Partner from Hell

[WestMichBlue]

ChampaignBlue: "I know that a partner like that can ruin your whole night and certainly doesn't build confidence but why wouldn't you go to him on the pulled foot call? Were you concerned that he would question your judgement on the timing rather than just answer if there was a pulled foot?"

If I ever have any question that the play is not what I saw (ie., possible pulled foot, missed tag, dropped ball, check swing, hit batter) I will go to my partner (publically) before I make the call. In lieu of that, I am assuming that I have the play and I will make the call.

If the coach wants to come to me with the position that I may have missed something, I will always privately check with my partner. After the discussion, I will make the call - either stay with the original, or reverse it.

Cardinal rule of umpiring: never discuss a partner's call with anyone other than partner. ("Not my call, Coach!"). Rule #2: never over-rule your partner. Only he can reverse himself.

WMB