hckyosgood30

Welcome Ron, I echo what the majority of this panel has said. Buy quality up front. Get a mentor both where you want to be and network with the best in your unit as well. Get training here in SoCal you have many options on training that can't ever hurt you. You can make money but look for quality games over quantity if you can. Challenge yourself and be motivated to work every game as if an evaluator is in the stands. Look better then all and never stop hustling. Get into the book now and you'll be working alot of single man at first. But know the rotations and positioning of the two man system. So when you get your shot you can rise to the occasion. Know the rules, know the rules, know the rules. And above all else have fun! Welcome

Ya'll should come visit me and a few others out here its 75 degrees and sunny! So I think on my lunch break I'll drive the 2 miles down the road and watch a D1 team practice and get a little sun while I'm at it..... hmmmmm oh yea and tonight I'm strapping it on for their scrimmage I may have to wear my short sleeves just for you guys :smachhead:

Mommy mommy, that's the mean umpire who threw daddy out of the game for not getting him a hot dog! lol Eject when needed and don't regret a second of it. I will talk a manager down first, and answer a reasonable question that is asked of me. If an AC comes out of his box I'll ask him if this is something that the manager should be asking. At that point they get it, if not then they are on thin ice. Just remember its never fast if it's necessary. Usually a cordial but firm statement or a "That's enough" will get it through the thickest of skulls.

Hey blue isn't there a pill named after you for that?

No it isn't sold as of yet

If you at a game and you see someone taking pics with a nice camera just ask them to send you a few, you'd be surprised how many photographers will do that for you for free!

I'm digging the brown shoes

At least the Avalanche is better then the Pontiac Aztec! = YUCK! FUGLY

Lol take a look at my pic and you'll know.

Count down timer won't matter we're all dead in 16 days anyway!!!!!! Hopefully my team wendy retro will be done by then. Then I'll be protected! :Cool2:

To each there own, I really don't care if a guy want to go play catch with his boy, swim, bike, dance, sex or whatever to get cardio for an hour a day but I employ my guys to find something that they find enjoyable that can give them cardio and do it.

Well Guys, I'm going through my bag and I've found a few things that I'm going to pass on. Several are going to my local little league for the kids. But this one is going to you guys first then to Ebay. Its a Wilson standard view titanium mask. It's my 3rd mask so I really don't need it and it never see's the field who ever gets it will get a steal, since this mask is pretty much brand new still. The cost is $130 the cost for me to get my team wendy retro fit done. Where ever the winning buyer is I'll calculate the cheapest shipping from there to you.

I will agree that running is a big thing as a whole for most if not all officials. Cuban I'm glad you brought up yoga and/or stretching because I think it's something that many guys over look not only during season but out of season. The reason I bring this up is I help a lot of guys in my units and they all ask me why its so important it doesn't help me call balls or strikes. I think this can be our greatest detriment. No it can't but it can get you in the best position, elongate your career, expand your career because of perception and make you feel better after games or in those dog day games. Oh yea as well as oh I dunno your life. I personally don't think its just an in-season/out-season issue. I have a corporate job and as I'm sure you can see by my post I was up until 1a and now I'm awake at 7 that's just life. But I still find time to workout for an hour doing strength training and go for at least a 3 mile run, with stretching before and after 5 times a week. I workout with other umpires to keep them and myself inspired. I do functional workouts to not get into ruts and only have fitness in a single facet. Being a sports official means that we get to be between the lines for our passion and potentially watch some of the best athletes of their generation play at any given level. Furthermore we as baseball umpires get to be stopped for the play, which means we need to work twice as hard and smarter then others to afford that luxury and be in the best positioning possible. And IMHO you can't do that without proper training and fitness both in season and out. Ok rant off. Just my $0.02

Ok guys, I know that the year has wound down for most of you. And for those happy few that live in the sunbelt myself included this topic is still holds firm. We all can get up for the season and summer time when it comes to working out. But do you change your workout in the off season versus in-season? Does your workout change as the weather gets colder? What do you think is the biggest pit fall for officials physically? Do you even work out at all? And finally what is your reasoning behind your choices?

