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I believe that all of the necessary updates and trouble shooting have been completed. I have re-enabled almost all of the disabled features.   Thanks for your patience.

Found this on the Ump-Attire website. First you laugh THEN you say "I do that!" and your wife says “Yes you do" with an unpleasant look on her face. Mark D'Angelo - You have a clothes rod in your car Randy Huffman - You watch the Umpires more then the actual game you're watching on TV Philip Cavendish - Your wife considers tiling the floors of the house with home plates so that you sweep the floors at home Raquel DeBeltz Bushman - When one of the criteria for buying a new vehicle is that you have to be able to fit all your equipment and uniforms in it comfortably Derek Quigley - When you call strike while watching a game CJ Webb - When you are watching a game in the stands and track an overthrown ball to the fence and don't flinch, while everyone around you ducks Bill Knowles - You keep bottles of Febreeze in your car Russell Richardson - You turn your head whenever someone says "blue" John C. Leonard - The back seat of your vehicle looks like your closet and people ask if you are living out of your car Michael Harman - When you can publicly make a cup adjustment and not be considered a pervert Andy Herrington - You know Scrubbing Bubbles are made for shoes Neal Phadnis - You wish you could eject a manage at your day job Dave Bruhn - If your gear takes up more space in your closet than the rest of your clothing Erik Womach - If you start every argument with "In my judgement..." Paul Kent - You get boo'd in the grocery store Alex Pufhal - Directions are given based on where a field is located Mathew Mark Brundage - If you make a sale at your sales job and do your "strike three" mechanic Michael Royal - You work on your mechanics while looking in the mirror Corey Lee - If you own more than one pair of tights and/or extra long socks Harold Head - You have more umpire clothes than you do regular clothes Chris Linhart - You have bruises on your forearms and thighs at the same time and are not a UFC Fighter Mike Huff - You have 14 pairs of all black shoes all for different surfaces Mike Todd - Someone cuts you off in traffic and you refer to it as an "obstruction" Ron Metcalfe - You're obsessed with matching t-shirt, jersey and hat (like a woman!) Amber Danielle Searcy DeWald - You drive all night just to get to a game Chuck Knowles - You try to get the umpires autographs after a minor league game

R2 made the 3rd out. An advantageous 4th out must be an appeal play. Appeals are retouch or missed base appeals. The BR not reaching 1B is neither a retouch nor a missed base, and thus the play at 1B is not an appeal. The defense is therefore not entitled to an advantageous 4th out. Score R3's run. I agree with UmpTTS43.

I'm just glad that UmpTTS43 is back posting again!

When writing an ejection report you need to be concise but complete. :Do not write a novel :Do not interject opinion :Add any and all salient points :If language is involved, include it I always follow the same format but it is a little formal for youth ball. Date: Field Location: Home Team: Visiting Team: Reason for ejection:

It doesn't…If it says "Honig's" then it is way better. Quality Control is much better at Honig's, hence the prices at Smitty. Before everyone piles on, let me disclose the fact that I own many Smitty products. However, they are no martyr! They can sell at a more affordable price because they make it more affordably-by skimping in areas that affect quality. It is just business. I'll disagree with Smitty's quality vs. Honig's quality. I buy both and like both. It seems like every year Honig's jerseys change in quality...some years they run big, some years they run small. Smitty's seems to always remain the same. Again, I buy both and will continue to do so, but quality control isn't that much better at Honig's than with Smitty's. Sometimes you're just buying the name.

"It's where it crosses the plate, Blue."

I just want to hear these pro-machine guys the first time the machine calls a breaking pitch a strike that hits the hollow of the front knee on the outside corner and breaks into the dirt 5" off the plate in the dirt in front of F2.

If that tourney in Vegas includes a room at the Venetian, then count me in!

Well, John, when you get them back, we'd like to see some pictures! (I couldn't stop laughing the whole time I typed this.)

