Lesser of Two Evils

[jimpiano]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

I agree with Mike 110%. If I'm PU and I make a call at the plate, I'll be d@mn3d if another ump, regardless of his experience, hollers another call, even if he's right. I say pull the other ump aside, explain that it's still your call, and show your final ruling. If my partner wants to get pissy about it, fine - I still stand firm and let him look like the idiot (because I guarantee you, he will!). If he makes a scene, I just report it to my boss who handles the scheduling.

I've called games with umpires I've downright loathed. Umpires who, upon seeing them approach the field, make me want to turn around and get back in my car and enjoy some refreshments. But love 'em or hate 'em, it's still my duty and responsibility to be a professional umpire, even if others lack the capacity for reciprocity.

I say again - it's not my job, it's my duty and responsibility as a professional umpire.

There is a classic story in NBA lore in a game refereed by the late Earl Strom, arguably the best NBA official ever, and Dick Bavetta who was then a rookie.

Story has Bavetta overrulling Strom's call late in a close game.

Strom said nothing and Bavetta''s call stood.

In the dressing room after the game Strom beat the hell out of Bavetta.

[blueump]

I may stand and shake my head over and over again, I may pull him aside and rip his butt, I may even never speak to him at all, but I will NEVER, NEVER, NEVER leave the field!

I'm not there for my partner, I'm there for the players and the game. If my partner is an idiot, it just makes my job harder. Let him look like a fool when he overrules you, but NEVER walk out on your responsibility. This isn't a "I'll take my toys and go home" job!

[tcannizzo]

OK, looking for consensus here:

When PU unilaterally overturned U1's call, U1 should have calmly walked over to PU and with the same calm demeanor as in speaking to an erroneous coach and said, "You do not have the right to make this call, please revert back to the correct call."

Should PU refuse, then U1 should give PU one more chance before calling in the UIC to hold court on the field.

Does this sound right?

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by tcannizzo

OK, looking for consensus here:

When PU unilaterally overturned U1's call, U1 should have calmly walked over to PU and with the same calm demeanor as in speaking to an erroneous coach and said, "You do not have the right to make this call, please revert back to the correct call."

Should PU refuse, then U1 should give PU one more chance before calling in the UIC to hold court on the field.

Does this sound right?

I make no claim to knowing how to handle this situation right. I've never been in this situation, so whatever I say is essentially speculation on how I would like to think I would act.

First, I would argue strongly for what I saw and why it was correct. Second, if the PU tried to overrule, I would argue strongly that he had no such authority. If he did it anyway, I'm not sure there is much to be gained by calling in the UIC to settle the issue. The PU has already shot our credibility as a team in the head, so making the small skirmish into a major cluster-f is not likely to be helpful.

I'm not sure I could manage the smile Mike talks about; more like the evil eye

while I go back to position, hoping the PU gets himself into a situation later in the game were he REALLY needs my help.

I doubt I would actually push him over the cliff later if given the chance, but I'd be thinking about it!

[mook11]

If I am the OC, I immediately protest the out call. It doesn't matter if the call is correct or not, the second the hand is put out, my runner is protected.

I know this was a bang, bang play but as soon as I know what the call is, I know where my runner is safe and where s(he) is not. Once you have given "safe passage" you cannot retroactively take it away.

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by mook11

If I am the OC, I immediately protest the out call. It doesn't matter if the call is correct or not, the second the hand is put out, my runner is protected.

I know this was a bang, bang play but as soon as I know what the call is, I know where my runner is safe and where s(he) is not. Once you have given "safe passage" you cannot retroactively take it away.

Not sure you'd win a protest based on a hand signal given by the off official which your runner could not have been able to react to... You may win a protest based on umpire protocol and who is allowed (by rule) to overrule whom ... but it would be a very tough one to win.

The signal ... by the way ... does not mean "obstruction". The signal merely means that the umpire has a delayed dead ball.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by mcrowder

You may win a protest based on umpire protocol and who is allowed (by rule) to overrule whom ... but it would be a very tough one to win.

I would say impossible to win unless you just happen to persuade the protest committee, commissioner, UIC, whoever of the injustice of it all or have a UIC who wanted to send a message to the PU. Umpire protocol is defined in Rule 10 (ASA), which begins with this:

Failure of umpires to adhere to Rule 10 shall not be grounds for protest. These are guidelines for umpires.