Welcome

Welcome officially from out of the lurker status John.

I'm not really sure what an off season is..... But what you described is my ritual for first open 2 days of the month. So for me that would be 3/4th of December will be my big retooling day. Then my next game after that will be on the 9th. aahhhh southern california!

Warren, You're not alone in this my friend. But principles over personalities in the end. He is still a brother of the cloth and like most of my family can be a pain from time to time. I much like you, I rate myself against the people I'm grouped with. However, I find that guys like the one you're describing might get that state final, or another coveted assignment at the same time as you or maybe even before. But if you continue to do what you do and get better at it then you'll be the one in the college ranks, or getting the call back to the next state championship while he is watching ESPN Sunday night game of the week. Control what you can control and work hard. It does sting a bit to feel equal to a man not of your ilk. But wish him the best and let that feed your competitive nature. I wish you the best on your next milestone. And remember its only a mile stone when you've came from somewhere and are still moving forward. This is not your destination and it might just be his.

Thanks Warren this should be interesting to see our brothers in action.

Guys, Much like what has already been said the NFL shoes are unique to the NFL officials currently. Thunder I've asked my contacts at Nike for years to get into the officials shoe game. Nike doesn't do it unless there are margins involved. We as much as we'd like to think so are not a big enough margin. And most officials won't spend the $100+ on the top end nike shoes. I own several pairs of the nike proto types that are paten leather, leather, synthetic etc in extra wide. Yes boys they do make them in extra wide if you know how to ask. But until Nike gains the MLB contract which is still a distinct possibility. Then they won't officially enter the game. They'll continue to allow the gear heads that really want them to seek them out. We might see these available next year if the trickle effect works out, but don't hope a pray on nike's made main stream in the near future. If you want leather airmax's they are available online and they do a good job on shine and staying clean with minimal white.

I've played around with the idea of tatoos for awhile now. Many of the guys I went to college with and are still friends with to this day have them and hold corporate jobs like me as long as it's covered. I asked my mentor about it. He told me absolutely not visible. The reasoning is simple. In this area there is way to much competition, and the old guard is still alive and in charge. They have a hard enough time swallowing young guys with professional experience and non coming into their conferences already. Now if your older and served and it's not terribly visible I've seen up to the D1 guys wear them and coaches don't say much b/c they know they served and they already have the reputation. But if your a young guy and you want to compete at least around me keep it covered. BTW this is HS-D1 I'm talking about.

I'll be at San Fran

Congrats! My suggestion is find a mentor preferably a DI guy. Then create a network of 3/4 close collegiate umpire brothers to discuss with. Then get in your rule book like a mad man and learn it song a verse. If you've made it in you've shown you have some skill on the field. Now be professional on and off of it. Finally stay ahead of yourself on clinics. If they only do 2man then learn 3man and have your mentor polish you up. Be willing to go anywhere for the first few years so the conference supervisor knows he can trust you. Just my $0.02 again congrats and don't suck!

Ok for the ones who are wondering, these came direct from the Reebok factory not from a retailer. I know a few websites have started to show the shoes and my contact tells me that they will be shipping out in the next weekish. So you will all have your opportunities soon. I asked my contact about other sizes i.e. wide widths and other designs like an all black mid. He told me that reebok is looking at several options to become available before season starts. Also they are looking at doing the zig in charcoal grey as well. I know its not blacked out like some of you wanted but that is the info that I have. As noted before I will post more pics later on this weekend. I wore them in the rain yesterday and they cleaned up great. The added traction and flexibility of this shoe is amazing. I hope this helps

I can tell you these are very comfy, they shine up nice and they aren't very hard to clean. As for the whole I don't like all the white. Well that's your own personal choice they come in all black, or you can take some goof off and polish and make them more black and just leave the white you want. More pics to come for those interested. But I love these shoes!