Have you ever told a player/coach you blew a call?

[heyoh]

I have minimal experience umpiring (under 10 games) but played through college.  I can only think of one instance when an umpire told me he blew a call.  It was the summer after high school and about 3-4 months after the incident took place.  The incident had taken place with my high school team (completely different set of players from my summer league team) and it had been over a rules interpretation (he got it wrong in our favor) not a judgement call.

 

The other close instance I can remember is when I was catching, play at the plate, I think I've got the plate blocked, I tag him, umpire calls "safe" I look back and the runner is a good foot from touching the plate (as in I had him blocked) I instinctly yell "no, no plate" (I think this is the only time I've argued in my 17+ years of playing).  Two batters later as the next batter is coming to the plate, he tells me "boy, that was a really close play we had there" then three innings later, unprompted, he goes "that was a close play we had a few innings back." 

 

Was that his way of telling me he blew the call?  Is that standard?  Do you guys ever straight up admit you blew the call? I get the feeling if you did, players/coaches would be on you all game.

[Rulekeep]

Yep and I'm more respected for it.

[maineump]

If there is a good relationship between the catcher and plate guy - sometimes things come up in conversation - like that conversation you had.

 

Remember, the plate guy and the catchers have close contact all game. No other umpire on the field has that kind of contact on the field.

 

The plate guy needs to be careful what he says, as it may come back to bite him though.

 

As to the OP? Sort of I guess I might have. Been doing this a long time and hard to remember the last game sometimes. I think generally what might be admitted as 'missed' is pitches. Working with the catchers will help fix the misses.

[refump10]

Yes, I have admitted to kicking a call.  I've done it more than once.  Happens more often in basketball than in baseball.  Maybe once or twice a year, I'll go tell the coach that "I'd like to have that one back" or "hey Coach, I kicked it, you know and I know it. But I'm working real hard and it won't happen again."  Sometimes you just gotta own it.  It can be a great diffuser for a coach who is on the verge of losing it.  It's a game management tool, but one that had better not come out of the toolbox more than once or twice a season.  Any more than that, and you probably have some issues yourself. 

My $.02

[Tksjewelry]

I've definitely kicked calls, it's my first year and did over 250 games. I kicked calls all the time, especially in the spring, but I learned from them and didn't make the same mistakes again. Sometimes I apologized to the coaches, sometimes the catchers, and sometimes I just beat myself up at home later. There were many calls after games to the UIC to find out if I was wrong or to let him know I totally blew a big call. I had a few coaches early in the year who called to complain about a call and were completely shocked that I had already called the UIC to "tell" on myself. Most of them I had after that and they were impressed that I did. They never gave me issues on the field after that as they understood I fessed up to the mistake and made the effort to find out how not to let it happen again.

[Richvee]

I did it this year. had the plate for a semi final 50-70 game. GB double play ball. R1 doesn't slide into 2nd. Comes in straight up, probably..(Ok..he did) hinder the throw to 1st. For whatever reason, I don't call a FSPR. DC starts in "he has to slide, that's INT..." . Again, not sure why I didn't call it...Let's just say bad decision and I've leaned from it. Anyway, inning ends, no runs scored. DC is now heading out to coach 3rd and he mentions it again...Said something like, "How could miss that? That runner clearly interfered with my fielder's throw"... He wasn't crazy, just a normal talking voice level.. I said "Would it help if I told you I kicked the crap out of that? It absolutely should have been INT and a DP". He stops, looks me in the eye and says, "I appreciate that.  Nobody's perfect". No problems the rest of the game.

 

I do think  in certain situations it's OK to admit it. Descretion is key here as to when it will work and when you're better off just keeping quiet. 

 

Depending on the relationship with some F2's, I have also been known to admitting to F2 I missed a strike. Again, can't over do it, and you better have a decent rapport with the said F2. 

[grayhawk]

AAU Tournament - 14U.  I'm BU.  With R1 and 1 out, the batter hits a grounder to F4.  As R1 is approaching second, I hear the first base coach yell, "Break it up!"  Well, now my spidey senses are tingling thinking that R1 may do something he shouldn't.  However, he slides legally and I call the out and F6 throws to first which I turn with and bang the out on the BR.  As soon as I banged it, I knew I got it wrong.  The 1B coach says "NO!" but that's it.  They accept the (missed) call without another word.

 

Well, the BR on that play happened to be F3 and when he came out to take warm ups, he very respectfully said, "Did it just beat me?"  I just shook my head and said, "I missed it - you beat the throw."  He just smiled and said "no worries, blue" and that was the end of it.

[blue23ll]

Sure, I have, and I would hope most of us do admit it, on  the rare occasions that we blow a call.  There are times when we have a brain fart, or we are out of position and have bad angle. We do our best to get in the best possible position to make a call. If we are hustling and working hard and just blow the call, why not tell the coach that. "Hey John, I just really kicked that one, it won't happen again". If it doesn't happen often, the coaches will respect you for admitting it. If I am in the best possible place to see a play, and the coach doesn't like the call, I will probably tell him, "Joe, if I was standing where you are, I might agree with you, but from where I saw it, he looked (out, safe)".  Again, that supposes you were in the right spot to begin with. 

