Pitcher's Umpire

[Bandit]

[QUOTE=ASA/NYSSOBLUE;740847]they begin by asking how wide the plate is, and of course some of them answer '17 inches' - then they ask -using a ball as a demo - ask how wide is the black, which is two inches on each side.

What book has "black" on the plate? I don't recall any softball rule book stating anything about "black"?

The plate is 17" wide. End of description.

Now I understand the extra width of the strike zone. AKA. The entire ball does not have to be over the plate to be considered a strike. But this "black" thing is always a courious item of conversation?

[IRISHMAFIA]

[quote=Bandit;741034]

Originally Posted by ASA/NYSSOBLUE

they begin by asking how wide the plate is, and of course some of them answer '17 inches' - then they ask -using a ball as a demo - ask how wide is the black, which is two inches on each side.

What book has "black" on the plate? I don't recall any softball rule book stating anything about "black"?

The plate is 17" wide. End of description.

Now I understand the extra width of the strike zone. AKA. The entire ball does not have to be over the plate to be considered a strike. But this "black" thing is always a courious item of conversation?

Wow, it has been a while, but ASA recognizes and instructs the umpires to consider the black, beveled portion of any plate as the same as the white portion.

[Bandit]

Like I said/stated I always find this interesting and upon the reply of Mr Irishmafia. I must ask. If a runner coming home only steps or contacts the black portion of the plate and then you have an appeal. Do you call the runner out for missing the plate or safe for stepping on the plate?

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by Bandit

Like I said/stated I always find this interesting and upon the reply of Mr Irishmafia. I must ask. If a runner coming home only steps or contacts the black portion of the plate and then you have an appeal. Do you call the runner out for missing the plate or safe for stepping on the plate?

Never - especially if it's the game-ending winning run!
Seriously - a foot on the blasck is going to look the same to me as a foot on the white.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Bandit

Like I said/stated I always find this interesting and upon the reply of Mr Irishmafia. I must ask. If a runner coming home only steps or contacts the black portion of the plate and then you have an appeal. Do you call the runner out for missing the plate or safe for stepping on the plate?

It isn't my reply, it is ASA's. It has been in the clinic guide for quite a few years.

[vcblue]

And egg shape strike zone is much better example than a bow tie. Fat end towards the knees.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by vcblue

And egg shape strike zone is much better example than a bow tie. Fat end towards the knees.

The rectangle strike zone, as described in every rule book, is whole lot better than either.

[BretMan]

Originally Posted by Bandit

If a runner coming home only steps or contacts the black portion of the plate and then you have an appeal. Do you call the runner out for missing the plate or safe for stepping on the plate?

With respect to a runner touching the plate (which is something entirely different than a pitch crossing the plate) I would consider the black as "part of the plate". It is the "side of the plate", in the same sense that the other three bases have a vertical side rising up from the ground.

If a runner touches, say, third base on the side of the bag without touching the 15" square top portion, would you consider her to have touched the plate? Yes!

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Bandit

Like I said/stated I always find this interesting and upon the reply of Mr Irishmafia. I must ask. If a runner coming home only steps or contacts the black portion of the plate and then you have an appeal. Do you call the runner out for missing the plate or safe for stepping on the plate?

Did he touch the plate?

[argodad]

[QUOTE=IRISHMAFIA;741051]

Originally Posted by Bandit

Wow, it has been a while, but ASA recognizes and instructs the umpires to consider the black, beveled portion of any plate as the same as the white portion.

Most of the plates we see in the Florida panhandle no longer have the black, beveled portion. They are a 17" wide slab flush with the dirt. (Pitcher's dads still say, "Come on Blue! That one was on the black!)

[IRISHMAFIA]

[quote=argodad;741340]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Most of the plates we see in the Florida panhandle no longer have the black, beveled portion. They are a 17" wide slab flush with the dirt. (Pitcher's dads still say, "Come on Blue! That one was on the black!)

And that is fine. Unfortunately, not all plates are manufactured and installed equally on all fields for all levels of the game.

Therefore, ASA addressed something that needed to be addressed. Don't see a problem, since both teams are using the same equipment.

[tcannizzo]

[quote=Bandit;741034]

Originally Posted by ASA/NYSSOBLUE

What book has "black" on the plate? I don't recall any softball rule book stating anything about "black"?

What book says "white"? The plate is the plate.