The Plate in ASA Class D SlowPitch?

[scottk_61]

Originally Posted by BoomerSooner

My understanding contrary to what we always find at fields is that the black portion of the plate is actually supposed to be covered by dirt so the that the white is flush with the surronding dirt. As such on a perfect field there would be no black. This would suggest to me that the black isn't part of the plate, however physics/geometry show that balls hitting the black typically hit the white as well.

I don't know who told you that the black portion is supposed to be covered, but that has never been in any rulebook that I can remember after 28 years, in either baseball or softball.

I don't have a case book that is anywhere near up to date, but I do know that if you go to any of the NUS or to a National School, they are going to teach you that the black is part fo the plate.

Who is your Regional UIC, maybe you need to contact him and hear what he has to say.

[tcblue13]

B4 hits a hard shot up the middle
R1 breaks for home
F6 makes a great play
Rifles the ball to F2 who is pulled off the plate just a hair
R1 is sliding head first and gets a fingertip on the black part of the plate a decisecond before the tag and never touches the white part.

Safe or out??

Please comment on various rulesets.