working with 'that' partner....

[okla21fan]

This is not about working with 'that' partner, but more about getting feedback when issues arose when working with 'that' partner.

background:
A while back I was working a college look tourney and was working with a partner from another association, so I had never met him before. When I got into the complex, dressed for my assignment 45 minutes prior to my games to 'check in', i found that my partner had not arrived yet. No big deal, it was still 'early'.

When said partner did arrive (about 15 minutes before scheduled time), there was already a group of blues gathered chatting and such. (subject was a rule interpretation for another day I guess) He immediately gave his 'two cents' about the subject really without listening to others, more or less 'interrupting' the conversations. (which I just happened to not agree with his interpretation anyway)

anyway, flash forward to just after our first pre game, and introductions and while we are waiting for the teams to take the field, he asked 'just how long have you been doing this?' While that is not an odd question, I simply answered 'this is my 21 year'. Before I could barely get out 'year', he interrupts and gives me his 'resume' in what seemed to be eternity. Still not sure why he felt the need to do so but I strayed away cause the defense looked ready, and took my position in the A slot.

Later that game, we have a situation where R1 is on 2nd, and B2 hits a ground ball to F6. F6 fields the ground ball, and throws wild to F3, and the ball ends up going into dead ball territory. I signal and call dead ball and start giving the bases awarded. I point to B2 (who is standing on 2nd) and say 'your, award is 2nd'. I then point to R1 (who is standing on 3rd) and say 'your award is home'.

'That' partner comes out of the holding area and says 'no, she stays at third''

Now this is a 'college look' and as a rule, things are a little bit more low key, so i say 'You are not awarding two bases from the point of release?'. he answers with 'No, she stays at third and I am the plate umpire'.

While i wanted to 'get it right', I did not want to waste anymore time and the offensive coach just said 'if thats what you think, she will stay at third' (after the inning, the OC said he didn't want to waste anymore time either, and that this weekend was about getting his girls at-bats anyway)

after all this, my question is. when you are working with 'that' kind of partner, what are some ideas in handling situations where you don't agree with a rule interpretation? I understand if it is Championship play, there will be UIC's on site and such to confer with, but when that is not available, what are some ideas?

I'll hang up and listen.