Partner and Coach discussing a call

[CajunNewBlue]

Obstruction awarded to a runner advancing on a hit from 2nd the third.... partner on bases gets a "time" request from OC and they proceed to "discuss" this on the third base line behind third base. I proceed about 2/3 up the line and go into stand-by for trouble mode.
Birds are chirping.... clouds are lite and fluffy... i do my grocery list in my head. I look at partner and point at my wrist, he turns his back and continues talking. I recheck watch in my bag and its 7 minutes into this discussion... Coach starts YELLING at partner.... I move closer. Coach hushes, I stop. 3 more minutes pass. Coach yells some more... I walk up to them and I am getting a little miffed. Ohhh yeah, this is a 1 hour time limit tournament. I mention it to them and partner looks at me like WTF did you just say? So now im close and coach starts in on me, I give him 2 or 3 sentences and say ok i heard you coach... lets play ball, and we proceed to do just that.
I really think (know) I handled this poorly.
What would or have you guys done in this situation?

[NCASAUmp]

Sounds like your partner needs a few more clinics. There's absolutely no reason the discussion should have lasted more than a minute.

You were smart in not jumping in there right away - that would've undermined his authority. The whole wrist-point was good, because you're communicating to your partner without interrupting the discussion. However, roughly how long did you wait before the wrist-point? Was it the 7 minutes you mentioned

If anything, my only contention with how you handled it would be that you had waited too long to remind your partner to move it along. However, your partner never should have put you in that position to remind him, "hey, we've got a time limit here." Your partner lost a lot of credibility after going past the first minute, thus forcing you to undermine him.

[Skahtboi]

Sounds like you were working with some wacky umpires this weekend. Is this the same one in the incomplete call post, or a different one?

[CajunNewBlue]

Same... different game. And to answer NCASA about 3 minutes till wrist point.... once he turned his back, I thought ohhh well (hope the coach doesnt punch him, because im not running over there).... cleaned the plate... drank some water... looked for a HLM... adjusted cup . then checked watch. ;-)

[NCASAUmp]

Then I think you handled it as best as YOU could. Your partner, on the other hand, needs a few lessons in game management.

You gave your partner plenty of chances to retain his authority on the field. You didn't butt in right away. You gave him time to explain the ruling (maybe a little too much time). You didn't undermine him.

He undermined himself, and you had no choice but to nudge the game along.

[BretMan]

TEN MINUTES of standing around watching two guys talk? That's insane. Heck, two minutes seems like an eternity when you're just standing there doing nothing.

And two minutes- tops, probably closer to one!- is just about how long I would have let this go on. You are the UIC for this game and you have the duty to keep the game moving along.

I would wait my minute or two, give my partner the chance to do what he's supposed to do, then if has has not, I'm heading up the line and asking, "What's the hold-up, fellas?".

They get about eight seconds to explain, it will take me about eight more to respond and, assuming there is no further need for me to interject, we get, "That's the call, the play stands. Back to your dugout coach, so we can play ball".

Sure, there's a such thing as not stepping on your partner's turf, but he had his chance. As the UIC your turf is keeping the game moving along without delay.