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Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve
Now, I just saw another mechanic which has been generally shot down by certain members of this forum:
On a run that the Mets scored, the runner slid at home and touched the plate with his hand. The throw was a bit late, and up the 3rd base line a little, so there was no tag attempt on the runner. John Hirschbeck "plated" the run by pointing at the plate, indicating that the runner's hand had touched the plate.
Is this the accepted standard mechanic for this play? I usually do the same thing, but after reading many responses concerning the plating of runs, I was wondering if I should stop this practice. I never do it when the runner simply touches the plate standing up, only when he slides and touches the plate with an outstretched hand.
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Hirschbeck was great on the DP. I think one issue on pointing to the plate is consistency. I guess the bad circumstance is where a catcher has to try to remember which umpire points and which doesn't -- the downside is where the catcher expects the signal because another member of the crew has done it, so when he doesn't see it he chases after the runner trying to tag him perhaps needlessly letting a runner advance who would not have.