The Old Blind Ump Joke - But for Real

How would you approach it if you were in a situation where you legitimately didn't think the umpire could see first base from between second and third? I ask because I saw this situation happen last weekend. And this isn't one of those "the ump cost the game" posts. He was equally bad both ways so it didn't effect the outcome. But I am pretty sure he couldn't see well enough to see plays at first from across the field. There were at least four plays in the game where it looked like he was guessing and guessed wrong. Only one of those I would say was a close play. The others were pretty obvious to everyone on both sides. We are talking the runner being a step from the base when the ball arrived and she was called safe. Everyone stayed civil (probably because it was both ways) and the coaches didn't even make a big deal out of it. The home plate ump was quite a bit younger and probably wouldn't have overruled him on anything but there's no way of knowing.

So, what recourse would there be other than asking the home plate ump for help? Is there any? And should something have been said to the UIC after the game just to give him a heads up? Or does that just sound like coaches/parents whining about officiating?

Maybe strike up a conversation with him about the benefits of LASIK surgery..? (after the game of course…)

That's a conversation to have with whoever is in charge of umpires.

If he is equally bad on all calls I wouldn't make a huge stink about it during the game. The alternative is one umpire or no umpires which is tough.

You also can't have umpires overruling other umpires if everyone has the same information....that would turn into a mess.

Admittedly that is a crappy place to make calls at first from. It isn't easy. We'd all love to have 3 or 4 umps so that call wouldn't have to be made from a less than ideal spot. If he was older and had mobility issues, that could contribute to poor positioning to make a good call.

The feedback, to the umpire in charge, or tournament director, should be specific (assuming he was fine everywhere else). "The field umpire seemed to struggle with calls at first base from the C position. He may need some work on positioning." That's respectful, honest feedback. If I were his partner, that's the feedback I would give him personally after the game.

We once had an ump with an eye patch on his left eye. The other team was leaving first 2-3 steps early and he never noticed.

I did not agree but HC Was able to boot ump after talking to tournament director.

MightyMO said:

He was equally bad both ways so it didn't effect the outcome.

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This reminds me of a varsity high school game I attended last year in another sport. The athletic director (who was the "athletic director of the year" for our region the year before) actually made an announcement during the game that "The officials tonight are very bad, but they are bad for both sides. We're just going to have to deal with it." This was loud enough to be heard on the field. I was shocked. I happen to know that the officials in question work major national tournaments at the highest level. They were not bad at all. After the game I told the athletic director that his comments were completely inappropriate and his response was that "I said they were bad for both sides." I was dumbfounded.

My understanding is that the best way to "win" an argument like that is to be able to justify that the other umpire would have additional information on the play (I'm really wording this poorly - sorry!). Additional info in the form of "Hey Jim, did you have her out on the throw? I know the ball beat her, but I don't know if the P blocked your view of her foot coming off the bag - can you check with your partner?"

If it's a straight up judgement call (he was properly positioned, clean play, etc.), then I think your chances are greatly diminished. As I'm sure you know, you need to go first to the umpire making the call - it's their prerogative whether they ask for help or not.

At least it sounds like it balanced out. With a two man crew, I'm assuming this was a tournament game - I would be hesitant to argue in this scenario unless it was bracket play, the game was on the line, or the calls were all favoring the other team.

But I'm sure several of our member umpires will be chiming in soon as well.

MightyMO said:

There were at least four plays in the game where it looked like he was guessing and guessed wrong.

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What did he do to make you think he was guessing?

First, I would start by finding out where to register to become an umpire.

Next, after registering, recruit others.

The shortage of umpires is keeping guys and gals around who probably should hang it up. I worked with two guys this week who were both past 75 and weren't moving so well. I saw a recent news story on a baseball umpire who is 85 and has been calling the game for 50 years. It's a heartwarming story, but it didn't look so good.

Talking to the TD or UIC after the game was the best move.