A situation to defuse

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by rwest

FED has a mechanic where you can go for help in this situation. However, I don't like that mechanic and I don't use it. I prefer to make the call and then go for help if asked. I agree with Mike on this. If you are certain the run would have scored, keep it on the books, if not put her back on 3rd.

From other discussions, and depending on who your UIC/clinician/NUS/guru is, there are no hard and fast rules that you may NOT ask for help immediately, or that you MUST go for help immediately without making a call. Seems the world is split, with valid arguments on both sides.

My personal preference, as has been stated before, is that BU has primary responsibility, PU secondary, and primary needs to make the call assigned by the manual. There can be any number of reasons why PU may not be able to assist; regardless, handing PU the call right off the bat may result in a "no call". So, make your call. Go for help if asked, go for help even without being asked if you truly suspect pulled foot and time is of the essence (like this particular play); I see that the same as asking for a checked swing appeal even if not asked, and immediately if D3k may put players in jeopardy.

Proponents of asking before a call suggest that would lor might fix the timing, but on this play (and I have been there, just not this time), where an immediate "safe" wouldn't have allowed the defense to make the play, then you now add the argument that all (umpires and players) were jeopardized by the distraction and extra step in getting ANY call, making the decision of timing more difficult to judge.

I really see almost no upside to asking first, rather than making the call and getting help (asked by teams, in most cases, or not, when judged necessary).