Expert: Andrew Senger - 6/17/2010

Question
Setting:  U10 Boys Travel Baseball Game, close game, extra innings.

Situation:  On a force play at second base, the field umpire signals that the runner was safe at second.  No one on the field--the field umpire, players or managers--questioned or complained about the call.  The field umpire did not ask the home plate umpire for any clarification or input.  However, the home plate umpire overruled the field umpire's call and called the runner out.  He said that he could see the play better (from behind home plate) versus the field umpire who was standing right behind second base when the play was made.

Question:  Can (and should) the home plate umpire override the field umpire's call even though no one on the field argued the call or asked for his input?

Thank you.

Answer
Lisa,

Simply: No.

An umpire should NEVER change the call of another umpire. If an umpire feels they may have been incorrect, they would ask the other umpires if someone saw it differently. If so, the original umpire MAY (not must) change their call.