Obviously the umpire was sure of the count until it was brought up by the defensive coach. At that point if the evidence proves the umpire was mistaken in the count they have no option but to correct it. Simply saying sorry coach, I announced the count is not an option.
Ump messed up count--Batter called out.
- Thread starter Sessiedoo
- Start date
Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch
Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.
- Sep 29, 2014
- 2,421
- 113
^^^^^Exactly you can see why this simply can't work the way [MENTION=426]Comp[/MENTION] describes it....as "technically correct" as it might be
Last inning visiting team is down by one with bases loaded and two outs count is 3-1 umpire calls strike 2, coach I would like to point out that it was strike 3 he turns to the "home book" who says yes that was strike three; to which the umpire replies: Well you must be right GAME OVER. or better yet according to the "before the next batter rule" suppose the girl in this scenario hits a HR, then before the next batter, the coach says you know what I think she actually was out on strike three before she hit the HR the "home book" says yeah coach is right umpire now declares game over, good luck making it to the parking lot.
All I am saying is common sense has to apply, if I am the umpire (and I was even if it was only for 3 years) and I stated the count three times as 3-1 (I was always emphatic and loud which was probably the problem here) and the opposing coach wants strike 3 called you just look back at him and state what you have and let them know the scorekeeper mistakenly counted one of the pitches as a strike when in fact you called it a ball...the end.
The umpire WAS sure of the count and stated it THREE times.
Last edited:
You don't get to 'make up rules'. The rule is very clear - if it needs to be corrected before the next batter, then it gets corrected. The results of what happened after is irrelevant - it effectively didn't happen. The consequences are on you - but it is your JOB to get it right and follow the rules. I would hope I would get some help from my fellow official or scorekeepers or coaches - but if I didn't until after a play, then I have to go with what actually happened by rule. The reaction from the crowd to the decision doesn't come into it.
And yeah, when it happens it makes you as an official feel awful. It is your mistake. I haven't made this mistake in particular where it would have effected a game result, but I have made some ones that still haunt me and make me wince when I think about them. But in every case I did the job I was doing to the absolute best of my ability by the rules/mechanics I was taught to follow - even when I got it wrong.
Last edited:
- Sep 29, 2014
- 2,421
- 113
So does it every cross any ones mind that the scorekeeper could make a mistake? If I have 3-1 (called it out loud three times prior to play) , my other umpire has 3-1, the visitors book says 3-1...but the "home book" says no it was 2-2 so she is out...as the umpire I'm not reversing myself...feel free to protest away.
This why I hate quiet, meek, non demonstrative umpires...there should never be a doubt ever what the count is to anyone on the field or in the dugout, there is no doubt whether I called a ball or a strike.
I know in some sports the scorekeeper/timekeeper is part of the officiating crew or it is a paid job and responsibility and if that where the case then I would more than likely give in but if it is the "home scorekeeper" not so much.
Last edited:
It crosses my mind regularly. I lose the count more often than I would like to admit. For that reason, I'm generally a big fan of umps that announce the count after each pitch.
- Feb 7, 2013
- 3,188
- 48
My question is why is the batter continuing to question the call when the erroneous count is in her favor? If the umpire thinks its 3-1, after she asked for confirmation, then accept it. Sometimes calls work in your favor and sometimes they don't. The batter asking the umpire several times what the count is alerted the other coach to become aware of the count and subsequently get it overruled on a later pitch.
But in this case Comp, what the umpire told the batter effects her approach at the plate. Telling her that she has a strike to give and then taking it away? You just gave an advantage to the defensive team.
It is irrelevant. There is no rule that says a strike or ball magically disappears because the umpire said the count wrong. Both teams should be tracking balls and strikes and recognize that it doesn't match up with what you have and say something. A quick "Hey I got a full count are you sure?" - most PU will check with their partner and scorebooks if necessary to make sure they get it right if their is a dispute.
But if it does happen, the rule is clear. It is correctable before a pitch to the next batter and will be corrected. There is no grey area. And that might suck for someone (especially for the umpire who certainly doesn't want to make this error) but sometimes that is just going to happen.
