Was this appropriate?

[umpire_scott]

Working an 11U tournament last night. Runner coming to third on a steal. Catcher throws a strike to third but runner appears to beat it. Ball literally lands in glove that is in the air about a foot in front of the bag as runner is sliding in. From PU position I thought he got in just before the tag. My partner slowly goes over and gives one of the slowest and latest safe signs I've ever seen. I thought it made him look really unsure of his call. It almost looked like he was waiting to see the ball. The defensive team fans even started yelling "Show him the ball", but then he signaled the slow safe sign.

When I went to get a drink between innings one of the fans politely asked me about the call. Since I did think the call was right I affirmed it. When the fan asked me about my partner's delay I just said I think he was making sure the foot had actually reached the bag. A half inning later I asked my partner about it and he said due to the awkward slide he thought the runner foot might come off the bag and that's why he hesitated.

So in that case do you sell the call with the emphatic safe, and risk the foot coming off and having to change it to out? Or do you delay your call like my partner did and risk looking unsure of your call?

[24sdad]

You wait (timing) until the play is complete and then make your out or safe call. This is no different than a steal at 2nd where F6 receives the throw and puts his glove down in front of the base, where R1 slides into it. Bang bang play, with dust flying, bodies colliding, etc. Are you going to immediately punch R1 out "to sell your call?" Or are you going to make sure once the dust clears the ball isnt rolling around on the ground and then punch him out? HTBT on your situation, but the weak "safe" signal probably did contribute to it appearing BU was unsure, however, waiting until the play is complete before making a call is good timing.

[24sdad]

When I went to get a drink between innings one of the fans politely asked me about the call. Since I did think the call was right I affirmed it.

This has me a little curious...what would you have said if you didn't think the call was right?

[scrounge]

When I went to get a drink between innings one of the fans politely asked me about the call. Since I did think the call was right I affirmed it.

This has me a little curious...what would you have said if you didn't think the call was right?

Yea, I was thinking the same thing. Here's a hint, scott: the proper answer is, if you have to give an answer, "absolutely it was the right call". No matter what you think of the call. Period.

[NCAAump2]

I think the better question might be, why are you talking to fans in the first place?

[umpire_scott]

When I went to get a drink between innings one of the fans politely asked me about the call. Since I did think the call was right I affirmed it.

This has me a little curious...what would you have said if you didn't think the call was right?

Yea, I was thinking the same thing. Here's a hint, scott: the proper answer is, if you have to give an answer, "absolutely it was the right call". No matter what you think of the call. Period.

Well obviously I would never say I thought the call was different. If he clearly blew the call I would probably say that I didn't see anything from my angle that would cause me to differ, and say that was why the call was his because he had the best view.

[umpire_scott]

I think the better question might be, why are you talking to fans in the first place?

I wasn't talking to fans. I was getting a drink. The fan asked me a question while I was getting a drink.

[NCAAump2]

Fair enough...my point was it's normally not a good idea to get involved with any conversations with fans, even if you don't initiate the conversation.

[umpire_scott]

Fair enough...my point was it's normally not a good idea to get involved with any conversations with fans, even if you don't initiate the conversation.

Yeah I try to avoid it.