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Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve
I agree with Scott (and he may be one of the few umpires with more ASA Nationals than my 21 as an umpire, 3 as umpire coordinator). It is an absolute every half inning in ASA Championship Play, no matter how clean it looks. And, you better face the right way (same as cleaning the plate, face the backstop, butt to center field). And, I play as I practice, so I do it at every level of ASA and NFHS.
In NCAA, you will actually get dinged for sweeping it unnecessarily; there, it seems more a "don't do it like ASA" than actually thinking to save us doing unnecessary work.
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Yep, line me up with Scott and Steve. Unless there is some pressing matter which may require the umpire's attention at the end of the half inning (and i'm not talking about getting a drink and towel unless you really need it), clean the pitcher's plate WITH THE BRUSH, not your foot, hand, hat or a player's glove.
As you know, I'm not a big fan of MLB, but some of the places I frequent always have a ball game on the tube, so watching a pro game can be unavoidable. What I have noticed this year are MLB umpires clearing dirt off the plate with their feet! WTF, do they all attend the Eric Gregg Memorial Spa and Wings Emporium? That is one of the laziest things I have ever seen an umpire do AT ANY LEVEL.
Speaking of which, Steve's last statement there is not unusual or surprising. When the NCAA first go into the softball umpire business and the NFCA basically ran the show, one of the first things schools were told (at least in my area) was that while the contracted umpires may be ASA, they were to wear no part of the ASA uniform. I would have to assume this would apply to any other organization's (U-trip, NSA, AFA, etc.) umpires. According to a couple of coaches in my area it was because they were NCAA teams and didn't want to give the impression that THEIR umpires were the same as those chasing little girls around the softball field (their words, not mine). While I can appreciate their desire to be recognized solely as the NCAA, I don't get the attitude occasionally displayed along these lines.
Do they think the players and umpires just appeared one day and decided to have an NCAA ball game? Most of the umpires and players evolved out of these organizations and, if it weren't for the manner in which these organizations pamper and cooperate with them, most of the coaches would actually have to work a lot longer and harder at recruiting.
I guess I just don't get the basis for the arrogance.