Mistake made

Calls involve two things--judgement and rules. Judgement is what you decide are the facts of what happened, rules are the criteria that yield a result from those facts.

 

The only time you change a call after the fact is if a partner has additional information to help you decide the facts, or you have misapplied a rule (which may be mentioned by a partner or coach.)

 

 

Don't ever change a call after talking JUST with a coach.  Always consult your partner like Matt is saying.  If the other coach comes out and talks with you then you change your call you better be ready.  I'm coming out and we will have a come to whoever you want to say meeting to let you know what I think of your change.

All good info. Thanks

If your judgement is faulty sometimes, you're human. Only thing you can do is try to keep learning and getting better. As for the rules, I know how you feel. I am not an ump - but when I was in LL I did ump games as necessary, probably no more than 50 total. Once I agreed to go on the field, I did not want anybody ever catch me being wrong.  I read the rule book cover to cover. Then I read it again, then put an extra copy in the downstairs bathroom and kept going back to it.  I made my share of bad calls, but I can't remember any coach ever successfully challenging me on the rules.

 [Note: It took me a while to write this, so I didn't see the other answers, but I agree with Matt13 and coach2709.]

 

On a judgment call that is yours and yours alone (e.g., did the throw beat the runner)? Never.  Stay calm and let the coach have his say. Do not debate him. When he stops to catch his breath, say, "Sorry, Coach. I had him out. Call stands." Then turn around and go back to your position. Stick to your guns even if you think the coach might be right. You cannot overturn a judgment call based on a discussion with a coach: that would guarantee an argument from the other coach and chaos.

 

On a judgment call where your mechanics do permit you to get help from your partner (e.g., pulled foot or swipe tag at first)? Absolutely. Get help. Tell the coach you'll consult with your partner, but insist he await the decision from the dugout. Talk to your partner. If he offers information that convinces you to overturn your call, change it and explain why. If not, announce that the call stands.

 

On a rules question, let the coach have his say. Listen carefully. He might be right, and rule interpretations are what can be appealed. If you're not 100% sure of your interpretation, discuss with your partner. Take the time to get it right and give a fair explanation.

The other thing to remember is...

 

You are going to be incompetent to a degree. You're learning, just like the players you're officiating and the coaches that are coaching them (for the most part.) Work on what you can control (which I think you are doing by reaching out for advice and learning,) and learn from the mistakes you make (which will happen.) Don't let your desire for perfection get in the way of what you need to do to get close to it. I started out as a teenage umpire working LL twenty years ago. I did a lot of things wrong, and I learned from those experiences as well as others pointing out how I could do things better. It never changes--we all can do better as umpires, whether it's your first year doing kiddie ball, your twentieth doing college, or doing it as a full-time job in MLB. Keep looking to get better. It will keep you on the right path.

Good Advice from All.

 

We've all blown calls and it sucks.

 

Jim Joyce is the best umpire in the world and he "Kicked the shit out of a call." in Galaragga's 28 Out Imperfect game.  So it happens.  After you're done kicking yourself and after the coach has finished kicking you get over it and do your job.

 

Let the coach have his say.  Give him extra rope if you think he might be right, because you had a bad angle or just blew it or whatever.  When he's done go back and do your job.  If it's a blown judgement call.  You call a runner out at 2nd on a steal and you know that the runner got there first but you just botched it.  Well there isn't much you can do except eat it.  But if it's a pulled foot at 1st or a swipe tag at 1st you can and should ask for help if you're not sure.  That helps you get it right without a coach's assistance.

 

If it's a point of rule and you're unsure of the correct interpretation, then go ask your partner.  Hopefully he knows and you can get out of the mess.

 

Sometimes we have to eat a bad call, that's called judgement on our part and sportsmanship on the coach's part.  And usually that's where we have to take a beating by the coach and as long as it's not too bad we just deal with it and move on and nobody gets ejected.  Of course if he touches you or uses 4 letter words that's prohibited under Rule 3 and Rule 10 so go ahead and chunk him.  But if he's just mad but under control... well common sense says you need to give a long rope.  "The better to hang himself with."

 

But if it's a point of rule... You've got to get that right.  Nothing is worse than an umpire who doesn't know the rule.  So you have to study and read the rule book and know the rules forwards and backwards so that when these coaches try to trick you you won't be tricked and can bring it back to judgement.

 

We always want it to be about judgement.

 

They always want it to be about rule application/interpretation.

 

"Have them bring the fight to you where you are prepared.  Do not fight the enemy where they are prepared.  Surprise him by attacking where he does not expect it or cannot defend it.  Do not allow him to surprise you."

 

-- Sun Tzu, Commanding General to the 1st Emperor (Qi-In), The Art of War, 551 BC

Always admit when you made a mistake and always ask for help if your not completely sure of your call. If your hustling,have a great attitude ,and the coaches believe your doing everything you can to get the calls right,YOU WILL BE RESPECTED!!

Great question Trevor and great answers and advice by the guys.  I love how this site encourages umpires. No patronizing, just good advice.  With that said, your question (and previous posts) shows that you have the right attitude and an unquenchable thirst to improve.  That is the most important attribute an umpire can have.  I used to loose sleep at night after every game where I felt I made a call that I was not sure about.   Both with rules and judgement calls.  I felt like I would never reach a point where I could get through a game without something happening that I was unprepared to handle correctly.  It is something we all go through and it is the desire to get better that keeps us going.  Just continue to do your best and continue to study both rules and mechanics. Go to as many clinics as you can. There will come a day soon when you will step on the field with the confidence that nothing will happen during a game that you can't handle.  It takes a while but when you get there it makes umpiring one of the most enjoyable things you will ever do.  One of my mentors once told me; "don't be afraid to make a mistake, and if you do, make it big enough where we can fix it."  Be approachable but professional and firm with your on your judgement calls.  My best line on judgement calls is; "Coach I did my best with the call and I got the best look I could.  If I had your angle I might of had it differently, but we have to stay with what I have."  On rules calls, I always get help from my partner to make sure we both have it right to the best of our knowledge. And if something is fixable, we fix it.  It's never fun because the opposing coach is coming out for sure.  But I tell him that I will extend the same professional courtesy to him to make sure we get the calls right.  I've been at it for 15 years now and those situations almost never happens any more.  But when they do, that's how I handle it.    

Thank you to everyone who's replied. I appreciate all comments. I got to work about 10 games this year. I am, by far, a better umpire now than when I started the year(that's not really saying much) lol. I made a mistake in the last game with a blown call on a rules interpretation. Luckily, we got together and got it right. On a positive note, I got an infield fly double play correct so that made me feel great.
I am planning on attending an umpire school in Ct for 4 days this winter. Should give me a real good start to next season.