 

Now with the catcher, if its a close one, I might say something like, "that just missed, bring it (up, in) just a little". If I just plain missed a pitch, I will say, "throw that again and it will be a strike". 

[Pete Peterson Sr]

I had a play in a JuCo game, ball hit to F6, who kicks it around. In my head I said "Never get him". Now you all know what happened: he was thrown out, and I called "safe". This was shortly after a throw to third that failed to retire a stealing runner ( I got that one right, for what it is worth), so out comes the coach, who is known as a pretty level-headed guy. Coach: " I know I'm not gonna get every close call, but they probably won't all go against me". Pete: "Coach, if I had that one to do over, I'm pretty sure you would like the outcome. I'll buckle down." Coach: That's all I can ask, Pete". He came to the locker room after the game, and had kind words for both my partner, and myself. I chalked the call up to being a refresher lesson on never deciding what will happen before it happens.

[Jimurray]

I did it this year. had the plate for a semi final 50-70 game. GB double play ball. R1 doesn't slide into 2nd. Comes in straight up, probably..(Ok..he did) hinder the throw to 1st. For whatever reason, I don't call a FSPR. DC starts in "he has to slide, that's INT..." . Again, not sure why I didn't call it...Let's just say bad decision and I've leaned from it. Anyway, inning ends, no runs scored. DC is now heading out to coach 3rd and he mentions it again...Said something like, "How could miss that? That runner clearly interfered with my fielder's throw"... He wasn't crazy, just a normal talking voice level.. I said "Would it help if I told you I kicked the crap out of that? It absolutely should have been INT and a DP". He stops, looks me in the eye and says, "I appreciate that.  Nobody's perfect". No problems the rest of the game.

 

I do think  in certain situations it's OK to admit it. Descretion is key here as to when it will work and when you're better off just keeping quiet. 

 

Depending on the relationship with some F2's, I have also been known to admitting to F2 I missed a strike. Again, can't over do it, and you better have a decent rapport with the said F2.

What org has a FPSR for 50/70?

[Jimurray]

Catcher, respectfully, "what was the matter with that pitch?"

Me: "nothing, I effin missed it"

[Richvee]

 

I did it this year. had the plate for a semi final 50-70 game. GB double play ball. R1 doesn't slide into 2nd. Comes in straight up, probably..(Ok..he did) hinder the throw to 1st. For whatever reason, I don't call a FSPR. DC starts in "he has to slide, that's INT..." . Again, not sure why I didn't call it...Let's just say bad decision and I've leaned from it. Anyway, inning ends, no runs scored. DC is now heading out to coach 3rd and he mentions it again...Said something like, "How could miss that? That runner clearly interfered with my fielder's throw"... He wasn't crazy, just a normal talking voice level.. I said "Would it help if I told you I kicked the crap out of that? It absolutely should have been INT and a DP". He stops, looks me in the eye and says, "I appreciate that.  Nobody's perfect". No problems the rest of the game.

 

I do think  in certain situations it's OK to admit it. Descretion is key here as to when it will work and when you're better off just keeping quiet. 

 

Depending on the relationship with some F2's, I have also been known to admitting to F2 I missed a strike. Again, can't over do it, and you better have a decent rapport with the said F2.

What org has a FPSR for 50/70?

 

It was a 4th of July tourney using FED rules. ..Triple Crown sports. 

[th3]

yes

[conbo61]

JV game this spring, 3-2 count pitch right on the edge - "Ball!". Under my breath just loud enough for F2 -" $hiiitt".

It was right about then the DC really let me have it and I could think of was "You are absolutely right. You will get no argument from me."

After that the game got VERY interesting and I was sweating bullets.

[mjr_2013]

Wow, you guys must really suck, I never miss a call.   

[blue23ll]

I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken.

[BillKen]

My way of telling a catcher that I missed one is this:  "Joe, that was a really close pitch and I don't want you to be afraid to come back to that spot.  I'd like to see that one again."  They always understand what I'm saying"between the lines"!

[jjb]

I don't make a big deal about it. Usually, it's a loud "Ball", followed by a soft "Ah, Crap". The catcher chuckles, and we go on with the game

[Thunderheads]

sure.  did it this summer during a Pastime tournament, 18u ......

 

great F2, w/ F1 bringing some decent heat, and hitting his spots.  I balled a pitch that was strike 3 ....(bad timing I guess) ....I got a respectful, "that's strike 3 sir" ....that was it.  After the 1/2 inning, coach came over to me, again, quite and very respectful .... "Jeff, ...that pitch on that batter looked really good from the dugout, and I know I can't argue balls and strikes but can I ask where it was?"   Me: "Sure John, ...strike 3, ....I effin' missed it, sorry"   He smiled and said "thanks, much appreciated" and walked away.    Next 1/2 as I was brushing off home plate, I quietly told F2 about the pitch and my conversation w/ his head coach .... he in turn said, "no problem blue, I understand...it's all good, it's just a baseball game" ................

