Calling Time Out

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by Tim C

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?


Regards,

1. Yes. However, I don't attempt to do this in 5 seconds. "Time!" Remove mask and pull out brush as I move around the catcher. Make sure the batter has stepped back...ask if necessary. ( I don't like getting slammed with a practice swing.) With my back to the infield, bend over and clean the plate. Straighten up, replace brush as I step back into positon. Put mask on and, after checking for pitcher, ball, batter and catcher, point and "Play!" As I said earlier, attemting this in 5 seconds would look like a Monty Python sketch.

2. Not without damn good reason. Throwing the ball back to the pitcher or killing the offense's chance to continue the play are not good reasons.

3. Depends on what is going on. All play is over and he needs to get the dirt out of his jock strap? Sure. A team mate is off the bag at another base and a play is possible? Nope, not yet.