humanbackstop19

The verbal "NO CATCH" with a safe mechanic has never gone sour for me. A quick glance to a partner (middle if 3 or 4 person) to check if they have closed or open fist (always pregame it), then sell the crap out of it one way or the other.

On an enforcement note, FPSR is an immediate dead ball at the time of the interference in FED, correct? I believe it is delayed in NCAA and OBR.......maybe

At first, I thought they called "passing" on Bohm, the BR. But it turned out they called the out at first on the batter runner because they stepped on the bag, retiring the BR, prior to tagging R1. The mechanics were hard to read because of the point on the putout of the BR. The timing of the point is what led me to believe he called "passing" while R1 remained on first. Great case play.

Just curious how many guys wear the throat protector on their masks. I just picked up a Wilson titanium and am considering one since the angle of the built-in guard is steeper than my old aluminum (which I did not have one attached). Do you prefer the 4" or 6" guard? Any recommendations on brand/model? Thanks to all.

I know they make the compression shirts NOCSAE approved over the heart in youth sizes, but I've never seen adult versions. And........I submitted - C was wrong answer.

Question from a state FED test: The catcher shall wear a body/chest protector that meets NOCSAE standard at the time of manufacture. The body/chest protector options are: A. Traditional chest protector w/ NOCSAE approve pad attached. B. A compression shirt that has a NOCSAE approved cardiac cavity. C. A newly manufactured traditional chest protector that meets NOCSAE standard. (my answer) D. All of the above I don't see anything in the rule book other than it has to be marked with NOCSAE logo and approved, but I don't have anything newer than a 2019 case book either. Just making sure I'm not missing something on compression shirts.

Selling my old All Star System 7 CP. Wore it for 4 seasons. It's the shorter 13" model. In great condition with S7 harness and protection value is as good as it comes. Asking $85 + shipping. PM me with questions or private offers.

Update: Took the first direct hit yesterday in a JUCO game. P was mid to upper 80's. Foul ball caught me square in the right shoulder extension. Big plastic "whack" ........ Did not feel a thing! Loving this thing more every time I wear it.

I'm only 5'10" so took the abdominal extension off naturally. I took the should plates off as well, but kept them in the more marrow position.

On a bounding ball like the OP suggests, there's no changing that. Only thing to do is swallow pride and hope you don't have to dump a coach for an admitted kicked call. Learn from it and burn the proper timing - pause, read, and react, then give the foul mechanic as "Dead ball", verbal "FOUL!", then point.

OK, got my first in-action game test of the Cobalt vs System 7 in Saturday night and here are the main thoughts. First, compared to the System 7 (which I absolutely loved for 4 years), I could barely tell I was wearing a CP most of the game. It is much lighter, lower profile, and breathed very well. Even throwing balls back to the P was a helluva lot easier. I kept my System 7 just in case, but I think it's gonna hit the secondary market soon.

Before we opened HS ball in Iowa last summer on June 15, our association all but stated publicly we would be refunded or carried over to the next year if the season got canned. We played. 94% out of 320+ teams played without any interruption over a 6-week season. Only a handful totally opted out.

I've been guilty of INT before and enforced it. Sucks, but I learned from it. I examined the rule and 2-21-2 says: "It is umpire interference when he inadvertently moves as to hinder a catcher's throw........" FED is the only code with that definition and it does differ from the previous citation in this post, so it throws a completely different dynamic into enforcement. With that said, is it reasonable to judge in FED whether you went into the catcher, or the catcher came into you?

In Iowa, we were told if unapproved baseballs were provided, and the home team had none, to check with the visiting team to see if they had approved baseballs. If neither team had compliant baseballs, we used what we had, but reported it to the AD of the home team and state association.

I have the S7 shins and love them. My only improvement suggestion area, which does not looks like it was addressed in the new Cobalt shins, is I find the ankle protection is vulnerable. It does have a firm plastic insert, but not as protective as the Wilson flaps only slightly overlaps at the top of my mid NB plate shoes. However, they are low profile, light, and very easy to move around in. They breathe very well in hot temps and the pads come right out for easy washing. I'm only 5'11''. I bought a 17" pair and cut the top extension off. They fit like a glove with perfect placement in my knee cap and you cannot tell they were cut. That might solve your problem. If the price is right, go for it!

In Iowa we got through our abbreviated summer season, in which games started on June 15 (normally around May 22), with less than 5 percent of baseball and softball teams' seasons being interrupted or ended by COVID 19. We had a full postseason schedule, ending at the end of July. Many teams played as many as 30 regular season games. Baseball has a proven case where baseball can be played safely, but precautions need to be mandated and upheld at each schools' responsibility. In states where Legion ball overlaps with a late start, that is quite the predicament to be in as a state official. I look forward to following this post to see updates and how other states handle this. Hope everyone gets the chance to work as much as possible. Stay safe everyone!

From a rules standpoint....Agree. From a coaching fundamentals stance ("hit em in the chest!"), I'll let the coaches figure it out.

Fielders (even LH 1B-man) taking a throw from in front of the mound are taught to take the throw with left foot on base. It sacrifices a stretch, but opens up a target to the chest and mobility to move laterally into fair territory (can't go foul, cause the train's comin through) or knock the ball down in front of them if it's low. Because the fielder could not do those things, it supports a poor quality in the throw and justifies a no-call.

If you start in a proper 'C' you will step UP into the working area. I was taught you should be able to work your way to the back edge of the mound, and depending on how hard the ball was hit, be on the !B side of the back edge. From there, you pivot and retreat to get good look at any advance towards third. You can take your pivot and first couple steps while holding up the OUT signal (Much tougher if BR is safe at first to hold signal). 100% agree in pre-pitch signal was to stay home form PU, BU has all plays in the infield. This is good example where guys can get in trouble pre-pitch by starting too deep in C.

Excellent protocol to pregame situations and priorities like this. I'd bring up the post-game meeting as well. Anytime I see something like this I may initially disagree with (any close call for that matter), Im saying, "Let's talk about that......in the ......inning." We can all learn something, for better or worse if we communicate those things after.

This link answered my question. Every MLB umpire worked deep B on steals at second with only R1.

Little off my OP, but this is one I can chime in on as you speak of R1/R3. I've been advised at a clinic the proper 2-man mechanic taught at pro school is to stick tight to your B position, don't drop step, and follow the ball. This prevents the tangle with a middle infielder, while holding the "angle over distance" philosophy of 2-man. You have the same angle at second base by just turning as the ball passes, while you can make a read step in towards home plate if the throw goes behind, or back to R3 from the middle IF making a cut.

I agree with your thinking, but CCA manual made a change this year saying, "umpires are not allowed to start in the infield and then run to a position out in the dirt looking straight down the baseline toward second base during a steal play." Do pro mechanics allow what you're saying, which in thought is nice?

Just looking for feedback. I'm watching a series of games which is using 4-man crews. Almost every U2 is set up in C with only R1. CCA manual gives choice of B or C (same as 3-man). I don't work 4-man too much, but I prefer staying in deep B. Puts me in a better window for the majority of SB attempts and make a read step if needed. In C it seems you can get blocked off by middle infielder taking the throw and bag on errant throw, or get straight-lined. Thoughts, feedback?

Sold. Please lock it up @Thunderheads