Plate Meeting
 

How many of you have your mask with you at the plate meeting versus hanging it on the backstop?

Haven't called any FP yet, but I know better than to leave it hanging on the backstop.

Tuck it under your left arm with the top facing your partner.

I've never hung my mask on a backstop in my like!

Or laid it on the ground, or walked around with it propped up on top of my head like a catcher (but I've seen guys do both in recent weeks).

I keep it tucked under my left arm.

http://umpsclip.com/images/mask-1.png

:D

One of my fellow umpires made something similar to that. Her arms are short, so she can't get her arm around the mask.

OK here it probably comes. What is to be gained by having it with you for the plate meeting? What makes that right versus hanging on fence or laying on ground? Oh!!! make sure you have your indicator in your hand also. That makes about as much sense as the mask thing. Dave

Ground ? Fence ?
 

Professionalism comes to mind.

Not a big fan of the belt hook thing, but not totally against it. We have a handicapped umpire (only one arm) that uses the belt hook. So their is some good reasons for it. But even he doesn't put his mask on the ground or on the fence. And I would think he sorta carries the best built in excuse or reason that could be found

But then again if you're not into that apprearance can help build the first impression. Go ahead lay it on the ground.

My dad was a carpenter he always laid his hammer on the ground when he was talking to the customer. NOT !!!

I wonder if you are in the camp that says it is ok if you are wearing sunglasses, and a coach approaches you to go ahead and place them above the bill of your cap. That doesn't seem professional to me, but maybe you don't either. Dave

I always tuck my mask under my left arm. Even when I'm in the dugout checking gear before the game.

Not sure what your point is here....

I never really even questioned it, but all the training I remember has taught me.

1) you do not put your mask on the ground, hang it on your fence or (while we are at it) hang it by the throat protector over your ***.

2) You remove your sunglasses when talking wth a coach, but do not place them above the bill of your cap (ever during a game).

Sun Glasses
 

No I am not of that camp. Thanks for asking

Never know until I ask. Dave

Actually, I tuck mine under my right arm since I'm left-handed. ;)

This I've found to be a bit of a problem....esp. when doing a college game and checking bats against the approved list. For now I've opted to set my mask down on the bench in the dugout while we're conducting the bat check.

I am assuming you mean two man mechanics when you say that.

Yes.
Heck the best part of being PU in three man is the fact that your two BU's get to do the bat checks.
Unfortunately, DIII in my neck of the woods is all two man during the regular season.

Same for DII, too. But PU in 3-man in college ball or 4-man in high school championships - I'm all fo PU holding the bat list and letting the BU's conduct the inspection.

Just out of curiosity, why would the PU not be involved in the bat check? Personally, I'd rather be shoulder-to-shoulder with my partners.

That's how we do it...PU guy handles the list the BU the bats. Early in the season though there were way too many schools that did not have their bats highlighted on their list, or even have a printed list on site. So we're using ours (7 pages if you print on both sides), wind blowing, cold as a you know what, "dugout" with no roof and chain link fence for walls, pages flapping in the wind, serial numbers that are next to impossible to read or find on the bat due to wear and tear, enough bats to equip two teams......well you get the picture.

Sounds familiar - been there, done that.

My mask has three locations when not in my equipment bag: worn properly on my head; in my hand; under my arm.

Yep...that sounds about right.

Proper pre-game procedure for NCAA 3 man.
BU's have responsibility for bat check. While that's going on, PU checks field....lines, distances, fences, trouble spots etc.

And in ASA, the equipment check is done by the crew. NBD

Deleted due to the fact that it really didn't add much to the conversation....

Glad this thread came up. I've never, ever thought about this but what you all are saying makes sence. I usually have a bottle of water that I take with me and I put the water in the fence and my mask on the water bottle. Been to several camps - state HS, college, ASA National....no one's ever said anything about it.

Now - I know.

While many say what I do is 'wrong' or not the proper way, this works for me.

After sweeping home plate and requesting the head coaches, I place my mask on home plate with the 'wire' side facing down and the pads facing up. I also stand the mask with the throat protector pointing up where it 'raises' the mask almost to the two point contact with the plate. I prefer to have both my hands free at the plate conference, its just a personal preference.

Hope you don't have a coach who expectorates into the wind.:eek:

So do I, that is why it is under may arm.

I too am glad this came up. I never gave any thought that hanging it on the fence or laying it on the ground next to the fence was unprofessional. I have never been dinged for doing this. Heck in my part of the country, I never have seen an umpire not hang it on the fence or lay it down and have been umpiring closing in on 30 years. An old dog can be taught new tricks, it just may take awhile for me to get it through my thick skull. Dave

Heck, I'll do plate meetings with my mask under my arm, and my indicator in my hand!:p At worst during the pregame bat/mask checks, my mask is sitting on the little cooler I bring, or maybe the dugout bench...it never, EVER touches the ground.

you have great balance ..... now try to snatch pebble from hand......grasshopper! :D