Slow Pitch Umps

[SWFLguy]

I worked a league back in CNY that had a league rule
that a ball hitting the plate was a strike !!!
Talk about taking the bat out the the hitter's hands !
There also was a women's league that used a mat---
horrible games when you had a pitcher that couldn't lob
the ball onto it. I felt like asking batters why they bothered
brinig a bat with them !
WALK-WALK- WALK- WALK-.............
(groan)

[scottk_61]

Originally Posted by SWFLguy

I worked a league back in CNY that had a league rule
that a ball hitting the plate was a strike !!!
Talk about taking the bat out the the hitter's hands !
There also was a women's league that used a mat---
horrible games when you had a pitcher that couldn't lob
the ball onto it. I felt like asking batters why they bothered
brinig a bat with them !
WALK-WALK- WALK- WALK-.............
(groan)

The introduction of the mat and a strike for hitting the plate was the final dumbing down of the game.
I umpired SP for many years, and endured many dense players but even they dont' like the mat.

With the mat, the game becomes a joke all together.

[azbigdawg]

Originally Posted by scottk_61

The introduction of the mat and a strike for hitting the plate was the final dumbing down of the game.
I umpired SP for many years, and endured many dense players but even they dont' like the mat.

With the mat, the game becomes a joke all together.

What he said..I cringe when I volunteer to work a league with the mat.... dumbest rule ever.

[NDblue]

The only time they use a mat around here is if there isn't an umpire. Fall co-ed is the only league that uses them because they aren't willing to pay to have a live body behind the catcher.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by NDblue

The only time they use a mat around here is if there isn't an umpire. Fall co-ed is the only league that uses them because they aren't willing to pay to have a live body behind the catcher.

And then the catcher and batter end up arguing over whether the ball hit the mat or not

Edited to correct spelling

[Chess Ref]

Well around here the mat definetly seems to be the norm. We also don't have much high end SB.
Some of the SB umps said there is not as much complaining about strikes now......they just complain about arc.......

[ukumpire]

I believe the Mat was endorsed to help out with lower end SP, when it comes to A Grade the Mat is used very little. I think the big Advertsing Tournament that is run annually in Palm Springs uses it, but that is the only big Tournament to use such a concept. It is also used a lot in Canada so I am led to believe. We in the UK have never, and God willing, will never resort to such a rubbish idea.
The Strike Zone belongs to the Umpire, and as such, You can make the batters swing, it is amazing how big the Strike Zone is, when you want it to be.... Slowpitch is a Batting Game