Your question is a little unclear so here what I think you're asking.

Ground rules are specific to each ballpark. You have to know what is in and out for each park. I usually let the coach or captain do the ground rules. That way there is no question what's going on. If you have fields that are missing fences or you have open face dugouts you have to know what's in and out. There are also benches for the bullpens,gates and any other unusual place that needs to be covered. In high school some of the fields we work don.t have a fence from the dugout to the outfield fence. Some places play a ball that hits fair and goes by the outfield fence as all you can get and some make it a double. All these things need to be covered. Basically look around the park and if you have a question make sure before the game how it is handled. If the two coaches can't agree then you decide.

I just reread your post and I think you are asking about the whole plate meeting. I always introduce mtself and my partner. Try to get the names of the coaches but if you miss them just call the coach. Do the lineup exchange and verify everything looks right. If it's FED ask if their teams are properly equiped. Then get the home coach to do the ground rules. Make sure you and the other coach understand. I usually tell both coaches good luck and then tell the home coach to put them on the field. It's not hard but you do want to be confident and relaxed.



[Edited by Michael Taylor on May 19th, 2001 at 10:23 PM]