Cleaning the pitchers Plate

[jimpiano]

Originally Posted by bkbjones

OK, I will feed the troll.

Yes, there is a proper way to enter the field for the pregame meeting - and other things real umpires do before that meeting occurs.

So, Jim, what is the f'n point? If it is solely to demean Mike, well, I again refer to Ball Four and the anatomically impossible act described by bouton et al.

I'm not saying Mike or anyone else - even me - is always 100% correct on every thing. I don't always agree with everything everyone says.

But I and many others will not abide personal demeaning attacks on Mike. He has the credentials, the knowledge and the ability. He is a proven entity.

Then, of course, so are you - just in a different, horrible way.

Well I am sure glad you followed your own advice and refrained from demeaning attacks.

[jimpiano]

Originally Posted by bkbjones

I didn't attack or demean anyone who has earned any sort of respect.

(Hitting head against monitor for feeding the troll. When will I learn???????)

I am sure the only damage was to the monitor.

[wadeintothem]

My .02 on the OP..

If getting eval'd.. clean the dang plate.. thats part of the ASA busy body torture the BU stuff.

If its really bad clean it..

Other than that, I got other stuff to do, even if its nothing.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

My .02 on the OP..

If getting eval'd.. clean the dang plate.. thats part of the ASA busy body torture the BU stuff.

If its really bad clean it..

Other than that, I got other stuff to do, even if its nothing.

To be honest, since some brilliant mind decided the BU's needed to be in the OF instead of visiting your partner between innings, unless I need some water or to towel off, I'd rather clean the plate just to kill the time.

[tcannizzo]

Originally Posted by argodad

Awww Mike! My size 14 "brush" is much more efficient than the little one. I will foot-swipe a heavily-covered pitcher's plate -- or even home plate -- before getting down to business with the brush.

Perhaps Bernie Profato needs to add that one to his collection of brushes.
My favorite was the one with a telescopic handle.

[Mountaineer]

Originally Posted by bkbjones

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.

I think Honigs is coming out with a brush/plate shoe attachment for 2008 . . . should be a big seller!

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

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

This is my serious face. Can't you see I'm serious?

Just kidding, Mike. I actually did get it when I first read it, but didn't want others without a sense of humor to actually take you seriously.

[scottk_61]

Originally Posted by jimpiano

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

Surprise, surprise...................

At what point will you realize that you are a trolling moron that no self respecting umpire would want to work with?

Just where in h$%#%# do you work ball games as you describe?
I just have to see this and the goof balls that would put up with you.

[bkbjones]

Originally Posted by scottk_61

Surprise, surprise...................

At what point will you realize that you are a trolling moron that no self respecting umpire would want to work with?

Just where in h$%#%# do you work ball games as you describe?
I just have to see this and the goof balls that would put up with you.

That's whyt I went back and deleted my posts...I am so sorry for feeding the troll.

[scottk_61]

Originally Posted by bkbjones

That's whyt I went back and deleted my posts...I am so sorry for feeding the troll.

I truly hope that no one thought I was directing my comments at anyone other than the troll.

The real umpires are people that I like to read and exchange ideas with.

[jimpiano]

Originally Posted by scottk_61

Surprise, surprise...................

At what point will you realize that you are a trolling moron that no self respecting umpire would want to work with?

Just where in h$%#%# do you work ball games as you describe?
I just have to see this and the goof balls that would put up with you.

Oh, I see, the goal is to look good while attempting to clean the plate.
Does this earn you more letters of the alphabet to list after your name?

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

To be honest, since some brilliant mind decided the BU's needed to be in the OF instead of visiting your partner between innings, unless I need some water or to towel off, I'd rather clean the plate just to kill the time.

Well, where I work it ranges from 90's to 118 F and I'm working 4,5,6 games in a day, I'm all about the water and keeping myself cool... because there are times you feel your head spinning. I watch many players and umpires take a dive... I know how to stay up - Aqua.

That pitchers plate is a waste of time.

I worked with an NCAA guy in 3 man and he was like "so where do you want to meet between innings, center field"

HA! Dream on, i'm not hanging out in center field.

"Well I'll be right over there by my water bottle between innings."

A few innings in he was cramping up!. this NCAA robot crap .. he brings no water!!

Experienced good umpire.. but NCAA weeded out the survival skills for the long hot tourney play.

I went and got him a water and told him to drink.

lordie.

[azbigdawg]

Ill clean it if im in the middle and its dirty...


If I'm on the line and its real dirty, Ill go get it.

It all depends on what Im working...

But someone wisely mentioned water between innings.... ( I live in the desert). If I have to chose.......... agua wins....

[IRISHMAFIA]

You guys in the Southwest....do you think you have exclusive rights to a sweltering heat?

I'll take the heat you guys get any day compared to other areas. For example, where's Larry? Larry, tell them about the 95 degree/95 humidity under a big hot sun in the panhandle. And that is 7 AM. Don't bother taking a shower, it's a waste of time.

Yeah, I know it's tough in parts of the country, but sometimes it sounds like martyrdom in your areas. Everywhere, even in the Northeast, it can get outright and dangerously hot and nasty.

Meanwhile, back to the topic. I noted getting water and toweling off. And yes, I keep a water bottle on the field and will readily accept additional water from anyone who offers it. And the grass is where I stand between every play because that is where you get cool. I just don't like standing out there between innings

However, there is always someone within a second or two of the PP at the end of each half inning. If it needs cleaning, clean it in a professional manner. If your UIC tells you to clean it every half inning, do it.

[Chess Ref]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Yeah, I know it's tough in parts of the country, but sometimes it sounds like martyrdom in your areas. Everywhere, even in the Northeast, it can get outright and dangerously hot and nasty. .

Since we are trying to start another topic in this thread let me tell you a tale of heat.....

Central Valley , Ca. About 4 August's ago. I am playing in a tennis tourney and the temp. is about 105. SO on the courts it's about 120 ish...It's early Sunday mornigs . I play a 2 and half hour semi-final match. No problems. I play about a 3 hour finals match. I win. yeah me. My wife pours me into the back of the SUV for about an hour ride home. Minor cramps on the road. Nothing out of the ordinary. We pull into the driveway and my WHOLE Body cramps up. Firetrucks-with lights/sirens, ambulances,wife in hysterics, busy body Bonnie from across the street. It was a spectacle. Give me some IV's and a ride to the hospital. EKG's, blood tests, heart tests man it was a 6 six hour emergency room visit.

Believe it or not I know how to take care of myself in the heat and sometimes even doing the right stuff is not enough. I always drink water/gatorade and even eat banana's between games.