call for you here. So where does that leave you? Have a huddle? Call a friend? Eat the call?

I can't do that because the forum won't like it.

MLB pays these gentlemen to do what they want done, to get the call correct.

Discussions are good but, get over it, smell the coffee and see how you handle it in your next Pro game.

He got blocked out because he wasn't hustling.

[Dakota]

PMFBI, but this COULD be what happened, right?

• U2 was screened on the call and made the best call he could (safe).
• Manager goes out to talk with U2, suggests perhaps he was screened, and asks if he will check with the other members of the crew
• U2, knowing he WAS screened, does just that
• The umpires meet and determine that the runner was indeed out
• The correct call is then made

If this is what happened, why is this not what should have happened? (I mean other than U2 not getting screened in the first place). Isn't this when an umpire conference is appropriate?

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

He got blocked out because he wasn't hustling.

Amen. He was using 1 man mechanics all of a sudden and staying between the play and the other base it might go back to. He forgot he had a partner at 3rd and let himself get blocked out.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Is there any evidence that anyone saw something clearly different? If the backlash is from ignorance, then honestly who cares what folks had to say about that call.



This is probably true, but it has filtered down to levels that have none of this. We have two man systems where coaches ask help from a partner on a play where they have other responsibilities. That is the part where I have a problem with this. The MLB has 4 umpires and most of us will never work a game with that many on the field in our career even if it is by accident. And even when they do this, they get a lot of plays wrong. Or it is so inconclusive that was the change even worth it in the first place.

Peace

Easy solution. Say "No, that's my call and I've made it." The coach may not be happy, but who cares? Somebody's always going to be unhappy.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Easy solution. Say "No, that's my call and I've made it." The coach may not be happy, but who cares? Somebody's always going to be unhappy.

I do this all the time. It works for me, but unfortunately we deal with other umpires that insist that we must make them happy. Not sure where this came from or why we try to make someone happy. Coaches have an agenda and they will ask everyone if they think it will get a chance and do not realize that we are all not watching the same things. I have no problem with help on legitimate situations, especially with fewer umpires on the field and we are in really silly angles to make calls. But not on plays where we have only minimal responsibilities.

Peace