Joel,
As to calls being questioned & coaches "requesting" that I ask for help. You're right, I don't get asked that often. Other than on checked swings, it's probably less than 2-3 times a game with some coaches & less than that with most of them. Most of the older catchers know that a plate ump is going to watch the ball all the way into their glove, so asking about a checked swing really isn't a big deal.

>>And to answer your quesion Mike.......I would go to my partner in this instance to ask what he saw........I would hope that my partner would however......come barreling in and holler for everyone to hear....... that the balls on the ground.......much as we would immediately call dead ball when we see a batted ball hit a batter in the batters box that the PU had no chance of seeing<<

But if you've already made the call, wouldn't that umpire be violating rule 10 by attempting to change your call without you requesting help? :-)

We all understand what is being said, but I think it is quite obvious that you cannot spread a blanket statement over all the possible scenarios.

nm........see below

[Edited by Gulf Coast Blue on Feb 21st, 2001 at 09:09 PM]

Points well taken........

But don't you agree that there should be a little better guidance than what is given?

Many other situations that are infinitely less complex are covered <i>ad nauseum</i>......and this one involving umpire judgement is somewhat brushed under the carpet.

Joel

Also.....I could not find the articles I was looking for.....but there are some excellent articles regarding game management etc. on Steve Cutchen's home page.

check it out.....there is some good reading
there.

http://web2.airmail.net/scutchen/index.htm

Look at the umpire advice section......I have always enjoyed visiting Steves page.......especially since he is a UT alum........."HOOK EM"

Yes, there should be more guidance.

That should come from your UIC via State/Metro clinics. I do not know if you have the benefit we do in Delaware, but our staff does everything it can to help out umpires with this type of concern.

There is always a Delaware contingent at the ASA Bi-Annual UIC clinics and we do attend the sessions presented. We consider this part of our job.

Guys,
Not to make any additional arguements, but to make sure I've not misrepresented myself.

I don't just call "higher level" softball. My softball experience last year was everything from 12 yoa through varsity level ball. I have been lucky enough to be selected for play-off level games, but haven't been blessed with the opportunity to get any "champonship" assignments in the finals at Raleigh yet.

I do have a reputation of not taking a lot of arguments from coaches or players. I don't eject many (just one assistant coach (SB) and 2 head coachs (BB) last year out of 157 games) but I will stop an arguemnt quickly early in a game and send the coach back to the dugout. Most teams respect that, and at tournments I get complements from coaches and fans for keeping the game moving and not letting discussions drag on.

Thanks,

Roger Greene,
Member UT