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With regard to covering ground rules - I ALWAYS ask the home coach to "take us around". If he knows that I know the rules, he may say, "You've been here and you know them - go ahead", at which time I will cover them. I also will cover them if the game is at a neutral site and neither team has been there before, or if we're in a tournament situation. I also go over them with my partner(s) BEFORE we hit the field - if I've been there before or if a partner has but I'm the plate man that day. It helps if the crew knows them before the home plate conference, so any questions the coaches raise can be clearly explained. Sometimes my explanation may not be as clear as one my partner may give. It's also VERY valuable to walk the field, preferrably with your crew but alone if necessary. And yes, the conferences get shorter the higher you go!
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