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TOPIC: PLEASE READ! The strike mat is NOT part of home! |
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| DReid
June 6, 2007
6:25:27 PM
Entry #: 2188232
| Some confusion has come about for some reason. The strike zone mat behind home plate has never, is not and never will be part of home plate.
That being said, catchers CAN NOT STAND ON HOME PLATE! I am instructing umpires when I see them that if a catcher is standing on home and obstructing the player from running through home plate, they are to call a dead ball and try to immediately stop play. The runner will be called safe and any other runners on their way to another base will be awarded that base. Apparently this is an issue in Co-Ed league, so managers MAKE SURE YOUR CATCHERS KNOW! They do not stand on the plate. They stand in front of the plate with their toe on the front edge of the plate. Just like they were playing first base.
No matter who has said what or what the "rules' have been in the past, these are the rules. I will post a flyer at both fields behind home reflecting this.
But again, the mat behind home is ONLY for calling balls and strikes. IT IS NOT, I repeat, IT IS NOT part of home plate. Never has been and never will be.
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| SIMPLIVITIS
June 6, 2007
6:46:53 PM
Entry #: 2188288
| DAMN RIGHT DAN, YOU TELL EM!!!!!
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| burd
June 6, 2007
9:49:46 PM
Entry #: 2188701
| dan, are we allowed to slide at home? i noticed someone did it in a church game when i was catching and it surprised me when the ump said it was ok. just wondering.
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| DReid
June 6, 2007
11:23:53 PM
Entry #: 2188846
| It's ok, just no reason to do it. You'll get to home faster if you just run through.
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| another ump
June 7, 2007
3:52:45 PM
Entry #: 2190575
| sliding is legal at any base...just so you know.
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| another ump
June 7, 2007
3:52:45 PM
Entry #: 2190576
| sliding is legal at any base...just so you know.
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| LCranick
June 13, 2007
12:48:01 PM
Entry #: 2202461
| So..... I'm way confused about the whole black mat thing. Up until Monday night I had never heard anyone have any confusion about the black mat being a part of home plate. I played for Aisin Monday night and before the game RSummers announced to the umps that now in coed league only, we are to tag the black mat when running to home plate to avoid collisions.
However, I went to the 8&9pm games between Mollies and Teddies and they didn't hear that new rule.
Dan, One final time can you sort this out for me?
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June 13, 2007
1:51:43 PM
Entry #: 2202650
| Well to add to the confusion -at our last game the umps told us that the black mat was part of the plate and just make sure to touch it when you run in.
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| Rsummers
June 13, 2007
2:39:17 PM
Entry #: 2202796
| The mats are gone.....there should be no confusion, except for balls and strikes...
The confusion was made kinda on my part do to the fact that in every leaugue you play in with a mat...you run to it to avoid injury... remember we are talking adult softball, where people have to work and support their family.
So some umpires allowed it some didnt... so i just stated if they run and touch the mat just let it go....
Cause if anyone takes my catcher out... it wont be nice!!!! Just use your head and common sense!
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| Kbeal
June 13, 2007
3:17:54 PM
Entry #: 2202910
| Just like you said it is adult softball. We are all adults and it would not be that difficult for people to understand wether the mat is either part of home or plate it is not a part of home plate. Is it really worth running into a catcher a home plate. Since you pointed out that it is so confusing to use the mat in the first place. Seems odd that it will be just as confusing to not use the mat because people will now be arguing about balls and strikes instead of wether the mat is part of home plate or not. Removing the mat will not reduce the problem with running into the catcher. In my opinion it is not the difficult to step on home plate. It is just another case of someone being closed minded and not wanting to accept change. Removing the mat was a mistake and I am sure that the umpires will love all of the questioned calls that they will be getting. Not to mention the fact that the strike zone now will be flexible depending on which umpire you get. Seems odd that the biggest problem with the mat is wether or not it was part of home plate. This is just another case of the minority ruining something for the majority. Thanks
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| LCranick
June 13, 2007
6:23:23 PM
Entry #: 2203358
| Since this is recreational adult softball and to help avoid confusion and aguments.... I think we should keep the mat. I was not complaining when I stated that I was confused. I like the mat and I agreed with Robbie when he made his anouncement Monday night about being able to tag the mat when running to home plate because it's a force out anyhow. I think having the mat is safer for everyone. Please consider reinstating the use of the mat especially for coed leagues.
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