video says it all

[Mountaincoach]

Originally Posted by RKBUmp

No umpire has the authority to overturn another umpires call, nor should they ever seek to influence or change another umpires call without that umpire asking for assistance. Unless the calling umpire asked the plate umpire for assistance, the plate umpire needs to keep quiet. Even if the calling umpire does ask for additional information, the call is still theirs to keep or change.

Unfortunately, this philosophy will be the reason that umpire will be an internet/youtube sensation for the next few decades for all the wrong reasons, and those kids will remember that for the rest of their lives. I fully understand the philosophy, but it shouldn't be about the umpire creed or whatever of each umpire being their own "island". It should be about the kids and fair play. Officials in other sports help each other out, and we don't see as many of these viral videos that are destined to become legends for generations in their sports.

With regards to the whole blowout thing and trying to get out of there, I've been on both sides of that nightmare. I see probably why he did it, but, like said earlier, he chose the wrong opportunity to stop the bleeding.

[RKBUmp]

Originally Posted by Mountaincoach

Unfortunately, this philosophy will be the reason that umpire will be an internet/youtube sensation for the next few decades for all the wrong reasons, and those kids will remember that for the rest of their lives. I fully understand the philosophy, but it shouldn't be about the umpire creed or whatever of each umpire being their own "island". It should be about the kids and fair play. Officials in other sports help each other out, and we don't see as many of these viral videos that are destined to become legends for generations in their sports.

With regards to the whole blowout thing and trying to get out of there, I've been on both sides of that nightmare. I see probably why he did it, but, like said earlier, he chose the wrong opportunity to stop the bleeding.

It isn't any umpire Creed, it is written plain and simple in the rule book. It is a written rule, not some unwritten secret code. And even if they had gotten together and changed the call, this would still be all over the internet.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by RKBUmp

It isn't any umpire Creed, it is written plain and simple in the rule book. It is a written rule, not some unwritten secret code. And even if they had gotten together and changed the call, this would still be all over the internet.

Agreed...

And while this particular example might be extremely egregious ... people need to remember that when you saw something differently from your partner (however egregious) ... your partner saw something different from you. And you stick with the original call in cases like that because 99.9% of the time they had a better look, angle, or distance --- that's why the call in question is THEIR call.

[Mountaincoach]

Then the rule needs to be changed. Plain and simple. I know lots of umpires who hate that rule. It's a tradition that needs to stop and catch up with the times. And that umpire should talk to the kid in private someday and say "Hey look, I made a mistake." I also read that he talked mean to the kid and told her to get off the bag so they could continue the game.

[RKBUmp]

The rule is there for a reason.

What umpire would have jurisdiction to overrule another umpire? If you have 3 umpires does it become majority rule? In 2 umpire is it flip a coin?

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by Mountaincoach

Unfortunately, this philosophy will be the reason that umpire will be an internet/youtube sensation for the next few decades for all the wrong reasons, and those kids will remember that for the rest of their lives. I fully understand the philosophy, but it shouldn't be about the umpire creed or whatever of each umpire being their own "island". It should be about the kids and fair play. Officials in other sports help each other out, and we don't see as many of these viral videos that are destined to become legends for generations in their sports.

But, here's the deal; it's not a philosophy, it's paraphrasing a rule, in every rule book that I have ever seen.

In USA/ASA it's 10.3-B
In NFHS, it's 10-1-4
In NCAA, it's 15.2.8

If the other umpire attempts to interfere or "overrule" the umpire that makes the call, without being asked by the calling umpire, the OTHER team has absolute grounds for a protest that HAS to be upheld.

There are situations where any reasonable umpire would confer with his partner; there are simply times when it cannot properly happen without potentially destroying the integrity of the game. "about the kids and fair play" is EXACTLY why every judgment call should not be subject to oversight with the potential abuse that could come along with that.

The game, as played by human beings, includes errors of commission, omission, and judgment, by players and coaches. Those well meaning individuals espousing the "get it right" philosophy only want it right when 1) it is in their favor to change the call (well, unless the outcome is fully predetermined), and 2) never suggest that anyone consider replaying a pitch/play/out to correct the errors by players and/or coaches. Why are only umpire errors a matter of the "the kids and fair play" philosophy?

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

...there are simply times when it cannot properly happen without potentially destroying the integrity of the game. "about the kids and fair play" is EXACTLY why every judgment call should not be subject to oversight with the potential abuse that could come along with that.

Unfortunately, that philosophy is slowly working its way out of the sport. The use of video replay to get judgment calls corrected is prevalent in professional baseball, as well as college baseball. I'm not suggesting that video reviews will trickle down to youth sports, but the prevailing attitude is that an umpire's judgment call is no longer as absolute as it was in the past. Fans see how a banger call at first base or a close tag play at second are being challenged by managers, and they think it's high time that those same calls at lower levels should not be subjected to some kind of discussion.

Will the rules change to make all judgment calls "umpiring by committee" decisions where video is not available? Who knows. Us old veterans don't want that to happen, but as we move on, it would not surprise me if changes are made.