[tballump]

Going with a Merit system would actually be the best. In a true Merit system the best umpire should call the plate for every game. 2nd best umpire- 1st base every game, 3rd best- 2nd base every game, 4th best- 3rd base every game, 5th best- lf line every game and 6th best- rf line every game. This would be a true Merit system and don't worry, Bill Klem used to work every game behind the plate, so it can be done.

But, if you want to give all the others a chance at the plate in a merit based system, then use the above merit system and let them rotate. Let the #1 be CC and work 1st game, let the 6th and 5th rated umpires work the 2nd and 3rd game on the plate respectively. Then 4th, 3rd and 2nd best. #1 ump would work the 7th game. This way, 5 & 6 have important games but do not have a deciding game on the plate.

In a 5 game series, if you want to give others a chance at the plate, the #1 starts and then the number 5 works 2nd game, 4 works 3rd game and number 3 works 4th game and number 2 works 5th game. Number 6 does not get to work plate in 5 game series.

Best of 3--wow, if you want a little rotation rather than just let #1 work all of them, maybe use 1&2 and then 1 again.

The rotations could be done any number of ways. You could just rotate #1-4 on the plate and not #5 & 6, or 1,2,3 and not 4,5,6. Good luck whatever you decide.

Oh yes, and congratulations to KD for working the WCC conference finals.