Date:         Thu, 3 Jun 2010 23:07:27 -0400
Reply-To:     Discussion of Topics for Soccer Referees
              <[log in to unmask]>
Sender:       Discussion of Topics for Soccer Referees
              <[log in to unmask]>
From:         Jim Livingston <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      Re: No Soccer Content: Umpire admits he cost Tiger's pitcher a
              perfect game
In-Reply-To:  <4A8E0B13791742A4ADA06959FB975C52@cp>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Cal --

   "Ties go to the runner" -- that's a myth of the game of baseball /
softball.

   Umpires know that there are no ties.  That's why they hire us to decide
close plays.

   Correcting the call -- the first-base umpire makes almost all decisions
at first base --
   unless he realizes that he was blocked out from some critical
information, and
   asks for help before making a call.

   The result of such seeking of information may be --

      a)  Input to his decision-making.

      b)  An emphatic call by a partner who is sure that he saw the key
action
           determining the outcome.

      c)  A turn-back to the first-base umpire, when the helping umpire has
no
           useful information to contribute.

   It is very unhelpful for the first-base umpire to make a call, and then
to ask
   a partner for input.  Good officiating teams don't work that way.

   Here's one traditional exception to a play at first base that a different
umpire
   can make on his own volition --

   If the batter-runner does not run outside the foul line for the second
half of his
   trip to first base, and thereby interferes with a throw to a fielder at
first base,
   said umpire -- usually the home plate umpire -- can declare the
batter-runner out
   for interference, even though the first-base umpire may have already
called him
   safe for reaching first base before he, or it, has been tagged.

Jim Livingston


On Thu, Jun 3, 2010 at 10:31 PM, Calvin G Perry <[log in to unmask]> wrote:



> Half a step at first base happens all the time AND this was a FULL half
> step. Remembering that ties go to the runner - as I understand it - it was
> then not really that close! I still think that the official team should
> have
> corrected the call!
>
> CGP
>
> Calvin G Perry, O.D., F.A.A.O.
> 25 Timothy Drive
> Andover MA 01810
> (H) 978.475.5924
> (C) 978.204.3816
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Discussion of Topics for Soccer Referees
>  [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of James Kreuziger
> Sent: Thursday, June 03, 2010 18:22
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: No Soccer Content: Umpire admits he cost Tiger's pitcher a
> perfect game
>
> He was only "so obviously incorrect" when viewed on video (multiple angles)
> that was replayed in slow motion. I've seen numerous replays of similar
> plays where the incorrect call was made.  The only thing different here was
> that it was one out away from being a perfect game.   As much as I would
> like to think that a call on a play like that should be routine, it still
> was close (less than half a step).
>
> -Jim
>
> On Thu, Jun 3, 2010 at 2:47 PM, Calvin G Perry <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> > All of which is too bad - when "getting it right" is the goal. 23 years
> in
> > the majors and he could not change his mind (or ask for assistance) when
> he
> > was so obviously incorrect?? That's really a shame!
> >
> > Cal
> >
> > Calvin G Perry, O.D., F.A.A.O.
> > 25 Timothy Drive
> > Andover MA 01810
> > (H) 978.475.5924
> > (C) 978.204.3816
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Discussion of Topics for Soccer Referees
> > [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of doug smith
> > Sent: Thursday, June 03, 2010 16:44
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Re: No Soccer Content: Umpire admits he cost Tiger's pitcher a
> > perfect game
> >
> > Umpires ask each other for help all the time - but it's usually limited
> to
> > situations when another umpire has a better and/or
> > unobstructed/undistracted
> > view of what happened, such as a checked swing.
> >
> > There is no prohibition against asking for help, but I presume it would
> be
> > a
> > major down-check on any assessment/evaluation.  At the MLB level, the
> > umpires are expected to not get screened, to get in position to take a
> > complete and motionless mental snapshot of the situation, and make the
> > call.
> > The emphasis is on the last item on that list:  with MLB managers,
> > uncertainty and/or hesitation is like sprinkling blood in front of
> sharks.
> >
> > So, among high-level umpires, there is a strong cultural bias toward
> making
> > the call, and sticking by it.  Asking for help in a bang-bang play at a
> > base
> > is akin to saying, "Okay, partner, I'm not competent to be here, bail me
> > out."  And volunteering unsolicited help is akin to saying, "Okay,
> partner,
> > you're obviously not competent to be here, so I'm here to bail you out."
> > Neither are high-payoff events.
> >
> > This also manifests in something I heard once at an umpiring clinic.  Ask
> > any MLB umpire who the best umpire is in the world, and you'll get the
> same
> > answer:  me.  It's not egotism, it's a recognition of what is required to
> > succeed at that level.
> >
> > Doug Smith
> >
> > >
> > > ?? What is the Baseball rule about changing one's mind on a call? Is it
> > > forbidden? Are the other officials allowed to confer?
> > >
> > > CGP
> > >
> > > Calvin G Perry
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
> > Hotmail has tools for the New Busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your
> > inbox.
> >
> >
>
> http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:W
> > L:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_1
> >
>



-- 
.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .
[log in to unmask]