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We have a job to do. We should ignore obnoxious fans until we can't: when they start to become a distraction and to impair the performance of our duties, then they lose the privilege of shouting their mind. Ask game administration to warn, then eject. One of the reasons I stopped working youth baseball was my diminishing tolerance for asshattery from the stands.

I'm going to go out on a limb here................and say.............the pads are definitely Nike.

If it's bothering you, you can bet it was bothering others. People like this ruin other fans' enjoyment of the game and distract players. In an instance where someone is over the top, there's no shame in asking the game admin. or the head coach of the home team to address the fan directly. And if he keeps up, ask them to remove him from the facility.

should have brought out the balloon edit: My only experience with a 'throwback' uniform was when I was playing in an American Legion game and the umpires came out wearing these bad boys. They said "we're going old school today"

It's a Nike Titanium, one of the earlier "pure" ones. How can you (well, I, in this case) tell? It is the iconic planform. Arrowhead < > earguards. Curved chin guard with next-to-nothing forward rake on it; it is nearly straight down. Blunt-cut, solid-wire construction (in this case, titanium). Hollow steel has to be plugged and/or crimped. Uniform wire gauge used throughout (less earguard struts). The latest renditions on the planform have varying gauges. Gentle curve on the 90° bend at the upper corner of the earguard. Hollow steel will have a crimp. Lesser-quality shops will aggressively wrench that corner hard. The welds are so gorgeous, they're practically invisible. Latest renditions have sloppier welds as the shop is trying to meet quantity requests by a deadline (that's my professional guess). That you bought it in what amounts to be a glorified sports equipment pawn shop shouldn't besmirch what this mask is. Buying it in Oregon is akin to buying a box of cigars in Miami and questioning whether they are Cubans or not. If the wrapper on the cigar says "Made in Havana", it probably was. Now, I understand the skepticism. It seems that over the past 2-3 years, with UnderArmour ramping up its involvement in baseball, the other Big Brands are starting to get nervous. There has been such a mudslinging campaign against titanium, undeservedly, that Nike has likely scaled back its requests to the Asian (it may be China, it may be Taiwan, it may be Japan... don't exactly know) fabricator who holds that planform. With reduced work orders, that fabricator has likely entertained work orders from Adidas, Reebok and Mizuno, anyone with deep enough pockets and a fairly secure legal department (for contracts). Do notice, that we haven't seen this mask sold on the retail market. We see it supplied to various athletes or institutions so as to showcase the brand, and then from there, it hits the open market. The one you bought, @BT_Blue, was either hot or one some College catcher or team equipment manager had "lying around" and wanted the extra cash, selling it to Play-It-Again. How fortuitous for you. Now, why you didn't ask your good buddy Mad Max first, I'm surprised, but not hurt; why you didn't buy two of them and ship one to Mad Max... I'm gobsmacked.

While I don't personally agree with a few points in VolUmp's post in this thread...I can chop up most of my disagreements to "different strokes for different folks"...and respect that he got out of his situation unscathed. What I have quoted above, however, is what I can't look away from. Maybe VolUmp got away with granting a "free visit" in a MS game, but if you give "free" trips in a higher level game you are going to open up a can of worms and/or a world of hurt (i.e. a lost protest) for yourself. Depending on the rule set, if you allow a coach to make a second trip to the mound in an inning, or make the fourth defensive conference in a game (FED), and you allow the pitcher to remain in the game (assuming no prior visit(s) was due to an INJURY), then you are going to have an apesh!t opposing coach on your hand. You have no support in the rules to allow a "free visit". If that pitcher remains in the game after he was required to be removed (solely due to the fact that you gave a "free visit") you are almost guaranteed to lose a protest should the opposing team lose. [Maybe things are more "relaxed" in VolUmp's middle school league, but this technique can get you into big trouble.] If it gets to the point where you have to call a coach over during that team's defensive inning, you need to tell him to take care of his pitcher or you will...but that if he goes out to the mound to "take care of his pitcher" it will count as a visit/conference. Personally, if it arises to the level that I feel I need to talk to a coach during the team's defensive half inning...I'm not talking to the coach. If it has gotten to that point, it means that F1 has continued to behave that way after either (a) I warned him, (b) F2 warned him (after being instructed by me to go and warn F1), or (c) both. At that point, you can forget me calling the coach over...I'm tossing F1. If the head coach argues the ejection, I'll tell the head coach that F1 was ejected "for arguing balls and strikes despite having been warned (insert number of warnings) times." If the coach says, "you should have let me handled it." I will respond with, "coach, (# of warnings) warnings from me should have handled it; especially when he's not even entitled to any warnings for arguing balls and strikes."

