Who Does the Plate?

[swkansasref33]

Here in Kansas, all the games are DH in HS ball. I prefer to work the plate first, that way I can pack my gear between games, and just leave straight after the 2nd game. It seems to have been raining more this year, so It makes for a quick and easy getaway when the 2nd one gets rained out.

[JFlores]

Here in Texas, for the most part HS Varsity games are single game and usually we decide the previous night over the phone on who does what. My rule of a thumb is usually that if I had the team previously within the week and I worked the dish, I usually let my partner know the situation and if he would do the plate, can't think of an instance where a guy has said no. I always pick up my partner next time we are together.

This past weekend, I worked a DH with the same partner on both Saturday and sunday, and boy was it hot. Saturday i took the first plate and on sunday he took the first plate.

Earlier in the HS Season during tournament play sometimes we were assigned three games and we flipped to see who did two. The loser would end up doing two and decide which two he wanted.

However, there are times I just don't want to do the plate and if I know my partner very well the conversation usually goes along the lines " Hey Mike, I don't feel up to the task of the doing the plate, do you mind taking this one, thanks Bud got you on a beer after the game."

[yawetag]

Originally Posted by swkansasref33

that way I can pack my gear between games, and just leave straight after the 2nd game.

I'm sure your partners enjoy your "quick getaway."

[Rich]

Originally Posted by yawetag

I'm sure your partners enjoy your "quick getaway."

Usually when people want to get away quick I consider the source and actually prefer the solitude.

[biggravy]

Originally Posted by swkansasref33

Here in Kansas, all the games are DH in HS ball. I prefer to work the plate first, that way I can pack my gear between games, and just leave straight after the 2nd game. It seems to have been raining more this year, so It makes for a quick and easy getaway when the 2nd one gets rained out.

Simma down about the quick getaway. I'm on the opposite side of the state and it's the same way here. All DH and sometimes I'm 90 miles from home with a local partner. I try to take the first plate on those and get away quick too. We usually work within the same small group of guys so we all understand. I'm sure it's the same out west too.

Plate is assigned by arbiter, but with all DH we decide the night before or at the game and usually let the guy w/ the longer drive take the first plate or we take turns. I always ask and where I have major respect for my regular partners they get to decide.

[archangel]

My assignor for Sou Ohio OHSAA games uses Arbiter but with a twist. Umpires call him preseason and verbally schedule the spring HS games with the understanding that he may move us to another game as the season progresses.

When initially scheduled, we know if its plate or base(and if 1st to discuss that game, we can pick PU/BU). In any case, then the Arbiter sends those games to be accepted.
We know when we arrive at the game site where we are working.

Coaches as supposed to rate the umpires performance after each game, they being 1 of 6 entities that are involved with choosing who gets playoff games.
I always prefer the plate, but switching pregame means that when the coaches rate each umpire(postgame or days later), he uses the PU/BU positions listed on Arbiter(unless he personally knows me/us). If my partner had a bad game, I wouldnt have a problem asking the assignor to switch the positions on Arbiter so I'm not hit with a coaches bad rating...

[yawetag]

Originally Posted by archangel

If my partner had a bad game, I wouldnt have a problem asking the assignor to switch the positions on Arbiter so I'm not hit with a coaches bad rating...

How nice of you.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by yawetag

How nice of you.

I'm with him. If I'm listed wrong on Arbiter, I'd want it fixed. Period. Fortunately, I get to choose who I work with and we sign the books here, so there's little confusion. Besides, after a decade here, most coaches know me well enough that I don't have to worry about it.

[yawetag]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I'm with him. If I'm listed wrong on Arbiter, I'd want it fixed. Period. Fortunately, I get to choose who I work with and we sign the books here, so there's little confusion. Besides, after a decade here, most coaches know me well enough that I don't have to worry about it.

Yes, Rich, but this is what he said: "If my partner had a bad game..."

I would hope we'd call and have it changed regardless of the quality of our partner's game.

In addition, if it's changed and he becomes the PU then has a bad game on the dish, does he call and get it changed in Arbiter? Or does he just let his partner get the hit for that, too?

[archangel]

Originally Posted by yawetag

Yes, Rich, but this is what he said: "If my partner had a bad game..."

I would hope we'd call and have it changed regardless of the quality of our partner's game.

In addition, if it's changed and he becomes the PU then has a bad game on the dish, does he call and get it changed in Arbiter? Or does he just let his partner get the hit for that, too?

Yawetag is correct. I re-read my post and I came across as smug, which wasnt my intent. I should've said "if one of us has a bad game".

Since changing positions before a varsity game rarely happens to me, I've contacted the assignor each time(maybe 3 times in 10 yrs including 1 this season), and would never saddle a partner with a potential bad rating due to my game (plus a smart partner would also contact the assignor). Playoff games are nice, but dont compare to my (alleged ) rep with my peers....

[Rich]

Originally Posted by biggravy

Simma down about the quick getaway. I'm on the opposite side of the state and it's the same way here. All DH and sometimes I'm 90 miles from home with a local partner. I try to take the first plate on those and get away quick too. We usually work within the same small group of guys so we all understand. I'm sure it's the same out west too.

Plate is assigned by arbiter, but with all DH we decide the night before or at the game and usually let the guy w/ the longer drive take the first plate or we take turns. I always ask and where I have major respect for my regular partners they get to decide.

I just don't see why someone would fly out of the parking lot -- it only takes a plate guy 5-10 minutes to get undressed and put things away. I'm just not comfortable leaving a partner alone while changing -- you never know what idiot will come along and it's nice to have numbers.

Hey, to each their own.

[MikeStrybel]

Around here, almost every umpire I have worked with waits until I have changed from my plate gear and am ready to drive away. I return the favor. It's a good time to post game, discuss upcoming schedules and rule/policy changes. Especially after a tough game, I enjoy the time to cool the jets and learn something about my partners.

[DG]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I just don't see why someone would fly out of the parking lot -- it only takes a plate guy 5-10 minutes to get undressed and put things away. I'm just not comfortable leaving a partner alone while changing -- you never know what idiot will come along and it's nice to have numbers.

Hey, to each their own.

Agree, I have never left a partner until I know his car/truck started and is moving. We will discuss whatever needs discussing and I might start my engine first and move from parking spot, but I am not leaving the parking lot until I see his vehicle moving.