Mechanics discussion

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

The point I was making is that in NCAA I have options. On the play I mentioned, I could either rim or button hook in just like ASA reccommends. Both would be totally acceptable.

See above.

I would like to see ASA become a little more lenient at the higher levels where umpire mechanics are concerned.

I couldn't agree more, well, almost. My major concern is always that the play gets covered by the umpire who is supposed to cover it. Obviously, there are times an umpire needs help, but that should be the exception. That also means that the crew must be on the same page, or it just isn't going to be a good game for Blue.

But we are trying to compare two different animals. The NCAA is a closed shop that has no problem fielding umpires though I'm not impressed that some umpires receive assignments in multiple levels. But that is what they think works best and it is their call.

Meanwhile, the ASA assignments are more spread out and the quality of umpire is out of the UIC's hands. In some areas, even the state/metro has no say in who is sent to championship play.

As for what happens after a game or in a locker room, that isn't covered in any rule book, and thus is strictly subjective to the UIC. This is true of any organization.

It was noted earlier that this is in some NCAA manual. From the NCAA Div I Manual:


31.1.15 Availability of Alcoholic Beverages.

Alcoholic beverages shall not be sold or otherwise made

available for public consumption at any championship event sponsored by or administered by the Association, nor
shall any such beverages be brought to the site during the championship (during the period from the time access

to the site is available to spectators until all patrons have left the facility or area used for competition).

I read this as pertaining solely to areas accessible to the general public especially since on-campus college facilities hosting NCAA events have been routinely serving alcoholic beverages, but in private club situations. But many outside venues have taken in a step further by selling alcoholic beverages on site, just steps away from the field on which the game is to be played, but just on the other side of a cyclone fence. A private locker room is just that, private.

I know this has nothing to do with mechanics, but with evaluations and part of what Steve mentioned. IMO, this "beer" ding was an act based upon the UIC's personal opinion. This petty BS exists everywhere and, also IMO, should be extremely discounted or outright removed.

Regardless of the game or level, an evaluation should be based on performance and results, not the nit-picking crap I read in some of the evaluations which come through my office.

Okay, done pontificating about this.

Back to the mechanics.

[tcannizzo]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

I couldn't agree more, well, almost. My major concern is always that the play gets covered by the umpire who is supposed to cover it. Obviously, there are times an umpire needs help, but that should be the exception. That also means that the crew must be on the same page, or it just isn't going to be a good game for Blue.

IMHO, there is much room for improvement in defining situations where (and how) help should and should not be given, both solicited and unsolicited.

In particular, INT/OBS, a topic that is near and dear to my heart.

Sitch: Umpire who has primary responsibilty, either misses or simply does not call INT/OBS; but partner does.

What is the best way for partner to handle this?
a.) Do nothing, unless help is solicited.
> While this approach preserves the integrity of the primary caller, it could become a difficult situation with coach who would ask, "Well, if you saw, it why didn't you call it, especially when a Dead Ball call is prescribed by rule?"

b.) Offer unsolicited help..If so, how should unsolcited help be offered?
> While this approach is an attempt to "get it right", it could create the perception that one umpire is overturning another umpire's call.

Just askin'

[CecilOne]

I guess I'm a "call it if you see it" person, regardless of "primary area" for calls like INT, OBS, pitch hitting batter, UC; although will reverse if partner has a good reason. Of course, this does not apply to out/safe, catch/no-catch, etc.