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I don't clean the plate very often. I guess it's a benefit of officiating older players. I do clean the plate after F2 trows down to 2nd base at the top of the inning. After that, I try to wait for normal stoppages in the game.
1. Between batters with no one on (if needed).
2. After a foul ball (time is already out so why not).
3. Coach wants to talk to F1, I clean the plate slowly. By the time I am done, the coach better be too.
After a play at the plate, I wait until there is no further action then I call TIME. I don't care if I am alone or working a 6 man crew, I don't want anything going on behind my back.
Last of all, under no circumstances do I clean the plate if F1 has 2 strikes on the batter. It interrupts the timing of both F1 and the batter (I hate when small diamond umpires do this). It will take an act of God for me to clean the plate at this time! Only if the coach wants to talk to F1 would I dream of stopping action at this time.
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When in doubt, bang 'em out!
Ozzy
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