Owing a plate

[Umpire in Chief]

I've said many times I work many more plates than base games. This year I'm down to about 65% plate.

Last night I had a game with a great guy I hadn't worked with in about 2 years. I told him I owed him a plate from the last time we worked. He replied that owing plates expires at the end of the season and definately cannot go 2seasons. But he did appreciate me taking the plate.

Contrast this to last month (different partner). Day 1: my partner and I have a single Mustang game 6 innings. 6:00 pm game 70 degrees outside. He volunteers for the plate. I tell him I owe him one.

2-3 weeks later we have a DH Colt games Saturday 2:00 & 4:30 starts and its 85+ degrees with near 100% humidity. This clown says since I owe him one I should go ahead and plate both games. He was serious and I was really stunned he would even think of something. We squabbled back and forth for a minute or two. I tell him owing one doesn't apply when your working 2 games, it's when you have a single game together. Besides that it not the same situation. He eventually manned up and took the second plate but I was irritated.

How do you work "owing a plate?"

[LMSANS]

I'm cash only.

[mn_ump]

It's the honor system, but for me, nobody owes me anything. Every day is a new day and we start from there.

[SanDiegoSteve]

In my old association, we always rotated who's "turn" it was. Many people kept meticulous records of who had the dish the last time. You could go 3 years or more without seeing one person, and sure enough..."well, it's your turn. Yeah, remember 3 years ago over at _________ field? Yup...I had it last time, so BRING YOUR GEAR!!!"

Ooooooooo, I hate that!:confused:

[SanDiegoSteve]

Contrast this to last month (different partner). Day 1: my partner and I have a single Mustang game 6 innings. 6:00 pm game 70 degrees outside. He volunteers for the plate. I tell him I owe him one.

2-3 weeks later we have a DH Colt games Saturday 2:00 & 4:30 starts and its 85+ degrees with near 100% humidity. This clown says since I owe him one I should go ahead and plate both games. He was serious and I was really stunned he would even think of something. We squabbled back and forth for a minute or two. I tell him owing one doesn't apply when your working 2 games, it's when you have a single game together. Besides that it not the same situation. He eventually manned up and took the second plate but I was irritated.

First of all, "clown" describes this guy well.

Second, what kind of logic was he trying to use that equates one measley plate job on a Mustang game to pulling double duty on 2 Big Boy games on a big field? This guy must be some kind of nut job. He must have thought that you just fell off the turnip truck or something. Jeez, what nerve!

[Steven Tyler]

BRING YOUR GEAR!!!"

You should always bring your gear, regardless. No telling what might happen......:)

[SanDiegoSteve]

You should always bring your gear, regardless. No telling what might happen......

"Bring your gear" is a little inside joke in my old association when our assignments were given out at the meeting. It is what you holler to an umpire who has to work the plate at a school with a crappy team. It was like, "at that place, you'd better bring your gear."

You're right, you should always have your gear handy.

[StoneyK]

1st off I'm a plate hog regardless of the age/temp/time of day! BUT when i get to the game site meet up with my partner I ask which one he wants to be polite.

The other night I worked a Sr. Mens (1)game and asked my partner his preference. He stated he had these two teams in the past week (different games) and he asked me if I minded doing it to give them a new look of course I said yes.

That said, I have been fortunate to do 6 baseball regionals ('00 Southern LL, '02-03-05-06-07 Southwest BL), the 2007 BLWS, and multiple district (since '94) and state tournaments, Legion, HS, BR and Mens games. When working with younger/newer umpires I offer these "big" games to them as I've BTDT and now its their turn to get experience.

HOWEVER, I never turn down an opportunity to call balls and strikes in the "big" games. :)

[Umpire in Chief]

StoneyK, I'm with you I am typically a plate whore. My evaluators have each told me to get more base work in b/c it shows that I'm a "plate guy" when I'm on the field and I understand.

I just cant fathom doing more bases than plate, and the majoity of guys who work a significant number of bases more than plates probably need to find a new calling.

[BrianC14]

I'm also a plate hog, however, I always contact my partners for the upcoming week and discuss it with them well in advance of each game.

I always ask the question in this way: "Do you want me to do the plate?" I usually get 'sure, you go ahead' answer, so I'm happy with that.

If I sense any hesitation on their part in response to the question, I simply state that I'd prefer to work the dish. If it's a double header, I typically want to do the first plate, then I'll take the field.

My association is big on working the dish, and grabbing as many as I can behind the plate has served me well in evals, upper division conference games, state playoffs assignments, etc.

[Umpire in Chief]

I think it's really important to always bring your gear, you never know what will happen. The assignor may call and need you somewhere that night. Or your partner who was going to take the plate my run late or who knows what.

I think a good umps have a degree of plate whore in them.

[Stan W.]

I have been fortunate to work a good amount of my games with the same partner. We alternate plate and base every other game, year after year.....since I keep a game journal, I always know whose time it is gear up.......

But in our association, its understood, you could be required to take the plate at any time. So do not "forget" your gear.....

If I am working with a new partner, I take the plate.....

[Stan W.]

I have been fortunate to work a good amount of my games with the same partner. We alternate plate and base every other game, year after year.....since I keep a game journal, I always know whose time it is gear up.......

But in our association, its understood, you could be required to take the plate at any time. So do not "forget" your gear.....we all know those guys and its an instant reputation killer........

Also, If I am working with a new partner, I take the plate.....

[littleleagueump]

Next time you know you are going to work with him, show up just in time for the game and leave you plate gear at home. OPPS!

I've said many times I work many more plates than base games. This year I'm down to about 65% plate.

Last night I had a game with a great guy I hadn't worked with in about 2 years. I told him I owed him a plate from the last time we worked. He replied that owing plates expires at the end of the season and definately cannot go 2seasons. But he did appreciate me taking the plate.

Contrast this to last month (different partner). Day 1: my partner and I have a single Mustang game 6 innings. 6:00 pm game 70 degrees outside. He volunteers for the plate. I tell him I owe him one.

2-3 weeks later we have a DH Colt games Saturday 2:00 & 4:30 starts and its 85+ degrees with near 100% humidity. This clown says since I owe him one I should go ahead and plate both games. He was serious and I was really stunned he would even think of something. We squabbled back and forth for a minute or two. I tell him owing one doesn't apply when your working 2 games, it's when you have a single game together. Besides that it not the same situation. He eventually manned up and took the second plate but I was irritated.

How do you work "owing a plate?"