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Don,
Absolutely go along with 1, 2, & 3, but have never run into #4.
I like to arrive early enough to walk a field, introduce myself to the coaches - those that don't know me anyway - and then let them know I'll be going back to the van (dressing room) to get ready. Way too many partners do just what you said - come so lae that I've got the plate and the only pre-game is walking to the field. Like you & most others, I prefer the plate.
We've got a guy in our association who is a good ump in every way except appearance & hygene. Mechanics, willingness, and every other area are really good. Uniform is always looking like it was wadded up in a closet since the last time he wore it. And he walks onto he field smelling kinda like I do after my sixth game of the day in 90degree heat with 90% humidity. I've got bald spots above my ears and a flat spot on my forehead from trying to talk to him about appearance.
I don't see too many guys with a chip on their shoulder. More often, I see folks who can't quite mange to not escalate a problem discussion with a coach. Way too much reactionary stuff from the ump and not enough of managing the sitation. This probably isn't put the best way, but I think most can figure out what I meant by that.
I'll add this to the list - partners who allow a team to gang up on their partner when a team is "calmly asking for an explanation for the basis of that last call." I try to work with a large number of new or inexperienced umps during the season. Any time my partner is involved in such a discussion, I will go interrupt with the statement "Excuse me, this needs to be a one on one discussion. Would all of you, except the had coach step away from this so my partner can continue the discussion with your head coach." So many of these partners have told me that no other partner has ever done that for them. From an experienced ump dealing with training and recruitment and all that - this is a real per peeve.
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Steve M
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