Asking for Help and Changing Calls

by Tom Anstett

MISTAKE!

First off, if you make a call, you are telling everyone that you saw the play, you've processed the information from the play and you made you're decision. If you weren't sure about something on the play and you don't have all the information you need to make your decision, you ask for help before you make your decision, remember it's still your call, you're only asking for help to get more information in order to make a decision. Don't throw your responsibilites on your partner.

If you ask for help just because the coach wants you to, you will be asked to go for help on every close play, by both coaches, all game long. If you constantly ask for help, you might as well leave the field, because your partner doesn't need you if he has to do your job also. Don't let the coach push you around, tell him or her that "I saw the play, I don't need any help, this is my call and the call stands" Whether your decision(judgement) was right or wrong, stick with it, if you change one call, the coaches will want you to change every call that they don't like. Also, when you change a call you have to deal with the other coach who now also has an argument with you.

Remember, you can change your own call in certain situations, but you must do it immediately. For example, if you make an out call, and your timing was to quick after the call you see the ball loose on the ground - change your own call immediately, get the play right. This is never going to look good, but you'll get the call right. Never, never make a call, think about for a while and then change it, you will loose all your credibility.

Plays that you might need to ask for help, in order to get more information:

Swipe Tags

If in doubt - ask first - before you make any call. If you make a call,~ any call - DON'T ASK!

On swipe calls you ask "did he tag him?" Your partner should answer "yes he did" or "no he didn't" and then you make your call.

If you ask for help and can't get it - the runner is SAFE!! You will only be asking if you didn't see, or if you weren't sure of the tag You can't penalize the runner for something you didn't see. NOTE: on swipe tags-up to the 3 foot lane~ it is the plate umpires call.

Pulled Foot

On a pulled foot you ask "did he pull his foot?"

If you ask for help and can't get it - the runner is OUT!! You will only be asking if the ball beats the runner to the bag. You have to assume the fielders foot is on the bag until you know for sure that it wasn't

Batter hit by batted ball

Hit batter in the box (by batted ball)- immediate help should be given by partner by calling "DEAD BALL" or "fOUL BALL" depending on the way the league handles the call.

Plate Umpire - never ask for help in this situation. Base umpire should be yelling immediately if he saw batter get hit with a batted ball.

Coaches love to come out and want you to get help on this - DON"T! Tell the coach "if my partner saw anything, he would have said something immediately."

Batter hit by pitched ball

Don't ask for help concerning batter being hit by a pitch, you (plate ump) are 18" from batter, your partner is 90' away.

Four considerations for giving or asking for help .....

1. Never offer help unless it is asked for.

2. Only ask for help when you absolutely, positively need it.

3. If you kick the call - DON'T get your partner involved to try to fix it

4. Live and Die with your call

Four calls that can be legally and properly changed ....

1. Calling a ball on a half-swing (check swing). On appeal or if your not sure of the call yourself - ask for help - change if necessary. Don't be afraid to ask for help, good idea to do so, takes pressure off catcher from coach.

   NEVER ask for help on a called strike ( You point at batter & say "Yes he went" )

   Strikes, outs and foul balls are forever and cannot be reversed. You never ask for help for them once they are called. If you are going to ask step out from behind the catcher, yell to your partner loud and clear "Did he go?" ... no pre-planned responses from partner - Get the call right!!

   Note: check swings have nothing to do with the wrists, only concerns are with the barrel of the bat

2. Improper rules application. Example: if partner awards wrong amount of bases - step in, confer with partner and change the call

3. On tag plays only - loose ball situation your partner sees the ball on ground while you're calling "OUT" (result of poor timing) move into the area quickly and straighten out the call.

4. Two umpires making simultaneous opposite calls. One call has to be changed immediately

   Note: every safe call adds approximately 5 minutes to a half inning

Tom Anstett lives in Palm City, Florida and has an extensive background as an umpire and umpire trainer. For more information on Tom click here.