Rubbing Mud

[Thunderheads]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Except by rule the umpire rubs the baseballs. When they toss you three pearls to start the game what do you do then?

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What rule requires the umpires to rub the baseballs? As to your question, I make sure they have the NFHS stamp on them, and then I put two in my right ball bag and give one to F2.  I couldn't care less if they are rubbed up or not. Whao? really?  I always at least rub them in the dirt by home plate to get some shine off for the F1's .....

If you throw the pitcher a pearl he's going to rub it up and more than likely grab a handful of dirt to do it. Then your partner is going to have to call time and inspect the baseball and rub it up himself.

 

 

Good theory, but this doesn't happen.  They just start warming up and play the game.  They're plenty worn by the end of the first inning anyway.  If they want baseballs without a sheen on them, then I suggest they take the sheen off themselves.  When you need more baseballs in a later inning, do you rub those up too?  What if the batter fouls off four in a row into the ravine on the right side and they give you three pearls - do you rub those up during the at-bat?  Keep in mind that NFHS baseballs have stitching that is MUCH more raised than MLB baseballs - they don't need the sheen rubbed off them nearly as much.

 

I know a guy that has thrown baseballs to the pitcher still in their plastic wrapping because that's how they were given to him.  I would never do that, but pretty funny nonetheless.

 

Steve, ...within reason man, within reason!! LOL

 

 

My point is that this is HS baseball.  In the NCAA, they give you a dozen prior to the game and you rub all of them up so the baseballs they bring into the game later are already rubbed up.  In HS, they give you 3 or 4 at the plate meeting, and frankly, I have more important duties to attend to than rub the sheen off of baseballs.  I'm taking warmup pitches, getting to know F2, checking to see if F1 is using a hybrid stance, making sure there aren't more than 2 guys warming up with bats, no equipment out of the dugout, etc.

 

Steve, I'm not talking about a complete rub-down for god's sake ...it's just roll in the dirt with my shoe, pick it up, rub it, done, ... 2 seconds, ... it can easily be done  between the time you get the baseballs and the plate meeting beginning ........  that being said, I agree w/ your post here, I understand what you're saying completely

 

 

It's all good Jeff.  If others want to rub up the baseballs, have at it.  I used to do it but feel like it's just a waste of time since the balls get worn pretty fast during the game anyway.  It's not like we're replacing a ball when a pitch hits the dirt like in MLB.  I will only remove a ball if the stitching breaks, or if there is a pretty severe gash or tear in it.  Schools have tight budgets.

 

To be honest Steve,...I hate doing it, and may just stop because of this thread!  Thanks!

[JaxRolo]

Anything below College level there is no need to Rub the Balls!

[BigUmpire]

Anything below College level there is no need to Rub the Balls!

Speak for your self Chief!

O baseballs, sorry.

[grayhawk]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Except by rule the umpire rubs the baseballs. When they toss you three pearls to start the game what do you do then?

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

What rule requires the umpires to rub the baseballs? As to your question, I make sure they have the NFHS stamp on them, and then I put two in my right ball bag and give one to F2.  I couldn't care less if they are rubbed up or not. Whao? really?  I always at least rub them in the dirt by home plate to get some shine off for the F1's .....

If you throw the pitcher a pearl he's going to rub it up and more than likely grab a handful of dirt to do it. Then your partner is going to have to call time and inspect the baseball and rub it up himself.

 

 

Good theory, but this doesn't happen.  They just start warming up and play the game.  They're plenty worn by the end of the first inning anyway.  If they want baseballs without a sheen on them, then I suggest they take the sheen off themselves.  When you need more baseballs in a later inning, do you rub those up too?  What if the batter fouls off four in a row into the ravine on the right side and they give you three pearls - do you rub those up during the at-bat?  Keep in mind that NFHS baseballs have stitching that is MUCH more raised than MLB baseballs - they don't need the sheen rubbed off them nearly as much.

 

I know a guy that has thrown baseballs to the pitcher still in their plastic wrapping because that's how they were given to him.  I would never do that, but pretty funny nonetheless.

 

Steve, ...within reason man, within reason!! LOL

 

 

My point is that this is HS baseball.  In the NCAA, they give you a dozen prior to the game and you rub all of them up so the baseballs they bring into the game later are already rubbed up.  In HS, they give you 3 or 4 at the plate meeting, and frankly, I have more important duties to attend to than rub the sheen off of baseballs.  I'm taking warmup pitches, getting to know F2, checking to see if F1 is using a hybrid stance, making sure there aren't more than 2 guys warming up with bats, no equipment out of the dugout, etc.

