Girls fastpitch umpire responsibilities

Question
Thanks for the very quick answer to my previous question. The followup is somewhat hypothetical but interesting. Same situation as above ... the tag play takes place a few feet up the baseline. The runner slides to avoid the tag and comes up short of the plate. Because she did not feel a tag she gets up and touches the plate. Meanwhile, the catcher, having heard the homeplate ump make the out call, leaves the runner alone because there is another runner on base to worry about. There is a chance she could have tagged the original runner again if she had stayed with the play. The home plate ump is convinced to check with the base ump because he did not have the best view of the tag. The base ump informs the plate ump that he had an excellent view and that no tag was made. So, technically, the runner is safe but the wrong call by the plate ump possibly influenced the subsequent play. Should the plate ump reverse his decision or stick by the original call?
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Followup To

Question -
Runner caught in rundown between third and home, close play at the plate. Questionable whether catcher got the tag on or whether runner is too far off basepath, but homeplate ump calls runner out and indicates verbally that the tag was made. Opposing coach demands that the third base ump be consulted which the umpire agrees too. The third base ump gives the safe sign and the run scores. Specific questions: Is the home plate ump obliged to consult the base ump? Can the home plate ump's ruling be reversed? Have you ever seen a play at home decided by a base ump sixty feet away?

Answer -
Hi Mike,

This is a tough question because it involves variables we don't know.

On a run down usually in a 2 umpire system the umpires will most likely pick up the front and back door.  It is a dynamic situation and sometimes the umpire's position could be better when something happens.  With 2 outstanding umpires that usually doesn't happen but I have to deal with the real world.

So we have a run down, and an out call.  A coach can "ask" if the umpire might have been blocked out, poor angle, etc.  IF the umpire feels that might have been the case they can go to their partner but it is their decision to do that. The 2 umpires get together and discuss the situation (in private as much as possible). The other umpire should never make the call, it is still the responsibility of the the umpire that made it.  

The umpire that made the call should then call both managers onto the field.  "Coach, I was blocked out and this is what my partner has, the runner was out of the basepath and we have an out" or "Coach my angle was a little poor but my partner has then same call and we have an out" or "Coach, I was partially blocked out and my partner had a good angle and look, has no tag and we have a safe".  Any change in the call is based on new information that is provided by the partner.

I have seen calls reversed when the partner gives new information to the umpire that made the call who felt they might not have had the best look.  I can tell you the overriding principle in these discussions is "to get the call right"!

Mark


Answer
Hi Mike,

Interesting question.  

I think my 3rd example is a little misleading...I was just looking to give a quick safe example.  I did't mean to imply that I had a tag and an out and my partner didn't.  I was probably going to my partner as the defense claimed a tag I didn't see.

Your question would probably not happen in a game because on a tag out we "never quess the runner out".  I would actually have to see the tag before I gave the out call...as such I would need no help from my partner on that one.

Your scenerio would create a number of problems for an umpire's credibility in that game and would make life difficult...the offense would of course be happy but the defense would probably politely object.  To be honest if I don't go to my partner, I don't have those problems, simply an out at the plate and we move on.  

Mark