Black part of the Plate

Question
QUESTION: I am in my third year of umpiring in PA Co-ed ASA and i was trying to explain to my fellow colleagues about the black part of the plate.  That is, the black part of the plate is "not" part of the plate-technically.  Therefore, a pitch that hits the black part could be called a strike.  One of my colleagues said he would not call it a strike.  My thought is if the ball arives at the knee and before his back shoulder, it is a strike.  What is the rule and then what is your opinion on this.

ANSWER: Hi John,

Congrats on making your 3rd year, most umpires don't.  It's not downhill from here but you're on your way.

ASA considers the beveled black edge, part of the plate.  So the old saying the plate is the plate is the plate applies.  

You can also get into discussions that you can't hit the black w/out touching some of the white, etc. etc. but the plate is the plate works best.

Since it is the plate, it is a ball. This also applies to a runner touching that area, they are considered to have legally touched the base.

mark

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Mark I have a composite question.  What happens when a team is on defense and one of their players that is not in the game touches the ball in fair or foul territory?  Would this be interference and the base runner awarded a base if there was a runner on base?   2.  If there is a runner on base and the batter hits a fly ball that is caught in fair territory, however, the momentum of the player takes him into what was deemed out of play territory, is the runner awarded a base?   I know on a home run if the outfielder catches it and there are less than two outs and he falls over the outfield fence though catching the ball, the runners advance a base.

3.  Lastly, if a B1 gets on base. but b10 was supposed to bat and the appeal is made before pitching to b2, is b1 & b10 out?  Thanks in advance Mark

Answer
Hi John,

#1 this would be a blocked ball and the overthrow rule would apply.

#2 yes but caught in fair or foul territory doesn't matter if the player unintentionally steps out of play.

#3 B10 who should have batted is out, B1 is removed from the base (not out) and any advance of runners is nullified.  had B1 made an out that out would stand for 2 outs on the appeal.

Mark