plate ump

[bethsdad]

Do you ever change a called ball or strike once you make the call ? I was watching my daughters game last weekend (14U asa) Plate ump calls a ball on a great curve,then stands there shaking his head and tells everyone what a nice curve it was. He was making the call to soon and blew it. The pitcher just smiled and went on with her game.

[kellerumps]

No I won't change the call....But I will tell the catcher that I blew it, and if the coach asks then I will say the same thing but will add that I will work harder to insure it won't happen again.

[DaveASA/FED]

I agree with keller, I have had it happen. This year (and every year) I work to have better timing slowing down on my calls to get another look at it in my head that helps but in the early years I have had to eat some. And as mentioned all you can say to the catcher "I blew that one, she hits the same spot again and I'll call it!"

[IHSAIllini]

In my days as a young bull-headed ump, I wouldn't change any calls.

Now I am older and wiser, but I still won't change these. Why? Opens the door to arguing balls and strikes. Though I do get a kick out of deflating windbag parents and coaches, I'd rather not give them the change, y'dig? Heheh.

[Striker991]

At the plate meeting, we tell the coaches we won't discuss balls and strikes, or any other judgement call for that matter. Why in the world would I want to open that door by starting a conversation about balls and strikes myself? No way...call stands...mental note to myself, call it next time. ABSOLUTELY no discussion with anyone, except maybe with my partner AFTER the game.

[Andy]

If I blow a pitch (strike called a ball) I will generally say something just loud enough for the batter and catcher to hear. One of my buddies uses the line: Happy Birthday, batter!

To the catcher I am saying: I blew it, that was a strike.
To the batter I am saying: If the ball is at that same spot again, it's a strike.

Naturally, this is not something that you want to be doing several times a game.