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As the senior umpire in almost every game I work, I always offer my partner his choice of plate or bases. If he wants the plate it tells me he is aggressive and eager to show me what he has. If he wants the bases it tells me he is either unsure or he wants to watch (and learn from) me. If he has no preference, I do NOT automatically take the plate (though I do very much enjoy working the plate). I tell him I don't have a preference either, and pull out a coin. "Heads I do it, tails you do it". That removes "choice of the winner" which we've already gone through. I don't offer insight during the game UNLESS it's a major problem "Oh, you DON'T wear a ballbag on the bases?"... but I will ask after the game if he'd like feedback. If he says "No", we part ways. If he says "Yes" I give it to him straight. If I see several things that need work, I will tell him what I saw and I will always suggest he "work on ONE thing at a time" when making changes to the way he works. I say the same thing at clinics - work on ONE thing at a time. It's easier to master one thing and get comfortable and move on to the next item than it is to experiment with a bunch of changes.
That's me rambling....
JJ
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