I just plain blew it

[SC Ump]

Ron Luciano was a 1970's gregarious umpire in the majors. I've heard that in one of his books, he relates a story of a runner stealing second. He yells "safe" while throwing up a big fist in the air.

The two players ask if he was calling safe or out and he said, "There was only two of you that heard 'safe', but there are 60,000 people that just saw 'out'. He's out."

I don't know if it is true. I hope it is.

On your play I agree with others, slow down your calls. I tell those in our association that any first or second year officials that can make a call too slow, I will give them $5. I don't think it is possible for a new umpire to make a call too slow.

The point in time that you said "Time! Oops I changed my mind" was the point in time that you probably should have been making your first call.