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In my other job, I hate meetings, some days all I do is go from meeting to meeting. So when I am the host of the meeting, if anyone drifts from my agenda I shut them up and quickly move back onto the topic on hand. I am known for having some of the quickest to-the-point meetings in my company. I think this also works for me at the plate meeting. When I am doing fast pitch, my meetings are very quick and professional.
Typical Fast pitch meeting:
"Hi, I am Bob, this is Pete."
Reminder about sportsmanship and safety.
Quickly cover unique tournament rules like time limits, and run ahead rules.
Review line up cards (if applicable). Start with the team to my left. "You are batting nine with three subs? Is this the way you want it? Okay that is
"Coaches are your Players properly equipped?" "Then why is this one wearing ear rings?"
"Home Coach please take us around your ground rules" (if applicable). During Tournament play I will deliver the ground rules.
"Are there any questions?"
Flip for home (double flip) "You are heads (the team to my left, I show them the head side), and you are tales (The team to my right, I show them the tales side)." Flip, let the coin hit the ground, "It is a head. Please call it in the air. I heard tales ... it is a head. What do you want home or away? Take the field. The game time starts now." (I know and you know that game time starts with the first pitch, but if the teams think we are on the clock they move just a little faster.)
. That is it, short to the point no fooling around. No comments on the rules, they better know them, because I do. However if they do ask a question I will do my best to quickly answer, but I will not provide a clinic. I will also not rehash past games or questions about what another umpire did or didn't do. While typing this took about an hour, that actual meeting usually last less than two minutes.
Bottom line plate meetings are important, they may be the first contact you have with a team as a team, it is important to show you are in charge, you know what you are doing, but you are also approachable if there is a question or problem. One thing I WILL NOT cover is, "If you have a question on a call, wait for time...." I hate that when other umpires do it, so I will not do it my self. Also joking with the players and coaches at this time is highly inappropriate and is something I will avoid.
Bugg
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