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Originally Posted by CoachJM
Hmmm,
In my extremely limited experiece umpiring, I have observed that the only times I dust the plate are:
1. At the beginning of each and every half inning, whether the plate is "dirty" or not.
2. When a manager or catcher requests time to talk to the pitcher (after I have granted it), again, whether the plate is dirty or not.
3. When the catcher or batter asks me to (I call "Time!" first), when the plate is dirty.
4. If the catcher gets "nicked" by a pitch and I feel he might need a moment to gather himself. I call "Time!" first (whether the catcher asks or not & whether the plate is "dirty" or not).
The rest of the time, I don't really seem to care whether the plate is dirty or not. After reading nickrego's dreadful little tale, I don't plan to change my practice.
JM
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Very good practice. One of the things that I cannot stand is watching a game when the umpire continually delays the game to clean the plate when its not needed.
The times that you mentioned, the plate can be cleaned unnoticed by anyone, and the game is not delayed at all.
Thanks
David