One more reason to hate strike mats
 

Thanks, batter, but I already saw your bat before the game. No need to check it again. Next time, please don't swing your bat after I call "time, batter" to adjust the mat.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/...e2508d3ffa.jpg
(The yellowish substance is actually glue)

Looks like that hurt a little bit.

You use a mat and an umpire? We have had ball in the fall that used a mat but no umpire but never both.

Senior Men's Slow Pitch Nationals use the mat.

I ALWAYS tell the batter, before I duck to sweep the dish, not to swing. I always lett the batter that I'm already ugly, so there's no need to hit (again)...;)
Batter always smiles and steps away from the plate!

It looks ugly, staying home from work?

Here's a thought. Don't adjust the mat. Instruct the catcher or batter to do it.

I don't touch their bats, their balls (:eek:), their gloves or their masks, their hat/helmets, I'm not adjusting their mat.

The important question...Did you finish the game? :D

I've seen enough close calls by batters that are oblivious to what's going on around them that I've got into the habit or making double sure the batter knows I'm there when I sweep the plate (can't say that I've ever worked a game with a mat before).

I'll make eye contact with the batter to see if he realizes I'm there, hold up a "stop sign" to him (like the "do not pitch" signal) to get his attention and sometimes even say something like, "Don't swing your bat now".

Knock on wood (or aluminum or composite), I haven't been nailed yet!

No, I couldn't finish the game. The hit from the bat sent me to the ER.

I did call time, and the batter did step out. I don't know what possessed him to swing his bat at that moment.

I've called plenty of mat ball games. This was a first.

did you cuss so everyone could hear?

Wanted to, but didn't.

I'm sorry that happened to you. I had a close call doing exactly what you described. The same batter did it two at bats in a row. He did some practice swings after I stepped in to adjust the mat between innings. The second time he did it I politely told him one more time and the league will toss you for the season. I have a ton of patience and understand that we are all there to enjoy the game however common sense just seems to leave the brains of these wanna be Barry Bonds types.

I hope you feel better.