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Lesser of Two Evils
I think this question deserves its own thread.
Re: U-Make-The-Call Sitch: PU overturns BU's call. BU should: a.) just stand there and continue with the game. b.) leave the field of play c.) other (explain) Seems to me that "b" is the lesser of two evils. By going with "a": 1. Silence constitutes acceptance. Is this the message that BU should send? 2. BU's credibility and authority have been stripped openly and publicly. 3. It establishes a precedent that would permit ANY umpire to overturn ANY OTHER umpire's call at least for the rest of that game, and into the future 4. The integrity of the game has been compromised. Do you stand there in the face of this breach or make a statement. I choose not to offer some of my thoughts on "c" as they are all with the benefit of 20-20 hindsight. This was in the heat of the moment of an unbelievably bizarre situation. IMHO, BU was in a "dammed if you do and dammed if you don't". U1 didn't do the right thing, but what would the best course of action in case this happens in a future event to one of you?
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Tony |
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Who is paying for your services, the teams or your partner? The PU is not going to overturn didly without a fight. There will be no problem with my integrity because I will have no problem telling both coaches that I will be happy to discuss any questions they have concerning the play after the game, hustle back to my position and let them feast on my partner. And I'll do it with a smile. I will not, however, walk out on the teams, nor give my partner the satisfaction of acting the hero.
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The bat issue in softball is as much about liability, insurance and litigation as it is about competition, inflated egos and softball. |
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The game is more imortant than the issue to be resolved later between the umpires. |
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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.
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Dave I haven't decided if I should call it from the dugout or the outfield. Apparently, both have really great views! Screw green, it ain't easy being blue! I won't be coming here that much anymore. I might check in now and again. |
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Some new information here:
I just spoke with the UIC of the tournament who told me that although U1 walked through the gate, the first person U1 went to was the UIC who was only 5 feet from the gate. He said that U1 didn't leave the game. That he had excused U1 from duty and stepped in to take over for U1. If any of the coaches were to have protested the OUT call by PU, the UIC would have returned the call to the correct call SAFE. But even UIC's do not overturn a grossly mistaken partner unless help was requested in the proper and professional umpiring protocol.
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Tony |
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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. |
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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!
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"When I umpire I may not always be right, but I am always final!" |
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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?
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Tony |
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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!
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Tom |
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Offense Protest
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.
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The signal ... by the way ... does not mean "obstruction". The signal merely means that the umpire has a delayed dead ball.
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"Many baseball fans look upon an umpire as a sort of necessary evil to the luxury of baseball, like the odor that follows an automobile." - Hall of Fame Pitcher Christy Mathewson |
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Tom |
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"Many baseball fans look upon an umpire as a sort of necessary evil to the luxury of baseball, like the odor that follows an automobile." - Hall of Fame Pitcher Christy Mathewson |
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Protest
I didn't think that this protest would be that hard to win, but it looks like I am in the minority. Similar situation - R1 rounding second on a base hit to RF. As she rounds second, she colides with R6 and falls down. FU signals OBS, so I tell my runner to get up and hustle to 3B. She does and is called out. PU states that he doesn't think there is obstruction. So - is she out. Is this bad coaching on my part.
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Tom |
Bookmarks |
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