Consider making this in your zone. It's difficult enough to see the outside strike, and if you're able to determine it was only an inch off the plate, you're better than most, so use this to everyone's advantage because nobody else will have an opinion on it being outside.

Timing, timing, timing and more timing. PU was entirely too quick. It's the same principle at work when we go to call a strike too quickly, then pretend to scratch our chest instead. Slooooow down. Someone here said that the faster the action, the slower our timing should be. Also, we are all professionals on the field. Whether we are paid or volunteer, professionalism should be top of mind when we're out there.

Might I add number 5 5) never felt showed up by a middle schooler. Also, I love number 2

1 Because I don't agree that 8 times is too many. 2 Because I rather enjoyed letting a cocky kid make as a$$ of himself. 3 Because I was giving the catcher and the coach first opps to fix it. 4 Because it doesn't intimidate me or make me alter the strike zone to punish him.

When I find these tricky kind of situations, I often find it helpful to go back to 'first principles', the definitions. From 2.21, ART. 5 . . . Backswing interference is when a batter contacts the catcher or his equipment prior to the time of the pitch. So we have a clear time element involved, prior to TOP. That isn't the situation we're dealing with here. Now, granted the definition of follow-through interference does say after a "swing", which we don't have here, but it's within the spirit of that and certainly within both the spirit and clear text of 7.3.5, IF we have a play: ART. 5 . . . Interfere with the catcher's fielding or throwing by: c. making any other movement, including follow-through interference, which hinders actions at home plate or the catcher's attempt to play on a runner, If the ball is in the catcher's control in his mitt, the pitch is over. The batter must control his bat, but he didn't. If the runner was *already* stealing and this hindered a potential play, then it's a clear case of BI, but the OP doesn't really describe that. So killing it and halting further action seems appropriate, but not based on backswing interference but rather a general "hold on guys, something unusual happened". If the OC doesn't like that, the other option is calling the batter out for BI. I suspect he'll take the stoppage. This is a long-winded and pedantic way of saying I pretty much agree with where you ended up.

These guys are weak-sauce. Oh sure, they had the best of intentions in the spirit of a throwback game... ... but it's being played on turf. Sacrilege! That suit ain't tailored, and he's wearing Nike Air Somethings. Come back when you go all-in.

You betcha. This is a case of the team being smarter than the umpire and having a firmer grasp on the rules. We never want to be in this position because if you "reset" this play, you're wrong. The coach is going to argue, and I'd even imagine an EJ isn't far behind because once he realizes the umpire has no idea what he's seeing, he'll be incensed and hit the roof. Now what do we have? Trouble on top of trouble and the association has a lot of egg on its face. I'm on my association's Board and have seen the fallout from an umpire mis-applying or mis-interpreting rules, then ejecting a coach for arguing about it. It never goes well. I'm very glad for the sake of the guys who didn't know about this play until now that they've had the benefit of this thread. Take this information back to your association. Share it with your partners when you pre-game. Doing so may very well be the best preventive umpiring you can employ.

@conbo61 @BrianC14 Hi Guys, im doing well. Not umpiring much right now. In Southern AZ teaching leadership skills, tools and techniques to Army Civilians. Caught a couple of AZ Wildcats baseball games in Tucson last week and a D-Backs game in PHX this past Saturday. Also met up with @MadMax and watched him work a couple of field innings and a couple of plate innings during a 14's tourney at Papago Park in PHX then had a beer or two with him and @KenBAZ at a sports bar in downtime PHX after the D-Backs game. Love meeting other members and sharing stories. Thanks for asking. @BrianC14 I may be in either Denver or CO Springs area for a short bit this Friday or Sunday if you're gonna be around. Not sure if plans yet. See below. @kylejt I am considering coming to SanDiego this Friday and catching a Padres game spending the night and then hanging around a few hours on Saturday before heading north to LA to catch a Dodgers game on Saturday night. If you're gonna be around let me know. @grayhawk @Kevin Finnerty Will either of you be around and want to catch a Dodgers game Saturday? Nothing final yet but fleshing out my week depending on several factors. edit: any other San Diego or LA area members who are available to meet up on Friday or Saturday let me know.

He has to return to the same spot in the batting order, what position he plays is of no concern, provided he meets the requirements of 3-1-2 as you noted. The coach was wrong. Shocking, I know.

Certainly no later than when he left the mound to argue. And that coach that came charging in could hold hands with him on the way out, too.

The real mystery is how this guy was assigned a playoff game.

