Only the “call” needs to be “right”–not the UMPIRE

Q:  Earl have you ever reversed a decision that you have made (or seen in a game) that was argued by a coach or a player? –Jonathan McCoy

A:  Jon, Ah, good question…If I make a call that I am relatively certain is correct, I do not ask for the opinion of my fellow umps on the field.

That is, if I get a “good look” at the runner sliding into third base, after running from home plate, I stick with it
Now, if I feel that I did NOT get a “good look” at the play, then I might offer to confer with the base umpire to see if he got a better angle on the play. If he is certain that he got a better angle and disagrees with my call, I would consider reversing it.

In 52 years on the field, I reversed maybe less than a half-dozen calls.

[NOTE:  I usually worked with myself behind the plate and one base umpire and occasionally alone.  Typically, a two man umpiring crew will give first and second base calls to the base umpire and home and third base calls to the plate umpire.  Also, the base umpire, when he is stationed at first base, makes the fair/foul calls on the first base side, but only after the ball has passed the bag; the plate umpire makes the call until it passes the bag.]

EXAMPLE:  Last year at the local All-Star Tournament, I was behind the plate for the Championship game. My base umpire was about 2/3 of the way from first to second base and there were runners on first and third.

The catcher suddenly threw to third to catch the runner off the bag. I was partially blocked by the right-handed batter and the catcher, so I did not get a good look at the play. I called “SAFE!” And, as I expected, the defensive team’s manager came out to disagree. I told him I would confer with my base ump to see if he got a better look.

The base ump said that he could clearly see that the runner was tagged out.

I reversed the call and then explained it to the other manager.

With only a home and base umpire, it takes coordination and hustle to cover “all the bases.”

Umpires need to keep their ego out of the game; they owe it to the game to swallow their foolish pride, when needed, to get the call right.  An ego maniac umpire can ruin a game; an excellent umpire should hardly be noticed.

Some umpires say that there are no “close calls,” the runner either beat the throw to first base, or he didn’t–there is never a tie.  Simple physics says that it is possible; due to the limitations of human perception, there will appear to be exact ties, but they are rarities.

Umpires are told to watch the play on the throw to first and also listen to notice if they hear the sound of the ball hitting the glove, before the sound of the foot hitting the base, or vice-versa.  Again, the limitations of the human hearing apparatus may result in it appearing to an umpire that the two sounds occurred simultaneously.  And, although, as kids we all shouted “The tide goes to the runner!” or “The tie goes to the runner!” it does not say that in the official rules.

In my experience, although they are rare, there are times when a pitch could be called either way; especially by two human umpires.  It is possible that a catcher may tag a runner at the same nano-second that the runner touches home plate and it may appear to be a dead “tie” to that one umpire.  But, he does not have the option to yell “TIE!”  In the vast majority of cases, the umpire can discern which event occurred just before the other.

My advice is to make your best call; then follow my advice above about getting a good look.

Even at my advanced age, when there is a slide into home plate, I get down on both knees and rest on my arms to get about a foot, or less, off the ground to get my best look at the runner’s feet and the catcher’s glove.  One time, although it appeared to everyone else at the game that the runner had touched the plate a second before the catcher applied the tag, I call him “OUT!”  The crowd booed and yelled and one manager came rushing toward me.

I told the upset manager that his runner’s foot DID get to the plate prior to the tag; but, his foot glided ABOVE the plate and never touched it.  I said:  “You saw where I was when I made the call; don’t you think I had a better look than you did?  He grudgingly agreed.  I announced to the crowd:  “The runner’s foot slid OVER the plate, but never touched the plate.  It is a good example of why an umpire must make his best effort to get his best angle on and view of the play.

The only thing that needs to be “right,” is the call, not the umpire.

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