Cleaning the pitchers Plate

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Dukat

This gets me thinking about something I do and want opinions on it. When I clean the plate I always use the proper technique as described by Mike but say there was just a sliding play at the plate and it has like 2 inches of dirt on top of it. Then I kick off the excess with my shoe and then proceed to brush the rest. Do you think this is something I should stop and just use the brush even on big mounds of dirt?

I just take my time and use the brush.

Now, if the dirt and plate are wet , I may use my feet to get large clumps of dirt off the plate, but will then go to my short-bristled brush to get the rest of the dirt off. And, yes, I do carry a scraper for the muddy days (which, BTW, I abhor).

[BlitzkriegBob]

I hate when I find out that what I've been told is wrong. I should take this as a lesson to not deviate from prescribed mechanics.

I've been told by both my ASA brethren and every Fed partner I've had to specifically NOT wipe the PP. I think it was even my ASA District UIC who told me "If I can see the PP then I might have to call an IP."

Time for me to make a mental note to keep my brush with me on the bases tomorrow.

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by 3afan

I had a PU partner once clean the plate with his hat ... we had a chat

I think we've got a bunch of those folks around here - at least that would explain why their hats look the way they do.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

I just take my time and use the brush.

Now, if the dirt and plate are wet , I may use my feet to get large clumps of dirt off the plate, but will then go to my short-bristled brush to get the rest of the dirt off. And, yes, I do carry a scraper for the muddy days (which, BTW, I abhor).

Between innings where the rain is light, but enough to clump and color the plate, I often kick some of the surrounding dirt on top of it (provided I have enough dry dirt around). Then, swirl my foot on it, then brush it off. Otherwise, the plate becomes completely indistinguishable from the rest of the field, even if I scrape it, kick it, everything short of powerwashing it. Been there, done that, didn't work! Carolina clay just doesn't come off easily.

[bkbjones]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

Between innings where the rain is light, but enough to clump and color the plate, I often kick some of the surrounding dirt on top of it (provided I have enough dry dirt around). Then, swirl my foot on it, then brush it off. Otherwise, the plate becomes completely indistinguishable from the rest of the field, even if I scrape it, kick it, everything short of powerwashing it. Been there, done that, didn't work! Carolina clay just doesn't come off easily.

Up here in the drizzle, I will find some dry (usually about an eighth of an inch below the surface) and brush it up on the plate...and use that to dry the plate. Cleans it up and more importantly dries it up.

BTW...up here we must also have some folks who use their shirts to clean the PP -- just judging from the looks of their shirts.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

Otherwise, the plate becomes completely indistinguishable from the rest of the field,

And an umpire should have a problem with that why?

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

And an umpire should have a problem with that why?

I'm not referring to the PP, I'm referring to Home Plate. And one of my (many) jobs is to keep it clean.

[scottk_61]

[quote=BlitzkriegBob]
I've been told by both my ASA brethren and every Fed partner I've had to specifically NOT wipe the PP. I think it was even my ASA District UIC who told me "If I can see the PP then I might have to call an IP."
[quote]

I added the emphasis on the above quote to point out the absolute cowardice and lack of integrity for the game that a statement like this implies.

If the pitchers get a strike call for a pitch across the plate while throwing an IP, then that means they gained an unfair advantage.
This also means that the umpire IS NOT enforcing the rules in an impartial manner. Thus cheating for one team or the other.

IF THEY CAN'T GET IT ACROSS THE PLATE IN A LEGAL MANNER, THEY SHOULDN'T GET THE CHANCE TO HAVE A STRIKE CALLED.

IF YOU ARE TOO AFRAID TO MAKE THE CORRECT CALL, GET OFF THE FIELD AND FIND SOMETHING ELSE TO DO!

Just in case anyone is wondering, this is one of my pet peeves.
I see umpires do this all the time
either because they are too afraid to make the call,
too ignorant of the rules to be able to enforce it correctly,
so unsure of themselves or the rules that they cannot stand to have a coversation with the coach who MIGHT ask what or why in order to coach their player correctly,
or
they are just umpire whores who are out there for the money or power that they feel on the field.

Ok, the rant is over

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

I'm not referring to the PP, I'm referring to Home Plate. And one of my (many) jobs is to keep it clean.

Yeah, so am I. If the plate becomes indistinguishable from the rest of the field, how can anyone argue how wide your strike zone may be? Sort of like the lines of the BB. If I cannot see them, well.......

[Steve M]

No problem with that rant, Scott. I have to admit that my former district uic used to say just about the same thing regarding cleaning the pitcher's plate - "I don't do that 'cuz then I might see something."

Now, that's not how I work - but it is how I worked for a few years, until I got serious and the games I worked.

If it's a scrimmage or JV type of game I'm working, I'll stop the game & explain why something was not a legal pitch. Any other kind of game, I'll call the illegal pitch the first time it's seen - regardless of the inning or game conditions.

[jimpiano]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

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.

The goal is to get the plate clean.
The means is immaterial.

[bkbjones]

Originally Posted by jimpiano

The goal is to get the plate clean.
The means is immaterial.

Bullspit.
There is a proper way to do it, and using one's shoes for a brush ain't it. In fact, it's one of the things I really detest when I see other umpires do it.

Just do it right.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Yeah, so am I. If the plate becomes indistinguishable from the rest of the field, how can anyone argue how wide your strike zone may be? Sort of like the lines of the BB. If I cannot see them, well.......

Perhaps, but that also has the tendency to look a bit lazy. Everyone looks around for HP, wondering, "why doesn't that lazy bum of an ump get out and clean it?"

The fact that I keep it clean when possible earns a little more respect from the players. I often joke with the rec league players who slide into HP that they owe me a Shop-Vac.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by jimpiano

The goal is to get the plate clean.
The means is immaterial.

This doesn't surprise me.

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

Perhaps, but that also has the tendency to look a bit lazy. Everyone looks around for HP, wondering, "why doesn't that lazy bum of an ump get out and clean it?"

The fact that I keep it clean when possible earns a little more respect from the players. I often joke with the rec league players who slide into HP that they owe me a Shop-Vac.

I see the wink, but I still think you lack a sense of humor.

[jimpiano]

This doesn't surprise me.


What's next, the Mike Rowe Order for entering the field for the pre-game meeting of the PU and the BU and the coaches?

An anxious softball nation wants to know.