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					Originally Posted by  JJ
					 
				 
				If it's not assigned, how do you decide who does the plate - what if BOTH of you want it, and what if NEITHER of you want it? 
Flip a coin?  Senior umpire decides?   
Is there a way to gracefully say "I don't want it tonight?" without the other guy thinking I'm just dodging the dish? 
 
JJ 
			
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 Around here it is always  "assigned" plate or bases; it's a function in Arbiter.  Except for playoffs and "purpose"  assignments [evaluation or elephant hunting]  the position assignments are subject to change at the choice of the crew.
-I had the dish with these guys last time, would you mind?
-I've done my last three on the plate [/or bases, but you almost never hear that]; would you mind?
-This will be my first live pitching this season [all scrimages rained out - happened to me this year] - would you mind if I took the dish for this [JV]  game?  I'd like you to give me some eval. post-game.
In the event of  "conflict", the most senior/ highest rated  [in my assn. such positions are relatively unofficial/ informal, but generally well-recognised]  umpire makes the decision.  Never had it happen [disagreement]  in one of my games.  Helps that we get paid the same plate or bases; and official policy is EVERYONE brings plate gear to ALL games.