Calling Time Out

[RPatrino]

I agree with Tee.

If you turn your back, you call time, period...end of story. When the plate gets dirty because of a sliding runner, call time and clean it. Other than that, you don't have to brush it off except between innings.

One of my biggest pet peeves is people who grant time out everytime a runner slides into a base. They are laying there and the fielder is hovering over him waiting for him to get up. Give me a break!!! I tell the fielder to 'throw the ball to the pitcher and lets play'.

I had an EJ one time (player and 3rd base coach), R2 steals 3b, raises his hand and prior to my 'granting' time out he leaves the base to dust himself off. F5 applies the tag... I have an out!!! Player turns into the Tasmanian Devil and I give him the rest of the game off. 3B coach "F" bombs me and he's heading for his Toyota. HC comes trotting out to see "what the Heck is going on here?" I asked him if he saw the play? He said..."Yes, but I thought you always give a time out in those cases?" My answer, "I don't".

PS. I follow the "5 word" rule when talking to coaches.