I'm a Designer by trade & training. Whether that be graphic, spatial, environmental, lighting, sound, product, packaging... heck, even landscape... you go through the entire process when investigating an item or solution. You know that phrase, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery?" Not so in the product design and manufacturing industry. Here it is, "Replication is the quickest and easiest way to increased profit margins. Push it until a patent stops you." If that mask planform that Nike uses fetches such a premium price tag, why would the other Big Brands do anything beyond walking in to the fabricator, waving a wad of cash, and requesting that same mask planform? Why go through all the trouble and rigamarole (and cost) of designing and developing your own unique design? Ah, that would mean you're All-Star.

I'll reply to the rest when I get a chance. But @MadMax, if there was more than one, you don't think I would have snatched them up if they were available? Especially at the price I paid! The downside of finding this? I'm going to be going into these placesplaced all the time now hoping to find something like this!

I had this this year in a HS varsity game. I threw my hands up as soon as it happen, processed it(which too a few seconds bc this isn't something you see everyday), pointed to my partner and ask if he step off, then made the call. No argument from anyone, but I did almost call batter out instead of runner.

Everything about it looks right except for the color, but maybe that's just the lighting or something? That's a great find if it turns out to be genuine.

Larry, search for "Jean Segura steals 1B"... put "Ryan Braun" in there too. Perhaps "crazy" as well.

if he's communicating by electronic means he's "taking part in that game" and should be subject to further consequences. Furthermore it's obviously within the spirit of the rule that if under suspension, that the rule should still apply.

It becomes a real problem if it's your wife.

LMAO!! I'm glad you took that the way it was intended ...it was indeed in jest! I scored it first,...w/ a carpet knife carefully, ...it took a long time, then you could actually use snippers to finish it ...then sand it. PM if you want to discuss.....as you said, don't want to hijack this. Sorry @BT_Blue

YES! Outstanding use of a most appropriate term! Well played, sir!

foul ball as long as bats still in hand and batter is still in box, basically the same as it hitting his foot while he is still in box.

you've been at this avocation long enough, so I wont bore you with how to deal with "idiot" fans.........If the guy was riding you for 7 innings, he was for sure trying to get in your head and rattle you. Addressing him would have been exactly what he came to the park for. Ill never understand that kind of guy.

This!

middle school is 12-14 y/o, not always the best at controlling themselves, Volump showed a lot of parental style patience, too much???, that IDK, as a Coach I would have addressed it after I saw it a second time.

Hey guys, there are a lot of members here who are mask addicted so I just thought I'd post some weights of some of the popular mask frames and accessories that I have, have had or tried. It might help you choose a back-up or lighten up your current rig a little. Every little bit helps. Though I can't attest to perfect calibration on my scale, I am using the same scale for each item so the differences in weight by comparison should be very accurate. Everything here is listed down from lighter to heaviest. Also, if you guys want to 'weigh in' your own items that aren't listed here, feel free. Frames Nike Titanium - 11.1 oz Rawlings Titanium - 11.5 oz +POS ZeroG - 12.5 oz All-Star FM25 Hollow Steel (with vinyl coating) - 14.6 oz Wilson Chrome Moliben (without vinyl coating) - 15.2 oz Wilson Dynalite Catcher/Umpire (with vinyl coating) - 18.7 oz Pads Diamond Quik-Dry Vinyl (Not 50/50 pads) (upper) - 0.9, (lower) - 1.3 oz +POS black mesh (upper) - 1.0 oz, (lower) - 1.4 oz +POS smooth tan leather (upper) - 1.0oz, (lower) - 1.4oz Nike (upper) - 1.1 oz, (lower) - 1.8oz All-Star Mesh (upper) - 1.6 oz, (lower) - 1.4 oz (Yep, I checked it twice, the upper is heavier than the lower pad) +POS new Classic Brown Leather (upper) - 1.4 oz, (lower) - 2.0 oz Rawlings LWMXTI (upper) - 1.8 oz, (Lower) - 2.1 oz Wilson Amara Suede (upper) - 1.9, (lower) - 2.6 oz Wilson Black Leather Wrap-around (upper) - 2.6 oz, (lower) - 3.9 oz Harness (es) (Harnessi?!) Rawlings Ti - 1.2 oz All-Star Delta - 1.3 oz +POS lite - 1.3 oz Nike - 1.5 oz Wilson - 1.6oz

Professionals aren't perfect. They're just much, much better than us. Two mechanics points jump out to me. First, timing. PU had it in mind that the ball was going to beat the runner (which it might have done), and was anticipating the out. We (at every level) want to anticipate the play — which puts us in the right place looking at the right thing — but not anticipate the call. Second, I don't like taking this play on a knee. Pros can make better calls than I standing on their heads; I want to be on my feet and prepared to work the wedge as this play develops. I can see someone pinning himself to the ground if he has an issue with happy feet, but in general I don't teach this mechanic.