 

Steve, I'm not talking about a complete rub-down for god's sake ...it's just roll in the dirt with my shoe, pick it up, rub it, done, ... 2 seconds, ... it can easily be done  between the time you get the baseballs and the plate meeting beginning ........  that being said, I agree w/ your post here, I understand what you're saying completely

 

 

It's all good Jeff.  If others want to rub up the baseballs, have at it.  I used to do it but feel like it's just a waste of time since the balls get worn pretty fast during the game anyway.  It's not like we're replacing a ball when a pitch hits the dirt like in MLB.  I will only remove a ball if the stitching breaks, or if there is a pretty severe gash or tear in it.  Schools have tight budgets.

 

To be honest Steve,...I hate doing it, and may just stop because of this thread!  Thanks!

 

 

Test it out.  Do a game where you give them the pearls and see what happens.

[JDavis225]

^{Funny I read this today. Yesterday in GAME 3 of a series we were brought balls to rub. I was confused but guess what? WE RUBBED THEM. Fortunate enough there was mud provided being as we played in a minor league stadium (I had some just in case). I actually threw one out to the pitcher that he didn't like and he tossed back. HIs coach yelled "Has it been rubbed?" and I turned and said yes, with a nod.  If you're working games where they ask you to rub baseballs, be happy! Most of the time it means you'll be working some pretty decent baseball because the coach at least knows something about rubbing the balls. LOL}

[Haid D' Salaami]

If I worked a level that required umpires to rub the baseballs, then I would do so without hesitation.  That said, it is my personal opinion that this is something umpires should not have to do.  Should we drag and line the field too?  Maybe we should sell hot dogs in the concession stand between innings.  Team personnel (ball/bat boys, etc) are the ones that should be doing this, not umpires.  The only possible reason I can think of for umpires to do this is to ensure nobody is doctoring the baseballs prior to the game.  That probably happened once 50 years ago so they made the umpires rub up the baseballs after that.

Do you know the real reason behind rubbing the balls.

[BigUmpire]

If I worked a level that required umpires to rub the baseballs, then I would do so without hesitation. That said, it is my personal opinion that this is something umpires should not have to do. Should we drag and line the field too? Maybe we should sell hot dogs in the concession stand between innings. Team personnel (ball/bat boys, etc) are the ones that should be doing this, not umpires. The only possible reason I can think of for umpires to do this is to ensure nobody is doctoring the baseballs prior to the game. That probably happened once 50 years ago so they made the umpires rub up the baseballs after that.

Do you know the real reason behind rubbing the balls. Wow! Could we have fun with this question!

[grayhawk]

 

If I worked a level that required umpires to rub the baseballs, then I would do so without hesitation.  That said, it is my personal opinion that this is something umpires should not have to do.  Should we drag and line the field too?  Maybe we should sell hot dogs in the concession stand between innings.  Team personnel (ball/bat boys, etc) are the ones that should be doing this, not umpires.  The only possible reason I can think of for umpires to do this is to ensure nobody is doctoring the baseballs prior to the game.  That probably happened once 50 years ago so they made the umpires rub up the baseballs after that.

Do you know the real reason behind rubbing the balls.

 

 

I know why baseballs are rubbed.  I don't know why umpires were chosen to do it.  I also know that MLB umpires don't rub the baseballs anymore.

[BigUmpire]

If I worked a level that required umpires to rub the baseballs, then I would do so without hesitation.  That said, it is my personal opinion that this is something umpires should not have to do.  Should we drag and line the field too?  Maybe we should sell hot dogs in the concession stand between innings.  Team personnel (ball/bat boys, etc) are the ones that should be doing this, not umpires.  The only possible reason I can think of for umpires to do this is to ensure nobody is doctoring the baseballs prior to the game.  That probably happened once 50 years ago so they made the umpires rub up the baseballs after that.

Do you know the real reason behind rubbing the balls.

Come on don't make us wait.

 

I know why baseballs are rubbed.  I don't know why umpires were chosen to do it.  I also know that MLB umpires don't rub the baseballs anymore.

[celt62]

 

 

If I worked a level that required umpires to rub the baseballs, then I would do so without hesitation.  That said, it is my personal opinion that this is something umpires should not have to do.  Should we drag and line the field too?  Maybe we should sell hot dogs in the concession stand between innings.  Team personnel (ball/bat boys, etc) are the ones that should be doing this, not umpires.  The only possible reason I can think of for umpires to do this is to ensure nobody is doctoring the baseballs prior to the game.  That probably happened once 50 years ago so they made the umpires rub up the baseballs after that.