When the obstruction occurs you judge how many steps were lost due to the obstruction (not necessarily where you think he'd have ended up). So in your play, let's say the runner lost 4 steps. If he's thrown out on a close play, obviously the act of obstruction impacted the result of the play and you would call the runner safe. If the runner was out on a not-so-close play, then the act of obstruction didn't impact the result of the play and the runner would be out. Now, most umpires are taught to "protect the runner" to a certain base. There's nothing really wrong with that philosophy either, except that you now have to adjust your initial protection based on events that might occur after the act of obstruction (a throwing error, etc.). So when you see the obstruction you say: that runner would have made it to 3rd. Now the ball is thrown away, you readjust your protection and could then protect the runner to home. It comes down to do you protect a runner to a certain base, which he might not get to anyway? OR Simply saying he lost X number of steps, let it play out and see how close the play ends up being regardless of what base the obstructed runner reaches. Not much difference really...to-may-to / to-mah-to.

I've owned my CP since 2010 and it's probably seen 300+ plate games, so I am sending it into Douglas for a refurb as well as a retrofit of their new "low profile" gap protection (currently I have the gap). No real problems with the CP, but since I'm getting the retrofit, I figure it makes sense to refurb it while it's there to freshen up the padding and replace the buckles, etc.. I also have shins (20"!) that I bought just last year that have rusty D-rings and some pretty significant pad abrasion at the bottom front where the plastic shin plate has rubbed against the padding. Douglas has offered to replace the rusted rings/buckles with plastic (like on the DIamond Lightweights I used to have) or the original metal style, my choice. I am good about taking care of my gear and am a bit surprised with the rusting after only about 50 plate games, but not sure I want to put plastic buckles on there. In any case, the shins are going in to get the pad replaced and I am going to ask them to grind back about 1/4" from the lower shin plate at their discretion if they think it will keep it from happening again. Cost for the refurbs is $50 each for the CP and shins (I think it was $40 back when I bought the CP) and the extra gap protection is $30. Best part is that they can get this turned around in time for my season start in early March (but it is tight)

Joseph Lopez - You get dressed for the plate when a new shirt/pants arrive in the mail to see how it looks.

I will add one: " You spend more time on this website than any other"

You are the governing body's eyes and ears. If they say it, it needs to be in the report. Unsportsmanlike Conduct is a pretty broad brush. You need to be specific on what they did. Their administration needs to know the exact details of what they said and did. They cuss, you put it in the report. They scream, you use exclamation points. Write the entire conversation. Don't leave out any details. The more they know, the more likely something will be done. Simply saying "I ejected him for unsportsmanlike conduct" is going to get a "Well, don't do it again." Saying, "He screamed at me, 'You chickens--t motherf---er!" (<---true story!) is going to catch the eye of the administration and governing body. Something is going to be done about it. Obviously no opinions, but don't leave out any pertinent details. Tell the truth, if you cussed, you'd better include it, too. We're having to submit our reports to our supervisors for review before sending them on to the NCAA.

I will add that this refurb program is one reason why I bought Douglas gear in the first place. I had a bit of heartburn when I paid over $200 for the shins (includes shipping and tax), but they were the only people I could find (with a reminder from Jeff M./Thunderheads) that could provide a 20" shinguard and I could work with them in the future to refresh the shins and make small changes to get them "just right". Also, their service is fantastic; I emailed Jeff Cook this morning and had a reply within 20 minutes. Had planned on shipping these today, but it is now snowing in NC which is a humorous event for someone like me who grew up in New England - a forecast of 1"-3" here is cause for major commotion (my kids were dismissed early from school before the first flake even fell), so I guess it's off to the UPS store tomorrow...

I will also add that when an ejection occurs, take a moment after the situation is under control to take a few one or two word notes on the back of your lineup card. Specifically the inning, outs and situation/what was said, etc.. Use this later when you fill out your EJ report. Often it is easy to get caught up in the moment or be in a rush to get the game restarted and you find yourself in front of a computer screen later struggling for key details. Take 30-45 seconds on the field where you can get your own space and jot down a few notes with keywords to help you remember later on what happened.

