hckyosgood30

Chris, you would get the shoes that I was just looking at! How does the patten clean up?

No this mask is much like the Nike Titanium mask. Easton only has this mask out to their Athletes. I know an umpire who uses it. But good luck finding one in the general public.

slo, The delta force strap isn't just a plug and play for anyone who's larger ie. 40 jacket size and above. If your skinny enough then its extremely easy. However for me (size 42L) I took my elastic straps from the wilson and cut them in half. Then I went to my tailor and had them take off the nylon delta flex strap and replace them with the wilson elastic straps. All in all $5 and about 30 min of waiting. As for the clips on the delta force when you order it from allstar they don't come with it, so there is nothing to remove. And on my wilson the nylon straps fit perfectly on the shoulder. If you'd like more pictures look up "customizing your gear." I put a few pics of my wilson platinum on there. I love the feel of my chest protector now! It's much more snug moves better with me, is lower profiled as well as there's no plastic disk to cut into my back. All in all if all-star could make this strap available for "bigger" guys by just adding a longer strap then it would be a full plug in play but for now you may need some tweeking. Hope this helps

Brad, Thanks for all of the information! On the 4000 can we order it with the leather padding that I see some of MLB guys wearing much like the wilson fx? Or do I have to take the pads to my local leathersmith and have him make new ones for me again? Also on the new chest protector Please put on the delta flex back strap, or make it an option! I love that strap and I've put them on all of my wilsons. Just my $0.02

ones the allstar 4000 vs the UA is the same at the Allstar 2500. So I believe thats your price difference. But the UA is the same as the allstar.

Well I tried, I got a call back in about 5 min. The owner said that he doesn't have any Wilson's in stock and he is canceling all online orders. Apparently the guy who did his website started it then stopped and put in a code that the default price is 50.00! So this has become is personal nightmare. He told me if anyone would like any gear to give him a call and he will quote you the correct price. However the prices online, and the shipping cost aren't accurate and if you try to order online your order will be canceled. So that's the 411, but I was hoping!

UmpTT, I completely agree with you on the mentor and development programs. My unit as well started up one again last year and the members who went thru it learned alot. One of the main problems I think plagues any unit, is how to evaluate the talent of the group, and individuals. Yes word of mouth counts for something but pure surprise evaluations I think are some of the best learning tools you can use. I know that its very difficult for many units, to find qualified evaluators that are willing to give up there time, most likely another game to watch someone else work. This however to me is a key component to developing any unit. Umpires in my unit have several years of experience, however if you've done it wrong for 20 years then does that now make it right? I'm interested to see how some of you would take on the development process.....? thoughts?

This came up between me and a few fellow umpires last week during our association meeting. What do you like and dislike about your association? If you were the president what changes or new programs would you start and why? Odviously we would all like lower fees, and more money for games, but past that how would you better your local unit? This thread is for all of us to share our ideas and hopefully take them back to our local associations and make changes for the better.

Umpirecordova, I like what you did with your reeboks. What type of paint did you use, and how long did it take you?

Na don't like it, buy the 4000Ti oh wait that's allstar.... lol

Ump45, If you want the reeboks in a mid on the bases you'll have to do it with the field magistrate quad. Which technically is the NFL shoe. Same great shoe but with a NFL logo on it. Heres the link I hope this helps. http://www.allaroundsportsllc.com/Reebok_NFL_Referee_II_Mid_Quag_Shoe_320781_p/320781.htm Mike

Sgvump, I as most on here will always advocate buying the best gear you can. As for the chest protector being "$300" its no where close to that. If you call Mike over at empire-sports a local socal store he sold me mine for $130. Buy the best, and buy the gear made for umpires. Not, costco dickies, or izod polos. I know guys who are on the board of my association that during the summer wear sweated out hats, gray ripped socks, old faded almost pink pants, and regular izod polo shirts. And they look terrible, you can save money buy shopping around and guys on here will put up deals when we see them. But always try to buy the best, it will look, feel, and fit better. And its my belief when an umpire feels protected, and thinks he looks good he'll have more confidence in his game as well. just my $0.02

Jax, First it wasn't my call. It was my partners. Next no I didn't change the situation, I simply put it out there since the situation wasn't fully correct since I wrote it quickly while I was at work. I wouldn't change the situation to "cover my butt" to satisfy the cyberspace masses. I personally thought it was an odd ethical situation. Like I stated earlier, with the information presented by my partner later in the parking lot, when I asked him. I did think the call was correct at face value in a split second decision. Thus since I'd never seen that call made I put it up here for peoples thoughts. Thus the reason I said, "or was this a case of over umpiring?"

I agree with Major. Jim if you read this put me down for 1 as well. I have one already. But like the old fred astaire saying, "if it fits and you love it, buy one in every color." you never know how long till MLB changes their mind again and a great jacket will be gone.

