ASA and U-trip Mens Slow Pitch - Changing Game Ball - Page 2

IRISHMAFIA · #16 (**permalink**) Fri Apr 18, 2003, 10:28am

Quote:

Originally posted by Larks

Why do I sense such animosity towards the player over this bat thing? There is plenty of blame to go around here. Manufacturers, the associations, the parks and the players all share some guilt in the problem. The good news is that it's slowly but surely being addressed.

Here's a question....Does every problem we discuss here always have to revert to bats?

When it comes to equipment, yep. If it wasn't for the bats, the bases and pitcher's plate would probably not have been moved. Runners wouldn't be scared to death when at the corners. Pitcher's wouldn't be covering 2B on the force. Most complexes wouldn't be so out of date with 285-300 foot fences. Infielders and pitchers wouldn't be wearing protective head gear including face masks.

Since the moment the technology started putting bats out of sync with the rest of the game, the governing bodies tried to bring them back. All the players whined and cried about not being able to use the technology available. The players immediately started screaming that it is easier to temper the ball than the bat and would be less expensive for the players. Now that the sanction bodies are doing that, the players are crying about the ball.

Animosity? Not really, just more experience and the ability of seeing the game from outside the circle.

Quote:

PLAYER: "That strike was kinda deep ump!"

UMP: "So, You have a $300 bat and it's only traveling 5 mph"

Ump: Son, here is my rule book. Go back to the bench and read it. When you come to the part where references the word "deep" in relation to a pitch becoming a strike, you can come back out and play. Until then, I need a substitute.

Quote:

PLAYER: "Ump, he was safe"

UMP: "He used a $300 bat, he's out"

Ump: Maybe at the last base, but not this one.

Quote:

PLAYER: "Blue that ball went out of play, we'd like to change it out"

Ump: No, you spent $300 on that bat"

Ump: No problem. Give me a replacement. I'll be more than happy to put it in my bag and get it into the game when the needed. BTW, Forrest, if you don't want that other ball back in the game, don't bring it back.

ChampaignBlue · #17 (**permalink**) Fri Apr 18, 2003, 12:11pm

Well said Mike. Might I add that all you or I have maintained is that the ball must come in from the Umps bag, not from the dugout to the pitcher so that the umpire can be SURE that it's a legal ball. That's for everyones safety and if you believe that there aren't any players that would try to get an illegal ball into the game you've never heard of Ed's AA's. Anytime that I hear a dead ball I take it out of play and I'm sure that most umpires do and those that don't should, if possible. If you tell me that you'll give me a new ball at the top of every inning to play with I will be happy to do that but don't tell me here's a new ball in the bottom of the 7th and insist that I throw that one out to the pitcher for you to hit, you're going to have to foul some off to get to that ball. Jim

Larks · #18 (**permalink**) Fri Apr 18, 2003, 12:32pm

I have talked to my local ASA guy and he said that both teams should supply their 2 game balls to the umpire to start the game. From there, either team may replace those provided they do so at the beginning of their 1/2 inning on offense. The balls then must go thru the normal rotation system. This applies to any inning, even the bottom of the 7th and is fair to both teams.

So, in the end, since the parks supplied crappy used balls for years, we had to go out and buy better and better bats to compensate. This is a step in reversing that trend!! (said tongue in cheek)

IRISHMAFIA · #19 (**permalink**) Fri Apr 18, 2003, 03:59pm

Quote:

Originally posted by Larks
I have talked to my local ASA guy and he said that both teams should supply their 2 game balls to the umpire to start the game. From there, either team may replace those provided they do so at the beginning of their 1/2 inning on offense. The balls then must go thru the normal rotation system. This applies to any inning, even the bottom of the 7th and is fair to both teams.

So, in the end, since the parks supplied crappy used balls for years, we had to go out and buy better and better bats to compensate. This is a step in reversing that trend!! (said tongue in cheek)

Well, my ASA guy will say start with the 2 balls. When team A hits it out of play, I ask for a replacement and into the bag it goes. If the ball is coming right back over the fence, hold off on the replacement and put that ball back in the bag.

When a ball goes out of play, as soon as the umpire's arms come down, the hand should go right to the bag and throw out whatever ball is in his/her hand, hands it to the closest defender, turn to the offensive team and ask for the replacement.

It's worked just fine for more years than you are probably old.

Dakota · #20 (**permalink**) Fri Apr 18, 2003, 04:28pm

Just wanted to chime it to point out that putting a "special" ball in play is not limited to AA SP. I had a 16U rec fastpitch team try that on me last season. Only they were trying to bring in a mush ball whenever they were on defense.

Preventing shenanigans is the primary reason the ball should always go to the umpire first.

Larks · #21 (**permalink**) Fri Apr 18, 2003, 05:03pm

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It's worked just fine for more years than you are probably old.

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Well, I'm 35 Years Young so if you've been around the game that long, your opinion carries some weight. But that doesnt mean that as a player of 15 years, I dont have some good feedback on how the players feel.

Thank you for the feedback and conversation.