Do you know the real reason behind rubbing the balls.

 

 

I know why baseballs are rubbed.  I don't know why umpires were chosen to do it.  I also know that MLB umpires don't rub the baseballs anymore.

 

True, in MLB the clubhouse guys do it.  But the umps kick in money for him also so they don't have to do it.  Great video on YouTube about a clubhouse guy doing it (I wish I could remember the link) and a whole episode of Dirty Jobs how they get the mud.  A real Mom and Pop organization.  Fun to watch as they blindfolded Mike Rowe so he wouldn't know about the "secret location".  Good stuff.

[BigUmpire]

MLB Umpires kick in money to the clubhouse guys all of the time BUT they make a little more than $50.00 per game.

[Rook23]

Granted I only work HS and lower, but in HS games if the coach hands me all pearls straight out of the plastic at the plate meeting I hand them back and tell him to have someone rub them down before we start.  I may or may not use a tone that's not condescending but more of the tone your mom used when she was disappointed in you.  That doesn't happen around here often, but when I do that it doesn't happen more than once with the same coach.  Train your coaches, fellas. 

 

Before you say I should do it so the home team doesn't Dr. the ball, I look at the balls before I throw them in.  Also each team uses the balls provided so it's not like it's advantageous for them to throw in Dr'd balls. 

 

With the little ones, I'm more concerned with making sure the balls those fools are trying to give me are actually leather and not that faux leather that magically turns into plastic after 3 pitches they all try to use.  

[Mike Prince]

Parts of the discussion (especially the HS and below contributions) are interesting.  The HT hands you pearls that have not been rubbed.  Who are they hurting?  Their pitcher is who they are hurting.  As long as the balls meet the parameters of the ruleset you are working, put it in play.  If you feel the need to dispel your nervous energy and rub a bit of dirt on the balls, that's fine too.  Starting the game off with a lecture to the home coach about baseballs is not getting off on the right foot IMO.

 

If your level of play does not require the balls to be rubbed, whether you do it or not is your choice.  If it does (NCAA) then the choice has been made for you and you have the balls prior to stepping onto the field.  Seems pretty simple to me.

[JaxRolo]

Granted I only work HS and lower, but in HS games if the coach hands me all pearls straight out of the plastic at the plate meeting I hand them back and tell him to have someone rub them down before we start.  I may or may not use a tone that's not condescending but more of the tone your mom used when she was disappointed in you.  That doesn't happen around here often, but when I do that it doesn't happen more than once with the same coach.  Train your coaches, fellas. 

 

Before you say I should do it so the home team doesn't Dr. the ball, I look at the balls before I throw them in.  Also each team uses the balls provided so it's not like it's advantageous for them to throw in Dr'd balls. 

 

With the little ones, I'm more concerned with making sure the balls those fools are trying to give me are actually leather and not that faux leather that magically turns into plastic after 3 pitches they all try to use.  

 

Why? They are not required to be rubbed down. They are going to only be pearls for a pitch or 2.

[Rook23]

Lecture? "Have someone rub those down for me, coach" is a lecture now? Man my college profs where way off.

It's usually the first thing that happens in a plate meeting - they hand you balls and line ups. He throws em to a freshman or pitcher who doesn't see the field and they rub them down like they're going into game 7 and they're done before the meetings over.

Keep in mind most HS coaches are smart enough to give you rubbed up balls to start with. Most.

Why bother rubbing them down? Because in HS if you throw a pearl in F1 is going to rub it down on mound and they usually use dirt to do so. Then you have the opposite coach chirping about Dr-ing the balls if he's a butthole or if they're losing. Why deal with that If it's a simple fix?

[Mike Prince]

Granted I only work HS and lower, but in HS games if the coach hands me all pearls straight out of the plastic at the plate meeting I hand them back and tell him to have someone rub them down before we start.  I may or may not use a tone that's not condescending but more of the tone your mom used when she was disappointed in you.  That doesn't happen around here often, but when I do that it doesn't happen more than once with the same coach.  Train your coaches, fellas. 

 

Before you say I should do it so the home team doesn't Dr. the ball, I look at the balls before I throw them in.  Also each team uses the balls provided so it's not like it's advantageous for them to throw in Dr'd balls. 

