When a sportcaster in baseball call that the pitcher painted it black.What are they talking about?

Question

When a sportcaster in baseball call that the pitcher painted it black.What are they talking about?

Answer 1

they pitch the ball right on the corner. then they have everyone where they want them and they can expand the strike zone a little. batter nd ump both in the palm of their hands

Answer 2

Home plate has a black edge. When a pitch crosses the very edge or corner of home plate announcers will say it painted the black, or caught the black paint or some variation.

Rolling Stones: Paint It Black

Baseball Announcer: Painted the black

Answer 3

he should actually say the pitcher painted the black.

it means they hit the corner of the plate. (the edges are painted black)

Answer 4

they mean that the pitcher hit the outside part of the plate, which is outlined with black.  they say it meaning they put the black stripe on the corner of the plate.  Its just a figure of speech

Answer 5

Many people think home plate is one color: white

Actually, it is black and white.

When you insert a home plate properly, the outer black part should be sticking out 1/4".  This is crucial because the strike zone is defined with the ball crossing the plate ... which includes the black.

You will always see the good umpires wipe the plate by brushing off the white part and then doing a swipe on the sides to make sure the black part is exposed.

Now, when they/announcers say the pitcher is painting it black they can mean one of two things:

1) The pitcher has good control and is able to pinpoint the pitch right on the outside of the plate (making it harder for the hitters).  This is the more common usage.

2) They are complaining the umpire is making the strike zone too big as in complaining the pitches are outside (or inside) and the hitters should not swing ... but the hitters should swing of the umpire says it is a strike.  This is the less common usage.