While I am sure that inequities occur and in some places they may even rule the day, the JC and HS groups that I have been fortunate enough to be apart of operate under the rule that the officials decide who works where, we teach the younger officials in class that it is best to alternate plate/base with let’s say George, every time you work with him, just flop what you did last time. Occasionally, you or your partner will want to work the plate/base for a specific reason and that is okay. The system works for us.

I agree with Garth, there is no reason to pay the plate umpire more than the base guy.

Here is how we do things here:

When working with a partner who you've never worked with before, the senior official (not the oldest, but the one with more years in the association) has the choice of plate or bases.

The next time you work with this same official, you alternate plate/base.

Pretty simple. Payment doesn't enter in to the scenario, so there is no hogging the plate.

I know some guys who keep very accurate records of who's turn it is, some dating back years. I've said, "your turn, right?" only to hear, "nope, remember 4 years ago up there at..."

Same way around here. It works well. The big dogs dont need to be policed or told what to do. The plate dodgers who show up 10 minutes before game time...well thats another story. Any recommendations on those people?

Fortunately for us, the association is very swift in hauling people like that before the Board. People who show up just before game time to avoid plate duty would be dealt with severely, as in suspended or expelled from the group.

What do you do with the guy that shows up 10 minutes before the scheduled start time wearing plate pants and ball bags thinking he's on the stick for the game?



Tim.

We don't have that problem here normally, because we are required to contact our partner the night before the contest, in order to discuss who has what, what uniform we will be wearing, where to park, what kind of vehicle to look for, game time, what time we will meet for pregame conference, etc.

We have a policy to arrive 30 minutes prior to games. If possible, I arrive 45 minutes to an hour before game time, but some guys are coming straight from their work, and they get a little wiggle room for traffic. We are to walk on the field no later than 10 minutes prior to game time.

I did have a guy show up late with his gear on when I was dressed and scheduled to work the plate. I made the guy take his stuff off and work the bases like he was supposed to.

Hmmm,
 

In my area (this kills Mr. Fronheiser) we are assigned a specfic task at a game. You are assigned specifically the plate or the bases. That is the assignment.

There have been times when an umpire is held up in traffic and the roles have been switched.

While there is no penalty for partners to select to switch, our assignor frowns on it.

One Rule ~ One Interpretation ~ One Mechanic

Never happens. We contact our partners prior to the game and discuss who has what, meeting place, time, etc.

"Surprise is the umpire's worst enemy" off the field as well. Why would anyone invite it?

In Dallas we follow the above described procedure precisely.

It doesn't kill me, actually. It may surprise you to know this, but in the adult league I assign we DO assign positions for the playoffs because I use some guys who I wouldn't want on the plate in a nutcutter. During the regular season I couldn't be bothered with this level of detail.

I work 95% of my games with the same 4 umpires. All of us work the plate well and all of us work the bases well. It's usually a "whose turn is it" relationship with us. And most of my college games (2-person) are doubleheaders, so we each get one on the stick.

You must work for cheap conferences.

All college ball here, whether D-1, D-iii or JUCO use three man mechanics.

It's the area of the country. There is actually D-I nonconference ball in the Midwest worked with 2 umpires.

I don't have a scheduled 3-man date until a D-III conference tourney second week in May.

Garth:
 

Timing is everything:

In our area we are now separating the D3, D2 and D1 (non-league games) into an association of its own and all will be three-man.

Community College, wood bat, will probably be two man forever.

Regards,

Surviving a Charles rant is a rite of passage in our world.