 

With the little ones, I'm more concerned with making sure the balls those fools are trying to give me are actually leather and not that faux leather that magically turns into plastic after 3 pitches they all try to use.  

 

 

Lecture? "Have someone rub those down for me, coach" is a lecture now? Man my college profs where way off.

It's usually the first thing that happens in a plate meeting - they hand you balls and line ups. He throws em to a freshman or pitcher who doesn't see the field and they rub them down like they're going into game 7 and they're done before the meetings over.

Keep in mind most HS coaches are smart enough to give you rubbed up balls to start with. Most.

 

Sounds like a lecture to me.  That's how I looked at it when my Mom spoke to me in that way.  If I used the wrong word and offended you I am sorry, but that is not a nit I am going to pick at the plate meeting.

[Thunderheads]

Lecture? "Have someone rub those down for me, coach" is a lecture now? Man my college profs where way off.

It's usually the first thing that happens in a plate meeting - they hand you balls and line ups. He throws em to a freshman or pitcher who doesn't see the field and they rub them down like they're going into game 7 and they're done before the meetings over.

Keep in mind most HS coaches are smart enough to give you rubbed up balls to start with. Most.

Why bother rubbing them down? Because in HS if you throw a pearl in F1 is going to rub it down on mound and they usually use dirt to do so. Then you have the opposite coach chirping about Dr-ing the balls if he's a butthole or if they're losing. Why deal with that If it's a simple fix?

WHAT ?!?!?!?!?!?

[Rook23]

I've never ruffled any feathers with this approach in the past so I don't see the issue. Again this doesn't happen every game. Most coaches know better. The most common reaction I get is the coaches realize the error and I get a "oh, my bad."

Perhaps something is lost in translation on here. I have a pretty laid back demeanor in general so it's not at all harsh. Let's say it's more of a request with a sideways frown and not a ruler to the knuckles approach. Then we move on with the meeting. Also it's amazing when I do this some how the rest of the game balls are rubbed down when they bring me refills.

[Rook23]

Lecture? "Have someone rub those down for me, coach" is a lecture now? Man my college profs where way off.

It's usually the first thing that happens in a plate meeting - they hand you balls and line ups. He throws em to a freshman or pitcher who doesn't see the field and they rub them down like they're going into game 7 and they're done before the meetings over.Keep in mind most HS coaches are smart enough to give you rubbed up balls to start with. Most.

Why bother rubbing them down? Because in HS if you throw a pearl in F1 is going to rub it down on mound and they usually use dirt to do so. Then you have the opposite coach chirping about Dr-ing the balls if he's a butthole or if they're losing. Why deal with that If it's a simple fix?

WHAT ?!?!?!?!?!?

Hhaha Should I make the qualifier VARSITY coaches? JV is a totally diff beast.

[JaxRolo]

F1 is going to use dirt?

What is the coach going to use?

[Mike Prince]

Well, to put a wrapper on this one, glad the OP got his issue with Lena Blackburne worked out...

[T-Rav]

In HS ball here, our assigner wants us to check in about 30 minutes prior to the game with the home teams HC and let them know were here, to find out any special things prior to the game, let them know that we will be back at 10 till game time, and if they want to "take care of the baseballs or want us to". 

 

I very rarely have coaches who want us to do it and I carry a little canister of the blackborne rubbing mud in my motherlode. I don't mind if they want us to rub them up before the game but after I walk back on the field and they give me a pearl, I will not be rubbing it, it will go straight into my ball bag and I'll do my best to get all the baseballs used in the first inning while the pitchers are warming up if they gave me pearls.

[Rook23]

The bench is going to use dirt and probably spit 9 times out of 10 like everyone else does across the world (gasp). However they're not going to do it on the mound with all eyes in the park on them and then throw with it before an umpire touches it. I have a hunch you already knew that, though.

I have a hard time believing nobody has heard someone make a stink about F1 using dirt to rub the ball down on the mound. My goal is to simply prevent that crap from happening in the first place. Again, once coaches learn to have balls rubbed before they're turned in this all takes care of itself.

[LMSANS]

Around here (most of the time), home team gives me 2 baseballs in plastic, gives 1 to his F1 and 1 to the other F1.  There are 2 balls I don't need to rub.  I use dirt to rub off the sheen of the 2 I was given, sometimes I give one to my partner or he gives it to me.  I don't have a problem with it.  If a new one comes in during the game, I don't do anything special with it.

[BigUmpire]

Well, to put a wrapper on this one, glad the OP got his issue with Lena Blackburne worked out...

I still think it's a little muddy.