KenGibes
05-11-2009, 07:00 PM
I'm working a Juniors game on the bases with a young plate umpire (16). In the top of the first inning, with the count 0-2, the pitcher throws a round-house curve that buckles the batter but it comes in high across the plate. PU called it a ball and the pitcher's coaches all groan in unison from the bench. One of the coaches asks the catcher, "Where was that one, Greg?" The catcher replies, "It was a perfect curve ball."
My partner did nothing, and I wasn't sure if he was ignoring the remark, or if he didn't catch both ends of the conversation correctly, or if he was interpreting the catcher's comment to mean the curve was perfect but not necessarily a strike.
At that point, I wasn't sure what to do, but as the remarks could be clearly heard across the field, I called time and walked over to the coach who asked the question. I quietly explained to him that he shouldn't employ that tactic if he wants to keep his catcher in the game. As I anticipated, the coach didn't think that his question and the catcher's reply would be considered arguing balls and strikes. So, I explained why they could be construed that way and the game went on.
In our post-game, my partner admitted that he didn't hear the coach's initial question, so he wasn't sure what the catcher was saying when he made the comment about the curve ball.
Now that I've thought about it for a few days, I'm wondering if I jumped the gun, or if I may have been throwing my partner under the bus if he, indeed, had heard the comment and was choosing to ignore it.
Given this exactly situation as written, what would you have done (and why?)
My partner did nothing, and I wasn't sure if he was ignoring the remark, or if he didn't catch both ends of the conversation correctly, or if he was interpreting the catcher's comment to mean the curve was perfect but not necessarily a strike.
At that point, I wasn't sure what to do, but as the remarks could be clearly heard across the field, I called time and walked over to the coach who asked the question. I quietly explained to him that he shouldn't employ that tactic if he wants to keep his catcher in the game. As I anticipated, the coach didn't think that his question and the catcher's reply would be considered arguing balls and strikes. So, I explained why they could be construed that way and the game went on.
In our post-game, my partner admitted that he didn't hear the coach's initial question, so he wasn't sure what the catcher was saying when he made the comment about the curve ball.
Now that I've thought about it for a few days, I'm wondering if I jumped the gun, or if I may have been throwing my partner under the bus if he, indeed, had heard the comment and was choosing to ignore it.
Given this exactly situation as written, what would you have done (and why?)