Re:
 

You are the first person I have ever heard discourage verbal communication with one's partner.

I doubt it would interfere with the fielders, since it is said by the umpire well before any fielder comes close to making a play.

I must agree with you on one point, though. When you've got two umpires who have been working together for a long time, and they are experienced, the verbal communication melts away. It becomes superfluous. You each know what the other is going to do on any given play.

But, if you're virtual strangers, it's always a good idea to communication verbally as often as needed, I think.

Pros and Cons
 

I agree, experience has much to do with whether you say anything or not. But I feel that if the PU is already doing their job, you can tell if you have the ball by what the BU does. But also, the BU has to do their job and go all the way out in the outfield.

I did work with a couple of guys this year, that did not go all the way out and kind of stayed on the edge of the dirt, it was a little difficult to tell if they were making the call or I had the call. But this depends on the experience of your partners and if you have worked together or not. But communication in almost every other situation is always good. I do not want you or anyone think you should not communicate, it is just that with no one on, it can be easier to tell what is going on, then in the other situations.

But the most important thing, is what you talk about in your pregame. That sets the table of the actions during the game.