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@Marcus6 yes, Gerry Davis will be carrying them.

The current Purchase Officials catalog says they are getting these in 2027. Is Davis getting these @DerekGDS?

Yes. Believe it so much they list it twice: 5.09(b)(8) Any runner is out when he attempts to score on a play in which the batter interferes with the play at home base before two are out. With two out, the interference puts the batter out and no score counts; 6.01 (a)(3) Before two are out and a runner on third base, the batter hinders a fielder in making a play at home base; the runner is out;

This has been sitting in my closet for a few years. I no longer wear HSM. This is the old style Wilson with the shocks. Mask isin pretty good shape. $100 obo

This has been sitting in my closet for a few years. I no longer wear HSM. This is the old style Wilson with the shocks. Mask isin pretty good shape. $100 obo

This has been sitting in my closet for a few years. I no longer wear HSM. This is the old style Wilson with the shocks. Mask isin pretty good shape. $100 obo

Oo, I like this perspective. Isn't there a provision or component to INT regarding INT by a "member of the teat at bat", ie. base coaches? With R1, INT by the BC (either) results in Batter being called out, Runners return (paraphrased, IIRC). However, with R3, INT by the BC (3BC specifically?) results in R3 being called Out? Yes? Is that how I remember it? Then again, if I remember correctly, there's a provision for squeeze plays, with BI... that R3 is specifically called Out, and Batter continues, as punishment and prevention for attempting to score R3 again. Yes?

I use "at home base" as the location where a batter would be guilty of BI. Others argue that any hindrance of "a play at home base" would be BI.

What ruleset? NCAA has the same as all baseball rulesets: "11.20.2 Exceptions: (1) If a base runner is advancing to home plate and there are fewer than two outs, the base runner, instead of the batter, is out." USA rulebook is difficult to navigate and I can't find anything one way or the other. I don't have NFHS.

Good question. We don't have BI, we have a member of the team at bat failing to vacate and hindering the pitcher. R3 out other runners return. 6.01(b) What's the distinction you're using to invoke 6.01(b) vs 5.09(b)(8) / 6.01(a)(3)?

Good question. We don't have BI, we have a member of the team at bat failing to vacate and hindering the pitcher. R3 out other runners return. 6.01(b)"...............................................If a member of the team at bat (other than a runner) hinders a fielder’s attempt to field a thrown ball, the ball is dead, the runner on whom the play is being made shall be declared out and all runners return to the last legally occupied base at the time of the interference."

Ok, I'm a softball guy where we would call the batter out on INT and send the runner(s) back. Is this called differently in the little ball/big field game?

Right, but are we calling the Batter out (and R3 back to 3B)? Or R3 (and Batter continues)?

Well, welcome back Kotter! Hey! Our buddy @wolfe_man can relate! Whichever mask you're after, might I recommend investing in a set of "our" Davis Cores-&-Socks pads? From a technical standpoint, the Force3 Ultimates are demonstrably better than the Douglas PDS's, simply because Force3 employs a Kevlar-skinned EVA (closed cell) foam, while Douglas (stubbornly) uses Qualux upholstery foam. The two are virtually equitable in their hard shell designs, but the Douglas has a better ankle buttress and an additional thigh (above the knee) plate. Metal clips & rings are barbaric and arcane (Douglas), but plastic side-release buckles (Force3) aren't perfect, despite being quieter and corrosion-free. Both the Douglas and Force3s keep their shape much, much better than any of the Wilson units, which suffer not only from the use of cheap open-cell upholstery foam, but also from weakly-molded ABS, which has this stupid habit of flattening out. With that said, Douglas shins are highly valued by the pro and amateur umpires that own them. Davis is working on several new models. Please understand... it's not just "two new ones" – it's an entire new family of chest protectors, all sharing the same DNA, just configured in different ways for different contexts. All DX units consist of shaped and contoured HDPE plates, which are thinner, lighter, just as durable as ABS, and hold their shape better. The DX units join the +POS Cobra and All-Star Cobalt in this. They all feature a very effective flex-style harness, and their fastening hardware is the enigmatic G-hook. The key component, though, that sets the DX family apart from the rest of the market is the pad vest. Instead of using open-cell upholstery foam (Wilson, Douglas, etc.), Davis combines EVA (closed-cell) foam and a now-named crosslink mesomorphic (meaning, it changes shape and thickness in accordance to pressure or impact energy) foam called Covalta. In the DX family, Covalta is employed on the Mk2 and the Kuta. The Enduro received D3O AeroMax, which is a unique, advanced foam that remains pliant and flexible, like silly putty, until struck with an impact energy, wherein it stiffens like plywood. This characteristic allows these foams to occupy a volume one-third that of open-cell foam (the upholstery foam Wilson uses). Then, the decisive characteristic is that both Covalta and D3O are hydrophobic, shedding water / moisture near-instantly. The vaunted Riddell Power never had it so good. Granted, it was the quintessential CP, and achieved legendary status, primarily because it: A) fit really well, B) was rare (a limited quantity were made before Wilson slapped the C&D Injunction on it), and C) was thinner than the Wilson units, despite using open-cell upholstery foam. Again, granted, it was all they had in the 80s and 90s... but that's even more indicting and damning for Wilson, because they haven't updated or modernized their CPs in 30 years, yet still charge us premium prices for them!!! In defense of the All-Star Cobalt, it's a very good CP; in my professional-technical opinion, it's the best rival to the Davis DX family. However, there are features on the Cobalt that are, frankly, downright maddening (SRBs and their placement, extension, ailettes, etc.) that Davis learned to address and remedy. By contrast, the Force3 UnEqual designed and progressed itself into a "design cul-de-sac" (ie. dead end) that it can't extricate out of without starting all over. It's good, and does what it's supposed to and billed to be (ie. lower profile than the Wilson Gold), but its performance shortcomings don't warrant the premium cost. They're being bought because of supply saturation and pervasiveness. Smitty uniform pieces (shirts, jackets, pants) are everywhere. And, every association head / assigner / coordinator who directs or influences his charges to purchase these pieces gets two things very valuable to him: A) a cut of dividends (a kickback), and B) all* of his umpires compliant to his expectations of "uniform code". Smitty pants ain't perfect. Far from. How do I know this? Because many of the colleagues I encounter are pursuing SSKs. Yes, it's that similar "novelty" factor that fuels the Riddell Power's aura, but that's gotta be some aura – or some significant shortcomings on those Smittys – to drive these umpires to seek out and purchase pants that are easily $100+ per unit, and that's not even factoring in tariffs, shipping, and importation! I have the same ones – Pro7131s. Expander waist band, belt tunnel in the back (instead of 2-3 loops), flat fronts... but skinny. Slim. Built for the twentysomething that I certainly am not any longer (but try desperately to cling to). I also have the Davis DCP711s (Base) and DCP721s (Plate). Flat front, super thin, static waistband. The plate pants have not only a saddle-stitched reinforced seat, but reinforced knees that reduce the hang-ups on shinguards. The leg cut, though again, is Slim. Makes ya kinda conscious of being 50 and trying to look like you belong amongst college athletes. So! Like 'em, and they're better than my ol' Smittys, but I'm taking them down to Phoenix to work this Fall and leaving them in my gear cache there. Davis did recently equip me with the brand-new BFXPros, in both Plate and Base, and I can honestly say, these are the best pants I've owned and worn to date. These are in the "NCAA Charcoal" colorway, and I trust they'll be able to endure my use of them up here in the Midwest. They look the most like the ol' best polywools, but are easily the best domestic rival to the SSKs.

