Re: Missed the point Mike
 

My error, thanks.

Quote:

Same point as above - did it cross above the knees?

Yes, it is going to be above the knee unless it was pitched at a high velocity.

Quote:

Agreed. But you know as well as I do that the 5.5' pitch that does land behind the plate comes mighty fast. It is difficult to get the delayed dead ball signal and the verbal "illegal" call out before the pitch is caught by the catcher. The 6.5' pitch isn't much slower and again did it cross above the knees?

That is why I don't worry about extending the arm until after the fact. I get the word out and then raise the arm. The batter isn't going to see the arm anyway. Besides, just as your point above about being above the knee, if it is that fast, the pitcher should be getting a warning.

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You are right again but I'm not talking about the black on the sides of the plate. Leave them exposed because as you said it only makes the strike zone wider. I'm talking the black along the edges forming the point of the plate. Cover those edges so you don't have the batter's argument about that pitch hit the plate. The umpire can point to the mark in the dirt (where the black is covered) and call a strike for the properly arched pitch.

I avoid pointing to a mark in the dirt at any point. It adds to the myth that the mark on the ground has some meaning. I find that the beveled edge actually makes the call easier for me to determine and players to accept. However, I have no arguments. If it hits the plate, I call ball and give the appropriate signal (dead ball).

Speaking ASA

Any pitch in which any part of the ball crosses any part of the plate when it passes above the front knee, but below the back shoulder of the batter as they would be standing adjacent to the plate should be ruled a strike.

Don't care where it hits the ground as long as it doesn't touch the plate.


I've always called it a ball but what would you call if the ball comes in at an angle, crosses the front corner and lands on the side of the plate? Slow pitch that is. This for some reason has always bugged me. Please ease my mind with a good explanation. Thanks and great site.

Though it is damn near impossible to tell, but it is quite possible that the pitch that lands alongside the plate did not or was marginal of clearing the front knee.

Rule of thumb around here and the tournaments I have worked has been unless the ball clears the back corner of the plate, it is a dead and a ball unless the batter swings.

CecilOne,

What's the HUH for? UNLESS is the key word in Mike's
response.

glen
AFA, ASA, LL, NFHS, NSA, PONY, USSSA, & http://www.mansun-nl.com/smilies/mecry.gif USFA.

where's the coffee?
 

I thought we were talking about a pitch that lands alongside the plate after crossing it. I understood that it might not clear the knees, but I didn't get it being dead until later when I woke up and remembered the ball is always dead in SP after a pitch (even before .375). Still not sure why you mentioned it in this context, but you do usually quote rules fully.


If I delete my "Huh", would whiskers and Irish delete the responses to it, for the sake of later readers?

Re: where's the coffee?
 

Yes, but the ball is not always dead in SP. There are levels that stealing is allowed except on balls that hit the plate or in front of the back corners.