I can understand an occasional need to brush a base, but the guys I was watching, were cleaning off a fully visible base. I mean there may have been a slight spray of dirt over the base.

BTW, another LL question.

The last few years I've been watching, boys or girls, I do not recall seeing a female umpire on TV. I know they are out there, but do they get a chance to advance.

Actuall, PU at the last game yesterday was a woman. Did a very solid job and it would be great if she got one of the TV games. There was also a woman out here last year, and about 8 or 9 years ago a woman got the world championship plate at Williamsport.

Didn't see any brushing off bases, but there was a BU who was quite vigilant about signaling foul balls off the backstop, but on the one ripped a couple feet wide of the bag...just a sharp point, no verbal...?

Overall they look all right this year.

Steve,

Don't tell me you have forgotten the days of ASA teaching us to brush in unison (regardless of how clean the base was) and then touch the brush to our fingertips when the last one was done so that we all could "break" to our positions at the same time? I know that was years ago...and things have gotten better...but old habits are hard to break!!

I can still remember LF telling us....I don't care how close to the line you stand in between innings......just as long as you are no more than 1/4 inch from it!!!!

Those were the days my friend!! :)

Sure, I remember that. It (sweeping the bases) was done between innings, after the "throw down", so as to not break the flow of the game. No one taught us to call time every time someone slides into a base to brush it. And that is what these clowns are doing, and thinking it makes them look professional.

And, speaking of professional, I don't recall EVER seeing a MLB umpire sweep a bag.

Oh....I agree with you. I was just pointing out how anal we used to be...whether it was between innings or any other time!! And the challenge of breaking old habits....or doing things without a substantive reason...just because we were told to?

Rarely see them sweep much of anything. However, over the past couple of years, I have seen umpires use their feet to clean the plate.