When to ask for help

DaveASA/FED · #1 (**permalink**) Thu Apr 15, 2004, 08:48am

Had a JV game the other night I was FU (Field Ump no not you Fred) I was in D slot with a runner on 3rd. After SS fields the ball I bust it across the diamond and see 1st stretch for the ball and make the catch about 2 steps prior to BR crossing 1st. I looked at her foot and it looked to me like the ball of her foot was securly against the base so I rang up the 3rd out of the inning. 1st basecoach says under her breath "come on her foot was off". And I hear 3rd base coach say, "you got to help us with that one blue." I am not sure if she was talking to the PU or me. But this brings me to my whole point of this post. When do you ask for help from your partner? How I feel is that both of their comments were more complaining, which I don't "hear" as long as it is low key and short I let it go and don't pay any attention to it. If either of them would have said "I think she pulled her foot would you ask for help from PU?" I would have gone to him no problem, but for me I thought I had a good look at it and had little question in my mind that she was on so I made the call and unless they specifically as me to ask for help I am not going to, unless I am unsure like the next 1/2 inning there was an attempt tag on the back side as the runner came toward 1st, I could not see so I asked PU on my own if he saw a tag. Now again the point, after that 1/2 inning PU and I were talking and he said from where he was he would have called her safe as he could see light between her foot and the base. So now I am asking should I go for help if coach says something about a pulled foot even if they don't specifically ask me to?? I am 100% about getting the correct call and I hate that I missed this one (I know it happens but if it is avoidable I want to avoid it!)

WestMichBlue · #2 (**permalink**) Thu Apr 15, 2004, 09:28am

See the play, review it in your mind and if you are 100 percent positive that you have it right, make the call.

If, however, you have any doubt, then hold off on the call and ask for help. Point to partner and yell "Did she pull?" or just "Pull?" His/her response is either "yes" or "No" and then YOU make the call.

By the two of you working together to make the call, you have taken the coaches out of the play.

WMB

mick · #3 (**permalink**) Thu Apr 15, 2004, 09:49am

I generally pre-game that when I am on the left side, I may be coming to the Plate ump for help.

Where is "D" in the two ump system? (I don't get out much)
mick

Steve M · #4 (**permalink**) Thu Apr 15, 2004, 10:51am

Dave,
I may have asked that coach "Coach, are you asking that I check with my partner about a pulled foot?" If the answer is yes, I'll check. If the answer is no, that's enough whining.

The proper softball mechanic is that you check before making the call - if you have any doubt. If you have no doubt, make the call.

chuck chopper · #5 (**permalink**) Thu Apr 15, 2004, 12:08pm

If I was your plate umpire buddy that night, right after you made the call I would had continued to look straight at you, so if you were wondering if I was looking, that was my way of saying "come to me". If I turn my back to you, thats the way I say "you got it right", so if you do come to me..I will make the same call.
These are communication things that take place before the game between the Umps.

buddha69 · #6 (**permalink**) Thu Apr 15, 2004, 12:26pm

These are all good points to learn from.

Chuck, that is the same way one of my fellow ump's did to last week. I seen the ball thrown from SS to 1B. The runner was there it was a Bang-Bang play, but the ball was thrown a little high so the 1B had to stretch up to get it but caught it. So I called the BR out, The couch of the team that was on Offense had ask me to check with my partner. So I did we meet. He said at point of view the 1B man was off. So I said thank you. He said to me make the call. So I called him "Safe". The other couch did not get mad. Suprise to that huh.

Glad I had a partner to help out. But at my point of view He was out.

Like Merle and Jim Craig. You always want a OUT!!!!! Sell it if you got it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ChampaignBlue · #7 (**permalink**) Thu Apr 15, 2004, 01:12pm

My mechanics on that play are to point at the bag with my left hand to indicate that the overhand out call is coming. While everyone is focused on my left hand I then glance at my partner to see where s/he is facing, if it's at me or the bag I'll point to them with my right hand and ask "Do you have a pulled foot?" to which they answer yes or no and I then finish my call. It is important that you ask in a fashion that they answer yes or no because it is YOUR call. Do not ask for safe or out because you might get "I didn't see it" back at you! The way I ask they answer yes if they see a pulled foot but if they couldn't/didn't see the play you give them the oportunity to answer "No, I do not."

Never, ever ask them to make your call.