 

It shows we're all human, period.  And, quite honestly, it's an issue that most umpires create for themselves .... being TOO arrogant and unapproachable.  When these things happen (as discussed here) the team/coach/player think to themselves .... "they're human too!"

[Umpire in Chief]

I like many others have owned up to kicking a call. 

 

But here's my advise on admitting you blew a call:

1. Admit it sparingly
   - if you do it too much you look incompetent 
2. Other than pitches I am not going to tell a player.
   - They will shove it up your @$$ faster than a coach
   - The story which makes it back to the coach may will not be the same.
   - Only admitting to coaches keeps you in control of the situation.
3. Be certain you kicked it
   - I made a call I was not 100% certain if I was applying the rule correctly, Coach came out gave me heck argued his point well and I doubted myself even more. I never admitted I had a doubt. Post game with my partner (evaluator) he said it was a good and correct call.
4. Know your situation
   • What is your history with the coach
   • Have you told him this before?
   • What is his demeanor?
5. Will admitting the missed call escalate the situation?
   - That is the definition of grabbing the dirty end of the stick. Stay away.
6. Does the coach know what he's talking about? 
   - I'm not saying take advantage of know-nothing rec coach Dad, but coaches in the know deserve to be treated with respect for their knowledge.
7. Be prepared for what happens next
   • Can it be fixed?
     - If so, fix it and fix it quickly. IMO dragging things out only makes things worse.
     - If it is fixable and you don't, be prepared for the consequences
   • If not - be prepared to correctly and concisely explain why it can't. 
8. NEVER

• Blame a player or coach for your missed call
  - "If your guy just fielded it cleanly we wouldn't have this situation
• Blame it on too few umpires
  - If you had 2,3,4,6 umpires we might have been able to get that call.
  - If you don't have enough umpires, don't accept the game.
• Throw your partner under the bus
  - It was your call own it.
  - Pretend to confer with your partner
• Lie - self explanatory
• Make excuses
  • Basically lying
  • Makes you look weak 

 

Now here are my thoughts on why not to:

• Requires you to talk too much/ too much interaction with coach
  • The more you talk the more likely you are to misspeak even if you are correct. 
  • I work hard at keeping my dialogue with coaches to a minimum the less they can use against you
  • Entertaining / or engaging in conversation welcomes other conversations.
• Everything that you say will be held against you at some point
• You may get too comfortable doing this.
  - I've seen people who are IMO too comfortable doing this. It appears they believe that fessing up gives them a get out of jail free card. They fall back on this rather than improving their hustle, positioning, mechanics, knowledge ...
  • It is like selling the mess out of a routine call; it looses effect when you need it  the most.
• Just because they are arguing with you doesn't mean they know you've blown a call; even if you did.
  - How many times have you had a coach argue with you on something ridiculous where you are 100% correct and they are 100% wrong. 
  - Going back to the coach's knowledge
  ​     - If they don't have a clue don't reward them for stumbling onto your mistake
• Is it really going to make a difference if I admit it?

[Forest Ump]

If it's a pitch, I might say "That was close. Might even be a strike next time".

 

I had a possible obstruction call that I may have missed. The HC came out to argue with me. I told him, "Bob, I'm not saying your wrong, but this is what I got. I'll work harder out here".

 

As others have pointed out, use this very sparingly. Anything you tell a player instantly becomes rat mail and gets broadcast to the whole damn dugout.

[CricketChapman]

Very rarely will I do this.  Maybe once per season, and never on anything but a ball/strike.

Example from this summer:  18U Tournament.  5th inning, close game, haven't heard a word from either side - I'm confident that I'm calling a great game.  Then a 2-0 pitch comes in shoulder high and I inexplicably "strike" it.  BR just kinda freezes, looks back, then steps out to takes his hacks without saying a word.  Even F2 was stunned.  I didn't hear a word from the offensive dugout - I think they were stunned, too.  It was just one of those occasional moments where you know you miss one for whatever reason (this case, probably poor timing).

Before BR steps back in, I say, "Hey batter, I f#*cked that one.  My bad."  BR just grinned and said, "It's all good, blue.  That's why I get three of them."

[soapbox]

Still waiting to make my first mistake so I can own up to it! But seriously, I thought I was the only one who admitted a mistake. Feel great knowing others do also.

[bam]

Had a Legion game last year.  Late innings of a close game I called a strike that was up and in.  I immediately regretted it because I hadn't called that pitch all game.  Batter looks at me quickly and as he turns back to watch the pitcher says "Blue, you haven't called that all game".  I know the kid and his family and said "You're right (insert name) and It won't happen again".