The Plate Meeting, a LF Umpire Podcast from Close Call Sports

Episode 27 - Tending the Taps with Tim Tschida

As we look forward to a hopefully better year ahead, Tim Tschida joins The Plate Meeting to recap his Major League umpiring career, including memorable games and ejections, as well as his journey to the big leagues and development of his distinctive strike call. Tschida also answers your questions in this in-depth interview and conversation.

Episode 26 - Opening Weekend Recap as MLB Tests Positive

On this episode, Gil and tmac are joined by Bob Davidson to discuss weekly news around baseball, including Miami's viral situation, notable plays from MLB's opening weekend, and to remember former umpire Rick Reed.

Episode 25 - COVID Mental Health Checkup

In this Plate Meeting Podcast video episode, we step away from on-field umpiring discussion and turn to the current reality for all umpires: a wholesale loss of all games at all levels (in all sports). In this COVID mental health checkup, Jack Furlong of the OSIP Foundation joins tmac & Gil for a conversation about the current sports landscape and reality for officials who continue to lose income due to a lack of games to work.

Episode 24 - Mike Reilly's Rite of Spring

After 34 years as an AL and MLB crew chief, veteran umpire Mike Reilly joined The Plate Meeting Podcast ahead of Spring Training to share some stories from his nearly 4500-game career, discuss the origin of his 'Corn Flakes' nickname, and talk about the time he turned down a job as umpire analyst with FOX Sports. Mike also takes your questions and discusses several high profile plays, ejections, and events from several World Series appearances and other memorable moments from his time in professional baseball.

Episode 23 - Scott Kennedy's Catcher Management

Scott Kennedy provides some background on his umpiring career in Minor League Baseball and transitioning into the NCAA ranks, and discusses his philosophy on dealing with teams through relationships with catchers, whom a plate umpire spends an inordinate amount of time with throughout a game. Scott discusses the importance of a proper mindset and attitude both on and off the field, and how to respond to trouble.