1. LABUA Presents:
The Plate Meeting

2. Presence and Appearance
Body Language
Walk to the plate area as a crew
Portray confidence (not cockiness)
You want to be here
Uniform
Clean, neat, creased slacks
Shoes shined
Worn properly
Equipment
Plate Umpire – mask under the arm during the meeting
Not hanging from the strap off your hand / finger
Not attached your belt with some sort of hook
Sunglasses
Should not be worn – let the coaches see your eyes
Place them in your pant or shirt pocket, not on hat
Make a Great First Impression

3. Where to Stand Two-Man Crew Three-Man Crew Four-Man Crew Plate Umpire
Stand at point of plate between the batter’s boxes facing the pitchers mound
Base Umpire
Stand in front of home plate, between the batter’s boxes facing the grandstands
Plate Umpire
Stand at point of plate between the batter’s boxes
1st Base Umpire
Stand in the area of the top inside line of the Left-Hander batter’s box facing the grandstands
3rd Base Umpire
Stand in the area of the top inside line of the Right-Hander batter’s box facing the grandstands
Plate Umpire
Stand at point of plate between the batter’s boxes
1st Base Umpire
Stand in the area of the top inside line of the Left-Hander batter’s box facing the grandstands
2nd Base Umpire
Stand in front of home plate, between the batter’s boxes facing the grandstands
3rd Base Umpire
Stand in the area of the top inside line of the Right-Hander batter’s box facing the grandstands

4. The Meeting
Conduct meeting approximately 5 to 10 minutes before scheduled time of 1st pitch
Be Professional
Introduce yourself
Ok to shake hands with coaches
Call Coaches by their First Name
Learn their names before the game if possible
Let Coaches dictate conversation
Take Home Team Line Card first
Even if visiting coach arrives first
Check Line Cards for:
9/10 players listed
Must have 9 to start the game!
Substitutes are listed
Duplicate positions listed (example: 2 short stops)
Position of the DH
Duplicate jersey numbers
Now is time to clear up any confusion
Ask if all players are properly equipped and jewelry has been removed
Give Copy to each Coach, if provided
Ask Home Coach to go over ground rules
Clarify any ground rule that conflicts with a playing rule or that is unique to the field
If playing on a neutral field, generally the plate umpire will give ground rules
If weather will be an issue, discuss:
Location of radar detector
Timing /severity of weather
Two main areas of concern – mound and batters box
Getting the tarp out (don’t want to lose the field!) – how much water can field take?
Remember – you are an umpire, not a meteorologist – err on the side of caution!
Ask if there are any questions
Meeting ends – umpires are now in charge of the game

5. The Meeting Don’t: Review Rules Tell jokes Talk about attractive fans
Talk about a call from previous game
Talk about your strike zone
Talk about judgment type calls

6. The Plate Meeting
Questions