Yeah, there are still some young guys cleaning the rubber between 1/2 innings...it annoys me, I bring it up once in the pregame if it comes up...and try not to worry about it again..

I see that too. More with brushing off 2B after a slide into the bag. The ones that do it are ASA umps and it's accepted and prefered in SB - so I flinch and wring my hands and just let them be. After all, it IS a plate brush and there is no deciding factor in whether or not it is home plate or the pitcher's plate. :confused:

First game is March 18.

Had DH last thursday and first varsity game on friday.
First year as a varsity umpire, great joy!.

Good luck and have fun. Don't suck.

We still have frost and snow on the ground.
 

We open up on the 18th of March baseball in Nebraska Big Red Land