The officiating crew got into the throwback spirit in the Indiana vs. Louisville game today. Have you ever donned a retro uniform before? If so, share your pictures! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wore them for the first time tonight. Brothers, let me tell you. .. I was walking on sunshine! ZERO complaints. It was like wearing full support slippers. WOO HOOOOOO.

Every girl's crazy 'bout a sharp-dressed man. Ladies, please control yourselves.

... Or if he's removed after three (charged) visits. But, in the OP, the issue was the player returning to become F4, and that's allowed no matter how / why the pitcher was removed (as long as the pitcher has re-entry rights).

My thoughts (without having actually seen the brawl) (1) In my state (SC), if there was a true "bench clearing brawl" (where all the players run to the fight from either the dugout or their position on the field)...the game is over. Everyone (except peace making coaches) are ejected. If you (the umpire) did not so eject and then terminate such a game, you will not be umpiring another high school game anytime soon. (2) Both teams would be banned from the post-season. (SC consistently does this every single time a brawl breaks out...no matter the sport. This has happened in football several times over the last 20 years...including 3-4 years ago when arguably the best team in the state (they were nationally ranked in USA Today) was banned from the post-season for having a post-game brawl.)

I have only vocalized the end of a game once; and I did not say "ballgame" or make an "X". I had a college coach pull a team off the field. I warned him once that if he didn't put his team back on the field I was going to declare a forfeit. He said, "go ahead," and refused to put his team back on the field. I banged the game (I believe my exact words were, "fine, I get paid a full game fee either way! We're done!" (I couldn't help being sarcastic.) I then turned to the press box and made the no run signal and walked off the field.) All of this was over a check swing "ball" call (he believed the batter swung) on a 1-1 pitch to the lead-off batter in the sixth inning. (I was the plate umpire. F1 threw a fastball that F2 never got a glove on (he called for a curveball) and hit me flush in the mask. Of course, being the upstanding group of people that this team was...they started yelling "check, check, check" and could give two f*cks that I had just taken a pitch flush to the mask. Anyways, my partner (a former AAA umpire) ruled that he did not swing.) Up to that point, the game had been like being in church...not a peep from anyone about anything. This team was winning by several runs, too. Anyways, he had a long suspension as a result of his actions. Only forfeit I have ever had at any level. (P.S. I had absolutely no negative consequences to my career as a result of declaring a forfeit.)

At every level I officiate we are told to do that, College to rec ball. This year in college with the new balk rule we are suppose to warn the pitcher during his warm ups if he isn't falling the new rule, and that is from the NCAA, Its actually covered in one of the Videos on the Hub if you have access to it. Most coaches I've every work with appreciate this as long as you do it on both sides.

We're gonna trend this.

#gotmavened

Every time I wear these pants, especially in the heat, I wonder why we didn't complain about wearing wool a long time ago. My polywools have stayed in my closet all year, except for one game. The one thing about the Honig's/Hardwicks pants is their durability. The damn things are bullet proof, and I've got several pair that are a dozen years old. We just don't know how long these new drawers will last over the years. But I'm now of the thinking that I don't really care. They're that superior on the field. The next piece of gear we need to work on is the hat. No need for a wool lid any more, folks. I did 5 hours of traffic control in the direct sun in a modern ball cap, and two hours in a wool hat behind the plate, yesterday. Big difference. My plate hat, and my head, was a sweaty mess. No reason for wool there,either.

Well there's actually few more: 7 wonders of the ancient world 7 wonders of the world 7 wonders of the new world 7 natural wonders of the world I guess I could still squeeze some umpiry things in though. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There's only seven of them. That should leave you plenty of time to work on watching F3, practice looking at the base and listening to the ball hit the glove, working on your timing, identifying anything about his technique relative to this post. You know... umpiry things.

Before the top of the first I normally run a couple of sprints down right field line and do some slight stretching. Gets my blood pumping and get a little extra cardio in for the day.

Was?

First, if he's missing an inch off the plate, call that strike, (unless you're in the MLB)! I don't get too worked up over what he says to the other players but when he throws his hands in the air after a call that's toward me and I'll send the catcher out to stop it right then. If he does it again..gone. All of the other antics were directed elsewhere but will lead to him doing it to you so be ready when he does.