Plate Conference

[JefferMC]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Well, unless local rules are different, the clock does not start until the first pitch. I would like it to start at the end of this meeting, but that change just didn't fly.

I don't know of anywhere around here where the clock doesn't start at the end of the plate conference. The PU leaves the plate conference, goes to his kitchen timer hanging on the backstop and mashes ( :-) ) the START button.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by JefferMC

I don't know of anywhere around here where the clock doesn't start at the end of the plate conference. The PU leaves the plate conference, goes to his kitchen timer hanging on the backstop and mashes ( :-) ) the START button.

You actually ARE from around here, aren't ya?

In ASA, the clock starts when the first pitch is thrown, not when the plate conference ends.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

You actually ARE from around here, aren't ya?

In ASA, the clock starts when the first pitch is thrown, not when the plate conference ends.

This is my only exception to my "local rules are for fools" mantra.

[JefferMC]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

You actually ARE from around here, aren't ya?

Yep. Though that OBX dialect video had me scratching my head.

In ASA, the clock starts when the first pitch is thrown, not when the plate conference ends.

Someone really needs to tell some people south of "the border." What I've just outlined happened at the beginning of every ASA game I witnessed last summer including National Qualifiers, State Championships (which were in essence qualifiers) and "invitationals," in at least three different parks (but generally all overseen by the same TD and UIC).

Originally Posted by SRW

Ugh. Don't get me started on kitchen timers on the fence

I made sure I used the words "kitchen timer hanging on the backstop" just for you, SRW.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by JefferMC

...Someone really needs to tell some people south of "the border." What I've just outlined happened at the beginning of every ASA game I witnessed last summer including National Qualifiers, State Championships (which were in essence qualifiers) and "invitationals," in at least three different parks (but generally all overseen by the same TD and UIC)...

I'll bet few (or maybe even none) exactly followed the rest of the ASA timed game rule, either. These rules are frequently adjusted by TDs / leagues.

Personally, I find the "time of the first pitch" to be an unusable point in time if the PU is also the timekeeper. I use "batter up" as a reasonably close, but usable, point, unless end of the plate meeting is specified.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by JefferMC

Someone really needs to tell some people south of "the border." What I've just outlined happened at the beginning of every ASA game I witnessed last summer including National Qualifiers, State Championships (which were in essence qualifiers) and "invitationals," in at least three different parks (but generally all overseen by the same TD and UIC).

Don't have to tell them anything other than read the first sentence of ASA 5.10.

Originally Posted by marvin

One of the tourney rules that NSA Indiana uses is to stop the timer for every team time out in the last ten minutes of a game. There are almost no unnecessary time outs taken because you can't run time off the clock that way.

Sort of defeats the purpose of having a clock in the first place.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by JefferMC

Someone really needs to tell some people south of "the border."

You mean that place just off I-95?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

You mean that place just off I-95?

Say hi to Pedro

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Say hi to Pedro

Been there many a time. It was sort of a regional requisite back in the day, much in the same way that the Czech Stop in West is for Texans today.

[JefferMC]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

You mean that place just off I-95?

Is that place still in business? That's a bit east for me.

And, Irish, I did look it up when Dave stated it was an ASA rule.

But as Dakota points out, you're going to have trouble calling that first pitch a ball or a strike while standing at the backstop pushing the button. (Can we call that the "KitchenAid stance?") I suspect one or two umpires add a minute to allow for the time it takes to get everyone on the field, but I know from observation that most of them do not.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by JefferMC

Is that place still in business? That's a bit east for me.

I think so. Wife and I drove by it in October or November when we went to Florida, and it was still open then.

Originally Posted by JefferMC

And, Irish, I did look it up when Dave stated it was an ASA rule.

But as Dakota points out, you're going to have trouble calling that first pitch a ball or a strike while standing at the backstop pushing the button. (Can we call that the "KitchenAid stance?") I suspect one or two umpires add a minute to allow for the time it takes to get everyone on the field, but I know from observation that most of them do not.

I think it's better to push the button, walk back to the catcher, signal "play" and lose a few seconds than it is to lose a couple of minutes by starting the clock after the plate conference.

Sure, some coaches will hem and haw over those precious few seconds, but if they're that concerned, hire an actual scorekeeper to keep the clock (and a legitimate book, for that matter).

[JefferMC]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

I think it's better to push the button, walk back to the catcher, signal "play" and lose a few seconds than it is to lose a couple of minutes by starting the clock after the plate conference.

Okay, now that you mention it, I have seen the rare Plate Umpire who does walk back and start the timer after the first pitch. But this is extremely rare.

Sure, some coaches will hem and haw over those precious few seconds, but if they're that concerned, hire an actual scorekeeper to keep the clock (and a legitimate book, for that matter).

Some volunteer scorekeepers are very conscientious and care about keeping a legitimate book. Granted, some are all about inflating their daughters stats and some just don't have a clue. But, there's bit of range in the quality of umpires, too.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by JefferMC

Is that place still in business? That's a bit east for me.

And, Irish, I did look it up when Dave stated it was an ASA rule.

But as Dakota points out, you're going to have trouble calling that first pitch a ball or a strike while standing at the backstop pushing the button.

Which is why I have the BU keep the time.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Which is why I have the BU keep the time.

Does the BU still put the kitchen timer on the RF fence?

[SRW]

Originally Posted by JefferMC

I don't know of anywhere around here where the clock doesn't start at the end of the plate conference. The PU leaves the plate conference, goes to his kitchen timer hanging on the backstop and mashes ( :-) ) the START button.

Ugh. Don't get me started on kitchen timers on the fence...