Yes, I have INT on the batter.

That might influence one's decision! 😂

INT

Reportedly all 7 were bought out. "According to USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale, seven MLB umpires have informed the league they will be accepting a buyout offer and retiring after the 2026 season. Among them are CB Bucknor and Laz Diaz, alongside Brian O’Nora, Lance Barksdale, Marvin Hudson, Tony Randazzo and Andy Fletcher." https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2026/07/05/cb-bucknor-laz-diaz-retire-mlb-umpires-buyout-2026-season/90814368007/

Wow, there will be 7 openings in MLB next year? I guess it's a good time to be a AAA umpire and a call up. I don't know if MLB gave him any help, of course I'm sure they're not sad to see him go. I'm sure it is a number of reasons. I'm thinking it might also have something to do with ABS. One thing about ABS is that it gives umpires real time feedback, and sometimes that feedback can be real glaring. I'm sure some of them are thinking they need to tighten things up. At the pro level, If you miss a pitch by less than an inch, I'm sure most umpires won't feel bad about that. But if you miss big and the whole stadium knows it and comes down on you, I'm sure that's not a great feeling. And when Jomboy is doing a video like this about you, that's gotta mess with your game. I'm not being critical of CB as I couldn't carry his jockstrap as an umpire. I do think social media can be unfair many times and wrongly vilify people. Unfortunately, good or bad SM is imbedded in our culture. I'm just wondering if all the glaring criticism played a part in his retirement decision.

selling my TW chest protector with no harness. It’s covered in stickers which can be removed and perhaps redone. $350 free shipping in the US.

I've lost 50+ pounds and have decided to celebrate by getting rid of things that no longer fit and gear I no longer use. Some of it is faded or has discoloration but might still be good for a newer umpire so check link at bottom for pictures of all gear. All prices include shipping. Smitty umpire shirts and jackets all 3XL $20 each, discounts for volume Traditional Black--has some markings on front Traditional Grey--has some marking on front Navy--has some marking on front Powder Blue--has sunscreen stains around collar Red--like new Pink--like new GHSA Navy LS--like new Navy with red stripe jacket Ball Bags $20 for each set or both sets if bought together Force 3 Navy--is faded from use Force 3 Black--has some sunscreen stains Mask Harness--2 UL V2 harnesses $20 each Umplife Shoe Bag set $20 Umplife UBag $20 All-Star Cobalt skull cap sand finish $30 https://imgur.com/a/umpire-gear-oIceY6u

MLB: Controversial umpire CB Bucknor hangs up his mask and calls it quits for good I wonder how much "help" MLB gave him to make this decision?

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2026/07/05/cb-bucknor-laz-diaz-retire-mlb-umpires-buyout-2026-season/90814368007/ in more recent times the fewest amount of call up games before being hired full time was Dan Bellino, who had 1 game in 2008, 31 games in 2009, and 112 games in 2010, or 144 call up games before a 2011 full time hire.