View was Obstructed so I called "SAFE"

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally posted by debeau
With a runner on one the PU is still in position to help .
The PU takes off up the 1st base line to check just for this sort of thing then button hooks over to the holding bay and if necessary moves up to third to take the call .
After all that you can ask you partner and personally I feel you can be open .
"John I was obscured have you got a call on that one "
This leaves both team coaches in no doubt and they would be rather silly to come into the diamond after this .

Speaking of looking silly, what happens when "John" says, "I didn't see it"?

Or makes a call when others observed John watching something else? Not a lot of things worse than an umpire caught in a lie.

As much as we would all like to be sure there are two sets of eyes, it just doesn't always happen that way. Have a private talk with your partner. Obviously, there will still be no doubt in the coaches' minds that they have run out of options, but that will NOT keep them from entering the field to "discuss" the play.

[debeau]

You are right Irish it would be silly .
I suppose I answer in an ideal world where your partner is watching as he/she is supoosed to do .
I am still in favour of open short questions rather than whispered discussions as it does save time .
I suppose it has all to do with level of play level of umpires etc.
Yes you are right it has happened to me where my partner has said "ahhh I wasnt looking " and it is embarrasing .

[Stevetheump]

Originally Posted by CoachBlue

I was calling a 12U rec. game last night. Had a runner on 1st. The ball was hit torward the 2nd baseman. The 1st baseman came over and got the ball and rushed over and dove glove first torward 1st base. The play was going to very close. At the exact moment everything came together for some unknown reason the 2nd baseman stepped directly between me and the play. I could't see the play so I called "SAFE". My thinking was I didn't see the out made so I couldn't call an out. I can't call what I didn't see. Of course I didn't really see the "Safe" either.

Did I make the right call?

If so, and the defensive coach had ask me to ask for help, should I ask for help? This is really not an Appeal type play or is it?

Of course if I do ask for help and the batter runner was clearly out and we change the call the Offensive coach is going to go into orbit.

Just a guestion for some you Blues with more experience than me.

Thanks In Advance

[Edited by CoachBlue on Apr 14th, 2005 at 02:22 PM]

Yes, you made the right call, Coachblue. NEVER "guess" an out. I had one last year:
R1 on first and I'm the base umpire in the "B" position (near the second baseman). Now, these guys play a DEEP infield. I'm a good 6 feet on the grass. Batter hits a ground ball to the SS. He dives to his right, stops the ball, but makes a LOW throw to the 2nd baseman covering 2nd (and his foot firmly on the base). Now, I'm in a DIRECT LINE between the SS and 2nd base and I cannot see when the 2nd baseman received the ball. I initially called the runner "safe." The plate umpire calls "time." WITHOUT hesitation, I went in to my partner and asked: "Chris, did the 2nd baseman catch the ball before the runner got there?" He replied: "Yes." So, I turned around and said to the runner at 2nd: "Runner at 2nd, you're out." Now, HE didn't change my call, but provided me with information. Now, it's up to ME to either stick with my initial call OR CHANGE IT. I changed it. I have NO problem doing that and have done so a handful of times over the course of 30-plus years on the diamond.
Again, coach, NEVER "GUESS" AN OUT.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by Stevetheump

Yes, you made the right call, Coachblue. NEVER "guess" an out. I had one last year:
R1 on first and I'm the base umpire in the "B" position (near the second baseman). Now, these guys play a DEEP infield. I'm a good 6 feet on the grass. Batter hits a ground ball to the SS. He dives to his right, stops the ball, but makes a LOW throw to the 2nd baseman covering 2nd (and his foot firmly on the base). Now, I'm in a DIRECT LINE between the SS and 2nd base and I cannot see when the 2nd baseman received the ball. I initially called the runner "safe." The plate umpire calls "time." WITHOUT hesitation, I went in to my partner and asked: "Chris, did the 2nd baseman catch the ball before the runner got there?" He replied: "Yes." So, I turned around and said to the runner at 2nd: "Runner at 2nd, you're out." Now, HE didn't change my call, but provided me with information. Now, it's up to ME to either stick with my initial call OR CHANGE IT. I changed it. I have NO problem doing that and have done so a handful of times over the course of 30-plus years on the diamond.
Again, coach, NEVER "GUESS" AN OUT.

Umm... You do realize this thread is almost 5 years old, right?

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

Umm... You do realize this thread is almost 5 years old, right?

Yeah.....and your point?? Don't you ever leave conversations sitting around for half a decade and then suddenly feel the need to pick them up again???

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

Yeah.....and your point?? Don't you ever leave conversations sitting around for half a decade and then suddenly feel the need to pick them up again???

If my wife is smart enough not to do that, we should do the same.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

If my wife is smart enough not to do that, we should do the same.

But, my wife does do that whenever she gets PO'ed enough...

[Stevetheump]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

Umm... You do realize this thread is almost 5 years old, right?

Yes, I realize it was an old one, NCASA. But, thanks for the backup.

[argodad]

Originally Posted by Stevetheump

Yes, you made the right call, Coachblue. NEVER "guess" an out. I had one last year:
R1 on first and I'm the base umpire in the "B" position (near the second baseman). Now, these guys play a DEEP infield. I'm a good 6 feet on the grass. Batter hits a ground ball to the SS. He dives to his right, stops the ball, but makes a LOW throw to the 2nd baseman covering 2nd (and his foot firmly on the base). Now, I'm in a DIRECT LINE between the SS and 2nd base and I cannot see when the 2nd baseman received the ball. I initially called the runner "safe." The plate umpire calls "time." WITHOUT hesitation, I went in to my partner and asked: "Chris, did the 2nd baseman catch the ball before the runner got there?" He replied: "Yes." So, I turned around and said to the runner at 2nd: "Runner at 2nd, you're out." Now, HE didn't change my call, but provided me with information. Now, it's up to ME to either stick with my initial call OR CHANGE IT. I changed it. I have NO problem doing that and have done so a handful of times over the course of 30-plus years on the diamond.
Again, coach, NEVER "GUESS" AN OUT.

Steve, can you please stop shouting?

[okla21fan]

Originally Posted by argodad

Steve, can you please stop shouting?

He isn't shouting....he is just selling his post!

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by okla21fan

He isn't shouting....he is just selling his post!

After much thought, I have decided that I want the loudest posts on here!

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

After much thought, I have decided that I want the loudest posts on here!

Careful... this could REALLY escalate!