Interference Question

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by rwest

Its not the force feeding that makes veteran umpires rule such things. Its being feed the wrong answers. I doubt very seriously if you forced fed anyone regarding those rules above, that they would get them wrong. You would give them the correct answers.

I can tell you I spend a load of time every year offering everything I can to any umpire or prospect who is willing to sit and listen. And it is unbelieveable how many couldn't come up with the correct ruling if their life depended on it. We talk about, we go through the rule with the book open and then offer examples. That is my idea of "force feeding". However, none of it makes a difference if the person isn't willing to actually get into the book and voluntarily absorb the information.

I have found that more than less will choose to accept the easy path and not follow up on their own.

I like that proverb and have used it a great deal. I just think that at times the direct approach is best instead of "Go read a book". Whether you like it or not, different teaching styles exist because we all learn differently. One size does not fit all.

No argument, but that was not the case here. The newb was given the answers and then told where to find them.

What happens when you make a ruling and there seems to be a viable question on the field that makes you think twice about it? Do you check the book after the game, or do you just assume you must have been right and there is no need to check?

I guarantee if it is the former, you will get this ruling right every time the rest of your career, even if you kicked it that one time on the field.

If the latter, you may feel solid, but if you kicked it this time, you are doomed to repeat that failure.