I don't entirely agree that this age group shouldn't have umpires. My nephew played in that age group and that level have as many idiot parents and coaches as any other level, somebody has to control them. Now, the leash short be very,very short at this level. I do agree that it is instructional so they need to learn how to make outs as well as how to hit. Any arguing over safes and outs, very short conversation, followed by them going either to the dugout or parking lot, their choice. Many of the coaches at this level are in as much need of training as the kids. The kids need to learn how to hit the ball,catch the ball and throw the ball. The coaches need to learn what is acceptable and what is not.Now, you can accomplish this two ways, have adult umpires or have teenagers with an adult present to back them up.

I understand the thought that you may only get one shot to present your case, but that's really not true. If your assignor/board needs more info, they will ask for it. But they also don't want to have to read a book which may confuse them and to @BigUmpire's point, you may talk yourself into a situation. Go in with the attitude that people have your back, not the other way around. One of the best pieces of advice I ever got from an umpire was - "The less you say is the less you say"

  Well ........... in 2012 Smitty changed all of their sizing ..............  Smitty, like all others is sized for the plate.  There XL currently, is sized like their 2xl was pre-2012.  That said, they are generously sized for the plate.  Currently an XL Smitty's works nice and comfy for the plate, but it's only a tad large for the bases, so it works for me.   However ... I could also get a large for bases and XL for plate w/ the Smitty's.   This goes for their regular shirts, and MLB knock offs (IMHO)

Best umpire site on the web!

Good question. Common sense and fair play tells me that if the OBS happened when R2 was on or beyond 3B, then score him (1 base award in Fed) and put BR back to first. Both teams penalized for their stupidity. In OBR, R2 is out for interference and BR back to first.

The methodology of this study is flawed, failing amongst other things to take into account: Pitch f/x margin of error (no less than 1/2") Baseball radius considerations (e.g., a ball whose center is located one iota of an inch off the plate will be judged a ball by pitch f/x, even though the physical existence of the ball's radius means the ball in some fraction actually passed over the plate, making it a technical strike) Three-Dimensional strike zone (Pitch f/x plots output a 2D zone, captured as the ball crosses the plane located at the front edge of home plate) Batter height variability (Pitch f/x often fails to account for height variability mid-AB and is dependent on a third party human operator's calibration) But detecting these errors would require a grasp of not just the PFX technology, but the rule book as well, specifically 2.00 (Strike) and 2.00 (Strike Zone). We've already seen Pitch f/x ball a pitch thrown right down broadway and strike a pitch that bounced in front of home plate. Also, this (and YES, this and similar errors are PART OF THE DATA that the linked article is using for its "analysis"):

This weekend I started getting the eagerly awaited emails from Arbiter letting me know I had new game assignments. Can't wait for the season to get started. Scrimmages are allowed beginning February 22 and official opening day is March 3 here in Mississippi.

That's beautiful, Alex. Way to be. I will get to this soon, and I'll pass on the findings. And I hope you enjoy your foray into ultra-light, low-profile shin guard use. There will be times you will forget you're wearing shin guards. (Arik and I go back a ways without our knowing it at the time. Before he moved up north, he umpired some games that my son played in. So I was there saying stuff like "Good call, Blue' and "Good hustle, Blue.")

R2 is not awarded home, as has been stated above, due to the OBS by F5. It depends if it happens before or after the bag. Most of the time with OBS by an F5, it'll happen a few steps before the runner has acquired 3rd base, so he's only protected for SURE to 3B (1 base minimum). Be careful not to assume he is granted home by penalty if the OBS happens before the runner touches 3rd.

p.s. the guy with the Champion chest protectors has always taken $5 off the "buy it now" price, for a Best Offer. And that's the best deal on gear you'll ever find.

Doesn't even deserve the B... :wave:

$170 for shin guards is absurd!

