Umpire Protocol

[WestMichBlue]

Standard protocol says that we do not discuss (nor get involved with) our partnerÂ’s call, unless requested by partner. We also have a responsibility to insure that the game is called fairly and that both teams have an equal opportunity to win. What do you do when these objectives are in conflict because a partner has made a mistake and refuses to ask for help?

For discussion purposes, let’s say game tied, bottom of 6th, R1 on 3B, 1 out. You are BU. B1 swings, hits F2’s glove, ball dribbles off bat into foul territory. PU has arm out to side, then announces “Dead ball, obstruction on catcher, batter is awarded 1st base, and runners move up.”

So R1 is waved home with go-ahead run and defensive coach is all over PU. Claims that R1 can’t go home, asks him to talk to partner. PU holds his ground; calmly says that he knows the rules, and thus there is no reason to discuss this with anyone else. Meantime you have another coach and players surrounding you asking for your opinion. You correctly state, “Not my call Coach, you have to talk to the PU” as you attempt to walk away.

What do you do?

WMB