Plate Meeting Etiquette from your Base Umpire Partner

[UMPCourse]

Have worked with another newer umpire this season a few times. I have been PU both times. Every time we have had a plate meeting, I feel like he is trying to take it over from me, have the last word, end it before I am ready to, and not let me handle my business. What is an effective way to nip this in the butt instead of coming off unprofessionally?

[Umpire in Chief]

Also, Since you have had this issue with the new guy if you work with him again, in your pregame mention that you will handle the entire pre-game. 

[BillKen]

Happened to me last night...I'm BU and I'm playing my role.  My partner goes through his stuff and is about ready to dismiss but he asks me, "Bill, do you have anything?"  I just said, "Coach are all your players legally equipped?"  He took it from there with the other coach.

You don't want to be "that guy" like the guy in the OP...but if you have to step in, its OK.  It can't be a habit.

[LMSANS]

Have worked with another newer umpire this season a few times. I have been PU both times. Every time we have had a plate meeting, I feel like he is trying to take it over from me, have the last word, end it before I am ready to, and not let me handle my business. What is an effective way to nip this in the butt instead of coming off unprofessionally?

​Couple of suggestions:

1. Take him aside and explain how the plate meeting should work.
2. Invite him to Umpire-Empire.com
3. Shut him down in front of the coaches, "I will take care of that"

Personally I did #3 and it was very effective with a rookie.  He eventually got over his hurt feelings.

[maven]

The BU's job at the plate meeting is to introduce himself and smile.

If I forget to ask whether everyone is legally equipped (which is the most important of only 4 things I need to do, so I never forget it), then he may ask.

As for dealing with "that guy," Larry's suggestions seem sound.

Also, I recommend nipping it in the bud, which is a gardening metaphor, not the "butt," which sounds painful.

[noumpere]

Have worked with another newer umpire this season a few times. I have been PU both times. Every time we have had a plate meeting, I feel like he is trying to take it over from me, have the last word, end it before I am ready to, and not let me handle my business. What is an effective way to nip this in the butt instead of coming off unprofessionally?

​Make him be the PU. 

[JHSump]

 

Invite him to Umpire-Empire.com

Great suggestion!

"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."

Inviting your partner to Umpire-Empire.com is a great way to handle many issues. I usually explain how I've learned this or that from U-E and sneak in the bit I really want to get across (e.g., plate meeting etiquette), and make it sound like I'm not confronting him directly, but "....many much more knowledgeable umpires than me on U-E have disussed....".  Usually my partner is happy to listen to this, since I go through a laundry list of interesting things I've picked up from U-E, and most umpires a looking to improve.

[ricka56]

Every time we have had a plate meeting, I feel like he is trying to take it over from me, have the last word, end it before I am ready to, and not let me handle my business. What is an effective way to nip this in the butt instead of coming off unprofessionally?

​I say that this calls for action and now

[Majordave]

The next time you work together either discuss before walking on the field. 

OR, if he's plate guy you take over his meeting. 

OR, next time he opens his mouth as base guy you "equipment check" him right in the nuts. 

I'm here to help. Feel free to choose whichever course of action works for you and your personality. 

[StrikeToWin]

Unfortunately for me, most of the umpires I work with aren't sure of which ruleset, time limits, run rules, and many other things so they defer to me whether I'm on the bases or plate.  When I am BU, I try to keep my mouth shut until such time as the PU has forgotten to ask "All players properly and legally equipped?" or they ask me if they are forgetting anything.

[LMSANS]

Unfortunately for me, most of the umpires I work with aren't sure of which ruleset, time limits, run rules, and many other things so they defer to me whether I'm on the bases or plate.  When I am BU, I try to keep my mouth shut until such time as the PU has forgotten to ask "All players properly and legally equipped?" or they ask me if they are forgetting anything.

​Amusing anecdote...I was working the bases for LL-Jr and at the meeting, my partner is the guy that likes to cover every rule, so I'm wrangling him in and we get through a relatively short plate meeting (for this partner).  I run out to my position and realize we didn't cover the time limit & balk warnings, which are standards in this league.  I go back in and tell both coaches and away we go.