The Short Umpire

That is some pretty great imagery! Thank you for that!

I appreciate all the feedback on this post. I should apologize though because it probably wasn't a very tasteful question. I mean I've never walked onto a field wondering if my partner was going to throw a game for one of the teams and that shouldn't be anywhere near your pre-game thought process, since there are far more important things to worry about, things might I add, that won't destroy any trust that your partner has in you. Looking at the comments has been a good reminder for me to strictly have partner's back, but not being afraid to privately and tactfully tell him when I see something he can do better at. I say that because I always hope for my partners to notice at least one thing that I need to do better. Again I am new here and have learned a lot about the trade already and hope that I will learn a lot more from this great team here. Another thing I have realized, from experience and from other threads I have read is that as an umpire you will be hyper-analyzed by everyone, so it is crucial to not do things that even give off a bad appearance, like being too chummy with one teams parents through the back stop. It's just reminded me to not do things that could be twisted to fit a narrative where someone could accuse me of being the one to throw a game. Again, not the most tactful question for which I apologize but thanks for all the great feedback.

I'm not sure if you're saying it was my kid or my partner's but I certainly hope not since it was 13u ball and I'm only 23 and my partner 18. LOL

1. I completely agree. I probably didn't give quite as context as I could have, but I'm always open to being wrong, especially because from behind the plate I don't have the correct angle to really see that play. 2. I also agree. He had a great game and I don't question him, or his integrity. I've done lots of games with him and have known him for years. What I was really trying to say was that it was a weird coincidence that the only calls I would have called the opposite way were against the same kid. That being said some people would take that situation and possibly have doubts which got me to the hypothetical "what if I truly deep down suspected my partner of doing something like this?" I wasn't trying to accuse my partner, just kind of a day dream, but I should have chosen my words differently as to not give that impression.

I've always believed in backing up my partner's calls. I've also always tried to assume the best intentions from the people I work with. I understand that no umpire has the right to over-rule their partner. It starts all sorts of issues that no one needs. Today however I had two games. In the first game I was PU. Ground ball to F6 who bobbles the ball but makes the throw. Runner clearly beat the ball by full 2 steps but my partner calls him out. Second game the same team is playing a double header. I am now BU. Kid who got called out in first game is up to bat. Count is 3-2. Pitch is way down and out and PU rings him up. These were the only calls all game that I thought were wrong. Now I'm not accusing my partner of anything, but I found it interesting that the same kid got the short stick twice in the same night. But I was curious if any of you ever had a game where you really wondered if you partner wasn't calling the game straight up and how you handled it? Also, like I said I've never been one to advocate overturning my partner's calls but is there ever an appropriate time to do so? I would think not, no matter how bad the call because a coach can't appeal a judgement play like that. Also this I my first post and really appreciate everything I've learned from this website so far!