ASA Called Strike
- Thread starter ALo4
- Start date
NCASAUmp
Un-Retired
Just to further clarify, the black is considered part of the plate. The plate is supposed to be buried under the ground, leaving only the white portion exposed. However, just about every field has at least some portion of the black of the plate exposed.
So look at it this way - how likely is it that the ball can hit just the black portion of the plate without touching at least some tiny little portion of the white? Not very likely at all. So rather than try and split that hair, if the ball hits any portion of the plate, black or white, it hit the plate. Ball.
So look at it this way - how likely is it that the ball can hit just the black portion of the plate without touching at least some tiny little portion of the white? Not very likely at all. So rather than try and split that hair, if the ball hits any portion of the plate, black or white, it hit the plate. Ball.
azsoftball
Whatever
Are you talking about black mat or the black trim around the white plate. If black trim around the white plate then NCASAUmp is right. If your talking about black mat then it's a strike (depends on your league or tournament director).
NCASAUmp
Un-Retired
Either way, the black is still part of the plate.
kingpin119
Addicted to Softballfans
I know this question is for asa, but in utrip the black is not considered part of home plate.
MaverickAH
Well-Known Member
How I've always been instructed is that if it's exposed, it's part of the plate!
EAJuggalo
Addicted to Softballfans
Do you have any documentation to support this?
kingpin119
Addicted to Softballfans
Look on page 15 sec. 4 of the 2015 rulebook. it says "The black border that outlines the plate is NOT to be considered home plate."
[ame="http://web.usssa.com/usssa/usssa-general/2015SPRulebook.pdf"]http://web.usssa.com/usssa/usssa-general/2015SPRulebook.pdf[/ame]
SammyJaxxx
Starting Player
If enough of the black is exposed it can. Especially on the front side.
DeputyUICHousto
Addicted to Softballfans
It's not rocket science
If you were to pick the plate up does the back come with it? Of course! The black is part of the plate!
If you were to pick the plate up does the back come with it? Of course! The black is part of the plate!
kingpin119
Addicted to Softballfans
yes, true in asa, but not in utrip, and yes the black comes up with it when picked up.
And let's clarify even a little further....In the ASA/USA red rulebook it says, and I'm paraphrasing here, "where the ball passes OVER any part of the plate. Now call me a strictest, but that doesn't say anything about it being a strike if it hits the black. It says it must not touch the plate. For all of you who say it's a hitter's game, of course it is. It's also a runner's game, and a fielder's game. You wouldn't call someone safe if they got close to the base. You wouldn't call an out if the ball hit the ground just before the fielder caught the line drive. Why would you have an attitude of, "Well, it was close enough to the strike zone to hit so it's a strike?" Personally, that's just lazy umpiring.
irishmafia
Addicted to Softballfans
The "black" is considered part of the plate. If a pitch crosses it in the strike zone, it is a strike. If the pitch hits the black, it is considered to have hit the plate.
irishmafia
Addicted to Softballfans
And if this were a U-trip thread, that would be a valid response.