Ok guys sorry for any confusion that this thread has created. I forgot to add, (honestly I thought I did but obviously not) the 18U was using FED rules b/c it was two local HS teams. Also The Coach Yelled "(kids name) Go Now" Yes my partner also knew both coaches and both teams very well. He also knew the players very well and knew that "johnny" was F4. This fact, since the kid at 3rd wasn't named "Johnny" coach claimed to have had a brain fart. Like I said, I didn't have anything since I was the BU, I was watching the play in front of me. But hearing the explanation from my partner I thought it was a sticky ethical situation, however I did think it was a good call at face value. I guess next time I will try to talk him out of it. Does having this additional information change the situation at all for you?

Good idea Warren, Its not a bad thing to be paranoid. My wifes a Dr. and she's paid to be paranoid. This was one of the first things I thought of as well when this topic popped up. The internet isn't written in pencil but ink. So once its out there it's very hard to take back. Glad your watching out for us Warren.

To me vision and tracking is the biggest part of my game. In sports what separates a great athlete from an average one is there vision. How fast they can see, focus, interperate, and react to any given situation. B/c it's very hard for the body to do much without its vision. You as an umpire can be in the best position, have the best training, great timing, and look professional but if you don't have vision can you make the call? Yet for some reason a lot of guys out there myself included for years would skip over this major detail. Or in clinics they'd talk about your stance and timing and say watch it all the way in but never really observe you track the ball. I see guys who are moving when making a call, or moving there head around behind the plate. And these guys are "good" officials. Sometimes I wonder how much better could these guys be if they'd track the ball. Start early and practice often and you'll be amazed at the results. just my $0.02 Mike

Yes, I do it as well. A few things you can do it incorporate this into your everyday life. throw a tennis ball in the air while laying on a bed/ground and track it back to your hand instead of moving your head. Also you can watch people, cars, anything while being a passenger in a car. When someone comes into your office pan your eyes first see what you can find before ever moving your head. Also try colors drills. Take a few different color sharpies and write numbers 1-5 in red, then the same in blue, and green, black etc. Once you have about 20 balls take them to a park and have a few buddys play catch or pitch. Then make your ball/strike call but saying the color before hand. This will force you to track and read spin much like player. Once you can do this easily start saying number and color before you make a call. Hope this helps, good luck. Mike

Yes you can add an Allstar Delta Flex harness to the platinum and it works very well. See the Post name "customizing your gear" for pictures of my platinum with the delta flex. Best,

LHSAA, NO its just a single pad that they've folded over and sewn in. If you cut it carefully with a razor blade it should come out perfectly clean. Then once you've sanded down the holes, anytime you want you have the pad in your bag and it will just slide in behind the plastic shell. As for cutting it you can with a dremel tool but know what your doing and sand it down afterwords. I did that to curve off the back that use to rub my neck. Now I have alot more room. As for allstar delta flex harness. Yes they do sell them just call allstar directly. The only thing I did was I took mine to my leather/tailor locally and ask them to sew on some elastic nylon on the side straps for more flex and comfort much like what is already on my platinum and gold. However I will say that this makes any chest protect feel alot better and more comfortable and controlled. Allstar did an amazing job when designing the delta flex.

LHSAA, Its a great pad, two things. First keep the pad in case you ever want to slide it in for a really big arm. 2. Sand down the holes after you've taken off the pad. Otherwise it may grab and snag your shirts.

Much like Mazz - two words, even tone. with strike on the hammer and three on the pull.

What have you done to your gear? I know basically everything of mine has been played with or tinkered with in some way shape or form. For example my west vest platinum. (please see pictures for reference) I've shaved the corners on the neck and trimmed the pad. I've put in new rivets. Trimmed the pads under the arm pits. And taken off the extra chest pad for a more low profile look, i.e. the riddel or douglas. Also I've taken off the back strap and replaced it with the one from my All-star catchers gear from college for a better fit. This is just one example but I'm wondering what you guys have done to yours? Mike

This is probably my favorite thread I've found on here so far. I agree with everything. If you saw my trunk it looks like a sectioned out locker room with all of these little nick-nacks. I would add to the list small tool kit and sewing kit for repairs. Extra shoe laces, a radio or smart phone to play pandora or "umpire mix", and braces for your knees or ankles. Even if you don't wear them. I remember I was in the middle of a 4 game tourny and I rolled my ankle on a sprinkler head that decide not to go all the way down! Made it through the game but then when i took off my shoes i taped my ankle, took ib profen, and put on the brace. Went out for the next 2 like it wasn't even there.

The point my partner made, was that the coach Yelled so loud it got everyone in the park to turn and look at him. Then after that much expression R2 still strolls back to 3rd???? That was the odd part about it. I'm not sure since I had the run down.