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Hahaha,
Let's step back now and take a look at this thread:
Things have been very interesting in the process of this thread.
I really thought it was asking about calling "TIME!" to dust the plate. I was simply amazed that some of the responders, and many of them people I respect, that actually think it is a delay to call time to do the plate sweep.
I am just shocked to see that any umpire, no matter how many partners, would turn their back to the field with the ball in play.
I have learned that many do. I have learn that some are even taught to do this.
Calling time to clean the plate does not cause ANY delay. You are going to clean the dish anyway "why not" protect the game by calling "TIME!"?
Since we all know there is no such thing as "implied time out." The boat don't float.
So we have three situations that we have discussed in the thread:
1) Do you call time out when "fully" cleaning the plate,
2) Do you let infielders call "Time" when they complete a play and,
3) Do you call "Time" when a runner has made it safely into a base?
These are three really interesting questions when you read the responses.
I would contend that no umpire working "real" (there's that term again -- "real" -- I don't consider the Northern League or the Golden State League "real" minior league baseball) professional baseball would EVER turn his back to the infield and brush the plate without calling time . . .
I would also contend that calling "TIME" in this situation causes no decernible delay in play and it is much more valuable to control play on the field then turn your back.
I would also contend that "great" umpires seldom allow infielders to call "TIME" without reason and,
I would also contend that umpires should consider all base running situations independantly and feel that "time" can be called at any time if it makes your situation better.
I think winter time storms cause us all to over think the most simple of items.
Regards,
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