From the baseball board....

[ctblu40]

Originally Posted by Dakota

-- NCAA Softball Umpire Manual

Hmmm... what's the brush for on the bases?

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by ctblu40

Hmmm... what's the brush for on the bases?

BU cleans the pitcher's plate in ASA. Can't speak with any authority on NCAA, but I wouldn't be surprised if that were part of their mechanics.

[Az.Ump]

Form the 2007 NCAA Umpires Manual.

Equipment:
• Black mask and harness. Black or tan pads (black is preferred). Black throat protector if
not built into the mask. Avoid visible advertising if possible.
• All black mask/helmet – a hat must be worn with a helmet (wearing a helmet is discouraged
as it tends to draw attention to the umpire)
• Ball/strike indicator – must be used on plate and bases
• Brush – every umpire must carry one
• Navy blue or heather gray ball bag with no insignias
• Pen or pencil
• Bat Ring

• Between inning mechanics
— Base umpires position is in the grass, 10-15 feet from the line, fronting the plate
— Plate umpire is 8-10 feet from the plate, opposite the team coming to bat
— Pitcher’s plate is swept, only if needed, using the following priority system:
•• The remaining umpire on the infield;
•• The umpire who ends the inning in the middle of the diamond;
•• 3B umpire if both umpires end the inning on the lines

Paul