Clearing equipment at the plate..

[lawump]

Originally Posted by Tim C

-- when you go to a professional umpire school you're trained and expected to clear the bat -- after awhile it simply becomes second nature.

Very true.

[ctblu40]

I always clear the bat if there is time.

When clearing a bat, make every attempt to use lawump's method. As an extra, try to grasp the barrel when sliding the bat away as the bat will be less likely to flip into the air.

I am with Dave on becoming a bat boy as well. After the third out of a half inning, I get up the line and stay there. I try to stay as far away from the dugouts as possible, taking a bat over there seems like it would only invite comments from the rats.

[Sal Giaco]

Three things to consider when or if you're going to clear the bat:

Is is Necessary?

Is it Accessible?

Is it Possible?

The acronym (sp?) is N.A.P.

As far as actually clearing it, law ump described it best, although we just slide it on the side of our body rather than through our legs.

[ozzy6900]

I will only move a bat if I am in the vicinity. If the bat is up the line and I need to be TBLE then forget it - not my job! If I do move it, I just slide it with my foot into foul territory as far as I can. Why my foot? I just don't feel like bending over! But in most cases, the catcher keeps his "house" clean!

I also, am not a bat boy between innings. To be honest, the only time that I touch the equipment (other than the baseballs) is to pick up the catcher's mask if I am near it. He protects me so I don't mind picking up his mask.

[WhatWuzThatBlue]

1. "Catch - he might be coming, kick that bat outta there."

2. "Catch - Get that bat out of your way."

3. Watch the on deck batter clear it.

4. Use the side of your foot and PUSH it out of the way - that way you aren't bending down and can keep your head up. (The way I was taught in school.)

5. Forget about it - it's not your job to clear the bat! R3 and a high hopper to F4 - runner is off on contact and he is going to have to slide through the bat to get to the plate. Do you have time? No way, Jose...
Coach - Hey, Blue you gotta get that bat outta the way.
Me - Why?
Coach - Ain't no way he can be safe with it laying there.
Me - Okay.
Coach - So, what are you gonna do about it?
Me - (as I'm dusting the dish off)
I'll show up at your next practice and teach your batters where to
toss their bats. I get $60 an hour and I only take cash.

If you want to bend over, go ahead, but even the Big Dogs don't pick up bats any more. They use the foot wedge when the on-deck or bat boy is sleeping or when time demands. That is another reason we wear steel toed shoes.

By the way, if a catcher tosses his mask/HSM up the baseline, ignore it the first time. When he gets back to his position and there is no batter around, tell him to knock it off. If he does it again and you have time (and the inclination to piss off the guy protecting you from that fastball) kick it out of the way, but do it hard. He'll get the picture and enough people will see what is happening to prevent a s-storm from occurring.

[JJ]

If the bat is in the way and I have time, I will pick it up and hold it. Usually there will be no play at the plate, and I will hand it to the next batter or the guy who is scoring (with no play). If a play develops, I will toss the bat out of everyone's way - not very far, just out of the way.
I don't like kicking it because it can scuff my (very expensive!) plate shoes. If I'm going to expend the energy to pick it up, and I hold onto it, it lessens my chances of plunking someone with it. That darn liability thing...

JJ

[Sal Giaco]

Good to hear from you JJ - hope your enjoying your summer!

[WhatWuzThatBlue]

Originally Posted by JJ

If the bat is in the way and I have time, I will pick it up and hold it. Usually there will be no play at the plate, and I will hand it to the next batter or the guy who is scoring (with no play). If a play develops, I will toss the bat out of everyone's way - not very far, just out of the way.
I don't like kicking it because it can scuff my (very expensive!) plate shoes. If I'm going to expend the energy to pick it up, and I hold onto it, it lessens my chances of plunking someone with it. That darn liability thing...

JJ

I guess I'll never understand why an umpire feels the need to do this. If there is no play at the plate, you don't need to remove the bat!!!

If a play develops and you are compelled to clear it because the catcher can't or won't, you should remember rule number one of umpiring - don't take your eyes off of the ball! Your foot wedge is the most competent tool for this because you don't have to look down, even for an instant. While you may scuff your shoes, it is far better than being hit by a thrown ball or lose sight of the play because you want to look like a bat boy. I don't believe anyone suggested picking it up and "plunking" someone with it, but we've all had our moments. Use whatever works for you; an umpire holding a bat while the ball is live just makes him/her look like a novice though.

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by JJ

If the bat is in the way and I have time, I will pick it up and hold it. Usually there will be no play at the plate, and I will hand it to the next batter or the guy who is scoring (with no play). If a play develops, I will toss the bat out of everyone's way - not very far, just out of the way.
I don't like kicking it because it can scuff my (very expensive!) plate shoes. If I'm going to expend the energy to pick it up, and I hold onto it, it lessens my chances of plunking someone with it. That darn liability thing...

JJ

Ha Ha Ha I can just picture an umpire holding the bat in his right hand and OMG here comes the throw. The umpire goes to punch out the runner and clocks him with the bat! Ha Ha Ha

Moral of the story - leave the damn bat alone!