Who Does the Plate?

[bniu]

where I work, it's usually assigned but there are times where I'll adjust with my partner. One case, I had the plate, apparently he just had knee surgery and wasn't really able to run around on the bases, so I agreed to let him take the plate and I would do my best to cover all the bases and let him stay at the plate the entire game. Another time, I was scheduled for bases, partner shows up without a mask, and it's 95 degrees, I'm not letting someone else sweat into my mask, so I worked the plate.

another time at a tournament, we were running behind and we were trying to finish the games before darkness hit, so we just worked it out that whoever was dressed in plate gear would stay on the plate the rest of the day (one game would start just minutes after the last out of the previous one, the teams were ready to sprint onto the field quickly).

important thing is that you get along with your partner and have a good game.

Originally Posted by 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.

isn't this just common courtesy between umpires?

[yawetag]

Originally Posted by bniu

isn't this just common courtesy between umpires?

I think it's common courtesy in general. If you go out to eat with friends, you don't run out after paying the bill, saying "See you later!" as you leave.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by yawetag

I think it's common courtesy in general. If you go out to eat with friends, you don't run out after paying the bill, saying "See you later!" as you leave.

Of course not. Common sense says you do that before you pay the bill.

[pastordoug]

"So Arbiter assigned you PU or BU, but you changed it when you talked to your partner?"

That's correct... You already know who is at the game if there is a problem and with that Association we had a system that ranked ups from 6-1. You had to be a 4 to earn numbers and if a problem arose the coaches would take down the number and report it. System worked very well.

[yawetag]

Originally Posted by pastordoug

You had to be a 4 to earn numbers and if a problem arose the coaches would take down the number and report it. System worked very well.

Well that would work.