Home Plate

[SNIPERBBB]

You can generally tell by the bounce. If it goes up, it hit the plate. Sideways it's the rubber.

We've always called it as not hitting the plate. Course now everything slow pitch around here use the strike mats.

[chapmaja]

Originally Posted by SNIPERBBB

You can generally tell by the bounce. If it goes up, it hit the plate. Sideways it's the rubber.

We've always called it as not hitting the plate. Course now everything slow pitch around here use the strike mats.

I have always been told the black IS part of the plate.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by chapmaja

I have always been told the black IS part of the plate.

Don't know about slo-pitch softball, but in fast-pitch, you've been told wrong. I can't imagine why it would be different in the "slower" side of the house.

[SNIPERBBB]

USSSA specifically defines the black edge as not to be considered as part of the plate.

[AtlUmpSteve]

The black is a visual edge that is beyond the dimensions assigned to the plate, therefore it is treated as part of the river. A sliding runner that touches black is similar to touching the side of a base by a runner or fielder.

Take a softball ball, and place it on the black part of a home plate. Place it so that it touches the black but no part touches the white.

Guess what? It can't be done with a 12" softball, it will always touch the edge of the white (with part of the ball hanging over the white, meaning a strike if it didn't hit the plate), too. No matter which way the ball bounces, it touched the plate, and is a ball by rule (and a dead ball when stealing is allowed).

While it shouldn't be said it is part of the plate (because it isn't), it should be treated that way. Simple response when the pitcher/catcher argue it hit the black; you tell them it hit the white, too. Play on.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Or the simple answer is that ASA states if the black is visible, it should be handled the same as the white for defensive and offensive purposes.

[MD Longhorn]

Unless you've dug a huge trench right next to home plate, it's impossible for the ball to hit the black and not hit the white.

[SNIPERBBB]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

Unless you've dug a huge trench right next to home plate, it's impossible for the ball to hit the black and not hit the white.

Not true in many areas.

[k-blue]

IrishMafia

We use ASA as well, is that written somewhere from ASA or is that something that has been passed along through the years?

I was taught the same thing, consider the black part of the plate, but can't find it in black and white to show anyone when asked. We are a military community and therefore are always getting different officials in each year and now many are no longer seeing it that way.

Thanks for your comments.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by k-blue

IrishMafia

We use ASA as well, is that written somewhere from ASA or is that something that has been passed along through the years?

I was taught the same thing, consider the black part of the plate, but can't find it in black and white to show anyone when asked. We are a military community and therefore are always getting different officials in each year and now many are no longer seeing it that way.

Thanks for your comments.

It has been included in the ASA Clinic Guide since before they started putting them on a CD. Last I have is 2013.