A philosophical question:

[SC Ump]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Do I have a partner that I could pretend to conference with before I reverse myself, or do I have to do it all alone in front of God and everyone?

I do the same... pretend conference with my partner... sort of. I will say to partner, you know I think I blew that. I had "A" but now I'm thinking "B". What do you think? The reason I asked for their opinion is I really want it and if I'm going to conference with them, I want to at least get their opinion. I would have a hard time overturning my own ruling if they agreed with that original ruling.

I had a partner once come to me for a conference and say, "Well I blew that. I'm going to change it." He left quickly and never heard my opinion. He changed his call and for the rest of the game the coach on the short end of the call was all over me because he thought I screwed him.

(I agreed with my partner that he blew it and he should change it, but I took the heat and never got to give my thoughts.)

[IRISHMAFIA]

True story:

State tournament, 14U.

Backstop and dugouts relatively close to plate area and one team is in control of the game. Team in the field is clearly the better team.

Two out, 2-2 count, pitch paints the outside corner.

Umpire: Ball
Def bench: Oooooooohhh!
Umpire: Oops, my bad. Strike three!

I couldn't have gotten away from that field any quicker. However, the offense didn't say a word. The umpire has three nationals under his belt including an 18U, all with excellent ratings.

What it often comes down to is that we're human and **** happens.

[DaveASA/FED]

Mike,
Doesn't that just come down to a momentary loss of the game situation? Bottom of the last 2 out 2-2 count team up big in the field anything close to that outside corner is a BIG sell strike 3!!

Ok before I get blasted I am just kidding, sort of!

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

True story:

State tournament, 14U.

Backstop and dugouts relatively close to plate area and one team is in control of the game. Team in the field is clearly the better team.

Two out, 2-2 count, pitch paints the outside corner.

Umpire: Ball
Def bench: Oooooooohhh!
Umpire: Oops, my bad. Strike three!

I couldn't have gotten away from that field any quicker. However, the offense didn't say a word. The umpire has three nationals under his belt including an 18U, all with excellent ratings.

What it often comes down to is that we're human and **** happens.

Last year 18 G or A show case.. flame thrower on the mound inning after inning..

So mid game they changed pitchers when taking the field and I didnt notice (and not required to report it) ..

A Wizard Magician Pitcher throws a junk pitch that spins and twists and floats and hovers into the mit.. right down the middle.... perfect strike.

Stunned by the junk pitch.. I hear the words "ball" come out of my mouth.

Catcher asks me "what was wrong with that pitch"..

I just told her "look, that was a beautiful pitch - she got me ok?"

I didnt change the call and she reported that to the coach who came over and loved the fact his pitcher had zapped me.

[Justme]

Originally Posted by SC Ump

I had a partner once come to me for a conference and say, "Well I blew that. I'm going to change it." He left quickly and never heard my opinion. He changed his call and for the rest of the game the coach on the short end of the call was all over me because he thought I screwed him.

(I agreed with my partner that he blew it and he should change it, but I took the heat and never got to give my thoughts.)

What????

Why would you allow a coach to "give you heat" for the rest of the game? Wasn't it a judgment call? Sounds like it was time for the coach to go sit on the bus.

Unless you disagreed with your partner and let the coach hear your disagreement during the conference you would still have taken heat anyway because you didn't agree with the coach.