Cleaning the pitchers Plate

[Chess Ref]

I saw a comment in the "Time Out" thread and wanted some feedback on it.

The comment was a slight dig about Blues that clean the PP. I have always cleaned the Pitchers Plate cause I thought it looked good and it well cleaned the plate.

Is cleaning the PP considered beer league ?

I am in the minority in my area but I thought that was because other Blues were lazy. Now I'm thinking I'm a dork for doing it.

Feedback please and as always it's appreciated......

[3afan]

we clean it after the 3rd out if it needs it, but not just to look like we're busy ... in fact thats the mechanic that is taught in the 3 assoc. I work for (1 ASA, 1 USSSA & 1 NFHS) on a regular basis

[SRW]

In Seattle, we teach the BU (PU if solo) to clean it every half inning if it needs it. In fact, it was one of the prescribed mechanics at last year's 16A National.

[scottk_61]

Originally Posted by Chess Ref

I saw a comment in the "Time Out" thread and wanted some feedback on it.

The comment was a slight dig about Blues that clean the PP. I have always cleaned the Pitchers Plate cause I thought it looked good and it well cleaned the plate.

Is cleaning the PP considered beer league ?

I am in the minority in my area but I thought that was because other Blues were lazy. Now I'm thinking I'm a dork for doing it.

Feedback please and as always it's appreciated......

Around here, NFHS and ASA, you better clean it every half inning or get dinged on your eval.
Not so worried about it in SP but in FP you better get it.

This has been standard in almost all of the FP tournaments that I have worked in ASA over the years and it was a definate in the ISF stuff.
The rabbit cleans it in 3 or 4 umpire crews unless someone had gone out, whoever is inside cleans it.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by scottk_61

Around here, NFHS and ASA, you better clean it every half inning or get dinged on your eval.
Not so worried about it in SP but in FP you better get it.

This has been standard in almost all of the FP tournaments that I have worked in ASA over the years and it was a definate in the ISF stuff.
The rabbit cleans it in 3 or 4 umpire crews unless someone had gone out, whoever is inside cleans it.

I agree with Scott (and he may be one of the few umpires with more ASA Nationals than my 21 as an umpire, 3 as umpire coordinator). It is an absolute every half inning in ASA Championship Play, no matter how clean it looks. And, you better face the right way (same as cleaning the plate, face the backstop, butt to center field). And, I play as I practice, so I do it at every level of ASA and NFHS.

In NCAA, you will actually get dinged for sweeping it unnecessarily; there, it seems more a "don't do it like ASA" than actually thinking to save us doing unnecessary work.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

I agree with Scott (and he may be one of the few umpires with more ASA Nationals than my 21 as an umpire, 3 as umpire coordinator). It is an absolute every half inning in ASA Championship Play, no matter how clean it looks. And, you better face the right way (same as cleaning the plate, face the backstop, butt to center field). And, I play as I practice, so I do it at every level of ASA and NFHS.

In NCAA, you will actually get dinged for sweeping it unnecessarily; there, it seems more a "don't do it like ASA" than actually thinking to save us doing unnecessary work.

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.

[argodad]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

...snip... 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.

...snip...

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.

[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.

[scottk_61]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

clean the pitcher's plate WITH THE BRUSH, not your foot, hand, hat or a player's glove.

.

Huh?
I bought some special shoes that have a button on the side, click that button and the brush just pops right out of the bottom!

I tried this line with Merle one time,
Merle isn't known for his great sense of humor.

[bkbjones]

Back when I was actually entrusted with helping train folks, :O they were instructed cleaning the PP was a must do. SRW, for whom I am somewhat to blame, can verify this.

Clean it...if for no other reason than to get a nice "Thank you, blue." Heck, we have one pitcher around here who will have it covered back up by the third warmup pitch...but she ALWAYS has a nice"Thank you, blue" every time.

[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.

[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.