roughing up finish on softballs
 

What is taught as the correct procedure for roughing up the finish on new game balls for JO and HS games? Usually I get the new balls at the plate meeting and rub them in the dirt a little after the meeting is complete. A friend of mine says that is incorrect since the players can't do, I shouldn't either. Some say give the game balls to the infielders to warm up with during the first inning but I usually forget to do this. Any thoughts or preferences? Dave

In my HS games (in OR) the home coach usually gives a game ball to each starting pitcher before we even show up at the field. The pitchers know what to do with them, so we ordinarily don't have to rough them up. The first we see of the game balls is usually the plate meeting where they get checked for required markings, etc.

Step 1 - Take Ball, remove plastic.

Step 2 - Put in ball bag.

Step 3 - Walk on field, roll as close to circle as I can get.

In some situations I do give to warming up pitchers, in fast paced tournies, I dont.

I would say, in general, dont worry about it. It is not a priority in JO ball to the players. It is more of a thing some umpires do, essentially for themselves taking following baseball's lead. Give a brand new ball to a pitcher and she throws it...end of story.

I don't call FP, but... I think your friend is both right and wrong. The players shouldn't be doing it, only because you don't know exactly what they're putting on the ball. However, you do.

Do I do it? No. That ball will get scuffed up soon enough.

For God's sake, what the hell is the big deal? Regardless of which game you are umpiring, if the ball has a sheen to it, pick up a handful of dirt and rub down the ball. If a player wants to do it, fine. Just watch them do it.

There is nothing new here that hasn't been going on for decades.

Is this rolling on the field that you do something that is unique to you, or to your area? Doesn't it get your uniform dirty??? :D

I usually get to the field early enough to insure both pitchers are using one of
the game balls for warm-up. Then with another new new ball let the defense
team use it for their warm-up. Now you have three rubbed up softballs.

How does allowing pitchers to warm up with the game balls insure the balls readiness for play?

Even if a few get into the dirt, so what?

I take them however I am given them. If I am given 3-5 shiny new balls, then we will play with shiny new balls. If I am given good quality used (read warmed up with before I got there) balls, then that is what we play with. Either way, both pitchers are on even ground.

It is not unusual (especially in tournaments) to start a game with one new and one used ball, so only the home team pitcher "has" to use a new ball. Especially with Dudley balls, I will typically rough them up a little, since it seems to me that they are worse than others on the hard, shiny finish (confirmed somewhat by pitcher's whining...). I also don't notice when a pitcher with a new ball happens to get some dirt on the ball that she proceeds to vigorously "wipe off". ;)

Ha! Thats funny.

They know what they will be using, so if smart they work 'em over. :D

The only problem we ever have is getting the sweat off when they take them out of the freezer. No wait maybe it's the microwave. I can't remember.

The best balls on the market are the microcells which are unaffected by temperature change and cost no more than any other ball.

It sort of antiquates the notion of icing or heating, but I doubt most of the players can figure that one out by themselves.

Why wasnt THIS post the end of the thread??????:confused: