Umpiring Positioning and Calls.

[WestMichBlue]

"Not the proper angle AT ALL"

No, it is not the proper angle, nor will it ever be. It is even tough to get a good angle when you are in the "B" position.

But it is your call to make, and you try to anticipate the play, and hustle to improve your angle as best you can. Then make the call! If it is wrong you will hear about it, but don't go to your partner. Your call, you made it (to the best of your ability), end of discussion! UNLESS - the offended coach requests time and suggest to you that you may have been out of position and asks you to confer with your partner to see if they had a better view.

Talk to your partner, and if he convinces you to change your call, then do so. You announce it, and it becomes final and you go on with the game.

You never transfer a call to your partner, but you may seek his help before making your call. Many times from the "C" position you may not see the full play, whether it is a batted ball or pick-off play. You can point to your partner and loudly ask the pertinent question: PULL? (did she pull her foot?); TAG? (did she tag the runner?); DROP? (did she drop the ball?). When you get your YES or NO answer then YOU make the call.

This can be very impressive when pulled off right. Bang-Bang play at 1B, you shout to partner, "TAG?", he shouts back, "NO", and you sell a very big SAFE call. Even though some may not like the call, they saw a team in action and a very emphatic call and it is hard to dispute that call.

WMB


[Edited by WestMichBlue on Feb 15th, 2006 at 03:04 AM]