Worked a fast pitch H.S. softball game where the plate umpire called time out after an out was made and the ball was in the circle. Does anyother blue do this.

Only slow-pitch ones.

Did this fellow say, "Play!", before each new batter? :)
I doubt that he did.
Probably a new guy.
Keep it live.
mick

Not clear --- he did this EVERY time, or he did this once in a while? Might he have been calling it just to clean the plate?

If every time, I agree with the previous posters.

Now there's a blue who has a view of the future as I would like to see it!!!

Calling Time.
 

I will do this in one ump when I am so far away from the plate, in order to keep from backing over a player or getting hit by the on deck batter. I would call time and jog back to the plate.

In a two ump system I wait till my partner gets into position so he can keep and eye on the field and then I turn my back and go behind the plate.

Otherwise I only call time when cleaning bases or when a coach or player requests.

You clean bases?

Yea, I wanted to wait to post here and let the vets go 1st. I wasn't sure about FP. I do slow pitch rec league, and yes, PU calls time as soon as the ball is returned to the infield and it is very clear the play is dead.

Just don't jump the gun!!! I already had that blunder my 1st week! *blushes*

Yes, I have been asked to do several 1 person games.

When you have a play at a base and the runner slides into the base and you get a bunch of dirt spread over the base if the player get up and doesn't dust the base I have assumed that you get off you butt hustle out to the base and dust it off so you can see it. I was told it was preventative umpiring.

The Last this I need is someone asking "Are you sure that was and out... You can't even see the base?"

I wouldn't waste my (or their) time brushing bases. You (or those in your assoc) are the only one doing this. You can easily see those 3" high white blobs, even with dirt near them. Trust me.

I beg to differ. That is part of our job as umpires and shows a level of professionalism. I know in small ball that is a long way for you guys to bend over. If you ever have a real UIC you will wear a brush out. Anyway in Alaska if you don't clean the bases off you can't see them because of the snow.

[Edited by Ed Maeder on Apr 21st, 2005 at 04:40 PM]

Cleaning Bases
 

I will and have cleaned the bases. The big tourney complex here is like a catbox around the bases and yes, a base has disappeared on me .LOL

I also can't see any problem with cleaning bases, especially between innings and definitely if there was a slide play or such. How can I make a clean call if I can't even see where the edge of the base is?

I'd like to thank my two partner's from tonight's game for cleaning the bases after that wild pitch.

I do if i need to like to get back in position.. clean the plate.. or whatever. Not every time but often enough.

In the yard, I only carry a brush if it's wet and muddy. I have one that has a "scraper" handle.

Otherwise, I have ceased touching the bases and the pitching plate (unless the rest of the crew is housekeeping.)
mick

Mc,

I gotta believe you are joking us here. Around here we cleaned them
after all slide plays. Maybe you just referring to SP. Now I am not
trying to step on Mike's game here, but I would think they would also
clean them.

Though the players will often kick dirt off the bases, if they need cleaning, the umpire should clear the base. And you don't do it with your foot!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by IRISHMAFIA

Quote:

And you don't do it with your foot!

HEY! I bought a special pair of shoes...
There is a button on the side that lets the brush come out of the bottom so I can clean the base and the pitchers plate.

I hear there is a style of plate shoes that do the same thing.

In elite level FP here in NZ after every play time is called
This is asked for by players and if not a lot of Umps (All ISF cetrtified ) do it anyway .
Generally to stop any further play .
It does slow the game down .
Now before anyone jumps down my throat for doing things differently in NZ this is elite fastpitch mens .
That is one or two levels below international .
The players are very quick and aggresive runners and will take any chance to gain an extra base .

Used to work a lot of men's fastpitch...high levels (B and A level players) and they WANTED time after every play as well. League decided it was perfectly acceptable for this to called...it was a player-run league, but the whole idea was to keep the game going, to let players play.


Games didn't slow down much--could do two games in under 3 hours each night!

Is that 2 games under 3 hours or 2 games under 3 hours each .
Our games tend to be around 2 hours .
Again fastpitch mens elite

2 games, 3 hours total.

League played modified run rules...8 after 5, 6 after 6.

Made some quick games quicker.

Pitchers didn't take warm-ups...didn't bother throwing balls to batters either. Theory was "if you can hit it, hit it."

Thats pretty good going time wise .
Yeah there are various parts of the game that could be ,should I say , done better to speed the game up .
Any other suggestions for umpires to speed a game up while still administering the rules ?