I don't know who told you this but that isn't true. You can itemize and deduct anything over 600 bucks. If you are issued a 1099 (usually a 1099-MISC), you can deduct your expenses. Tracking mileage is a great deduction. For 2013, you get 56.5 cents per mile as a deduction. Deducting expenses has nothing to do with being issued a 1099. You are supposed to claim all income earned, not just that which is reported to the IRS. An entity is required to report your income via a 1099 if they pay you $600 or more in a year. Income and Expenses are claimed on a Schedule C which is used to report profit and loss for a sole proprietorship. Here's a good overview of the schedule c https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/tax-tips/Self-Employment-Taxes/-What-is-a-Schedule-C-IRS-form-/INF14443.html I have a sheet I've made up I use to track games, income and expenses. I'll clean it up and send it. I wish I were more diligent at keeping it up to date.

Gives you that kid feeling all over again - excitement, anticipation, refreshing arbiter or your email every couple of minutes. Good times ahead.

Dont we all do this?

With few exceptions umpires (sports officials) are a child’s first exposure to a uniformed authority figure. If an example is set by an adult of disrespect for this person the child will remember this when they deal with a teacher, policeman etc.

I assembled a crew for a high-level tournament without seeing the funds in the RefPay account until three days in advance of the tournament. I didn't sleep until I saw the funds. I'm doing so again right now for a tournament in Las Vegas at the end of next month for the same company. I am hoping that it's funded sooner than the last one. They're doing the best they can, but so am I. I was asked to assign a tournament last weekend for some folks who wanted to pay the umpires a week or two after the fact, and after all the checks clear that they received for the tournament fees. I couldn't do it. I worked the tournament under those conditions, but I wouldn't assign it. It is very, very difficult for an assignor to get any league or tournament group to treat umpires as anything more than an afterthought. Not only are the fees too low to begin with, their reluctance or refusal to cough them up is dumbfounding. We control the quality of the action! And we are literally exploited and abused before the action even starts! I'm doing my best to heighten their awareness, but it is an extreme problem. So it may not be the assignor; it may be the irresponsible slugs he works for.

Just to throw this out there, the "06" at the end means they were made in 2006. I don't know if you bought these from Honigs recently or what. I have bought a set (plate/base) of PWs every other year for the last six years and they all have the last two digits of the year on the tag after the model number.

I always get avocados!! Only because you're a rebel. my wife always gets avocado on her Pita Pit. I dont cause I'm cheap. so thats why there are so many erros in your games! Just as many as in your typing !!!

From the title I thought it was about the coaches!

Rather than dye what's left of my hair, I'd rather wear shoes that make me appear faster, therefore, younger.

To hell with the umpire gear, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!

PM me and I'll send you mine.

KFinn thinks he runs faster in the black and white ones. You're an absolute blur with them on, my friend.

If you take care of the Whites and clean after every game...I like to use scrubbing bubbles, they will be great! I have a pretty decent rotation of base shoes(5-6) and I have had coaches say to me "Hey new shoes huh?...." and the shoes are a year or 2 old. If you take care of them right and get a nice brush and keep some scrubbing bubbles and water handy then you will be great! My advice would be that if you don't plan on keeping the white looking nice, then go with the all black! I love and frankly must have some white on my shoes(to each their own!) but to me nothing says LAZY more then when I see a fellow umpire with white on the shoe that he doesn't bother to keep clean! I've got some other pretty solid cleaning methods too... if you want them just ask! But I figure for someone just dipping the toe into the white on the shoe that's a good place to start.

Thunderheads is going to get you.

This is America, so a good price would be significantly more than it's really worth: $130-$150.

at least the contagion has been limited to the Greater St. Louis area

Then, of course, there is the 3/4-zip, made to be worn specifically for games where the temperature is in the mid-fifties. So the rule of thumb is... Then length of zip is inversely proportional to the temperature. Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

I heard somewhere once that baseball is a game for kids, ruined by adults