How to "cover" for a weak partner

[DaveASA/FED]

Originally Posted by cpa

First of all, why are they weak? Are they a brand new umpire - a newbie who is very teachable and soaks things up like a sponge? Or are they a broken down horse -- a 30 year veteran who hit their ceiling 25 years ago and does things a certain way "because that's the way I've always done it"?

Well I was actually asking a generic question trying to get some real responses to about all situations. Where this came from was a comment form a UIC, had a partner not real good at 3 person, I was PU rotated to 3rd 1BU didn't come home (when he was free to) so i had to bust it back to home and make a call there, no big deal got it covered, but UIC mentioned I should have directed my partner more and got him in the right place to cover the play at home. I agreed with him, but this is the heart of the question, along with some high school games I had this year with a couple of weak partners just wondering how you all "cover" for this. Do you talk more to let them know where you expect them to be? Do you say screw them I got my responsibilities covered let the coaches take their head off? (IMO not an option as we are a team like it or not for that game) Or just do your best and pray they don't get you in trouble?

[CajunNewBlue]

Will say it again... ALWAYS cover for your partner.
If you let him get hung out to dry and then gets reamed by the coach it hurts you BOTH as a team.
If its someone you don't like and have requested not to work with them, but still get assigned with that person. COVER for them anyways.
Having trolled this forum for a while I have seen some people say some silly *** stuff (myself included..lol) but, I make a mental note for some of the people who say things like "screw my partner this and screw my partner that" or something to that effect, and I NEVER EVER want to work with them.
For 6-7 innings you are married to that person "for better or worse" ... get divorced AFTER the game.

[DaveASA/FED]

Cajun,
I agree you cover for them, what I want to know, admittedly it is difficult to give an idea as there are several situations that might occur in a 7 inning game....but is HOW do you cover for them? Do you just keep an extra eye on their area of the diamond? Do you talk more to "remind" them what they should be doing? Again what do you actually do to "cover" for them? Some past ways you have or things you can think of that might happen that would allow you to help them out.

[CajunNewBlue]

Originally Posted by DaveASA/FED

Cajun,
I agree you cover for them, what I want to know, admittedly it is difficult to give an idea as there are several situations that might occur in a 7 inning game....but is HOW do you cover for them? Do you just keep an extra eye on their area of the diamond? Do you talk more to "remind" them what they should be doing? Again what do you actually do to "cover" for them? Some past ways you have or things you can think of that might happen that would allow you to help them out.

ahhh now i understand.... you want specific's. D#amn picky umpires... lol

[CajunNewBlue]

In regards to your 1BU blown coverage at home... unless you know they are going to blow it in advance (dont ask me how you would know this) you can only do what you did... Cover his @ss... If someone see's you turning and point him to home, all hell is gonna break loose (now everyone knows that the blue team doesn't know what they are doing) Now that being said... your 3BU should have seen this and should meet up with him in center field 'tween innings and give him the good word. and of course,there is the post-game meeting to rehash this.

Disclaimer: These are just my opinions are not to be confused with actual umpire mechanics, at any time.

[whiskers_ump]

Originally Posted by CajunNewBlue

In regards to your 1BU blown coverage at home... unless you know they are going to blow it in advance (dont ask me how you would know this) you can only do what you did... Cover his @ss... If someone see's you turning and point him to home, all hell is gonna break loose (now everyone knows that the blue team doesn't know what they are doing) Now that being said... your 3BU should have seen this and should meet up with him in center field 'tween innings and give him the good word. and of course,there is the post-game meeting to rehash this.

Disclaimer: These are just my opinions are not to be confused with actual umpire mechanics, at any time.

Don't be so modest. You are a good umpire, one that seems to always be
watching when not calling and asking questions when with, for lack of better
word, more experience. I have seen and worked with you enough to know
that you are not one to "hang his partner out." Even with more experienced
umpires, I have seen and heard you give them advice, and usually good
stuff.

Now that I have sucked up, see you Sunday. Maybe we are on the same
field. Hope so.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by whiskers_ump

Now that I have sucked up, see you Sunday. Maybe we are on the same
field. Hope so.

Any bets on who shows up already in his plate gear?