saw this question on the baseball forum about a week ago, posed by Pete Booth, a frequent poster and self-described “three-year” rookie umpire: “How important do you think it is to make your partner feel comfortable and also act as ‘one’ out there on the playing field?”

Dear Pete:

I have umpired for 16 years. I have worked high school, college, American Legion, PONY, Babe Ruth, various men's leagues and one, just one, minor league game. (Sick relief) In most of those games, whether two- , three- , or four-man mechanics, once on the field, I usually felt like I was working alone.

Before the game, my partner(s) and I get together for the pre-game conference. After the game, we often have a post-game critique along with a beverage or two. But in between, it is MY game. And I have learned that most of my partners feel the same.

Continued...