When do you call "Time!"

[scottk_61]

[quote=wadeintothem]Hmmm.. must be why I'm saddled with the responsibility of the plate in well over 90% of the FP tournies I work.. the hot dogs and abuse of authority..

IMO waiting around for a pitcher to pick off a batter standing on bag is laughable.

Even though its within the rules that a pitcher is allowed to try to pick off a batter standing on a bag or in the rules I could wait an undetermined amount of time with the Def player holding their tag on the runner.. I suppose I could even refuse to grant time to the runner holding the bag, and just make them get up watching ever so closely that there isnt a moments separation with the bag.. so as to not abuse authority.. and call time during this precious live ball game

I chose not to. WHen play is done and extraneous activity only remains, I call time and resume my spot behind the catcher.

Ya gotta use common sense in these things dakota... ya cant teach that on a message board though.[/quote]

Two things Wade,
1. Don't hurt your arm while you pat yourself on the back in the first thing I highlighted.
2. It is obvious that you can't teach common sense on a message board or your wouldn't be posting like you are.

Now for my comments.
People who get saddled with an excess of plate time are usually either in an area with a overwhelming lack of decent umpires (big fish in a little pond) or are so demanding of others recognition of the perceived skill that other umpires are more than willing to forgo having to wear the plate gear.
I have known a few umpires over 28 years who would only work the plate or demand extra plate time. They have all without question, had an overly self inflated opinion of themselves and/or their ability. These kind of umpires lord themselves over others and generally make everyone else miserable or disgusted.
As for common sense, well, while I wouldn't fight a rule change like Mike advocates (nor do I disagree with him) I have always been able to keep FP and MP games moving without killing the ball in contrast to the spirit of the rules.
Most FP and MP games that I have worked especially over the last 8 or 9 years have been on par with or faster than most adult SP games.
Keeping the game moving within the spirt of the rules is called GAME MANAGEMENT and that my friend takes a lot of common sense.