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is that buyout offer in the original CBA agreement that was just signed. in other words did the language say that any umpire with 20 years?? and 55 years??(just what are the terms) of age could accept a buyout offer after the 2026 season, as long as they turned in the paperwork by a certain date during the 2026 season. was this an offer for all the umpires meeting certain criteria/terms, or just a special offer for this group above. what are the criteria. how much of a buyout would you get after working the 1st year of the contract, how much of a buyout if you meet whatever the requirements are would you get in the second year. how much after the 3rd. if you are still working the last yeatr of the contract there should be no buyout, as you would basically be waiting to get in on the first year of a new contract. inquring minds want to know.

Thanks for noticing… @DerekGDS and I (and others) have been keeping track of it since Charlie debuted it in late March. @wolfe_man and @concertman1971 and @834k3r have heard from me enough that, “All we need is one, just one MLBU to wear it, and everything will take off from there”, and Derek hauls off and drops on me that Ramos broke camp with it, my heart nearly stopped. Unless my eyes deceive me, I think I spotted Rob Drake using Davis Cores&Socks pads on his Wilson DynaTite mask. I’m especially hopeful of seeing more Davis C&S pads out there, since not only is Team Wendy no longer producing any pads, but Davis cores are available in 3 different levels, and the socks (casings) are devoid of any branding that would have to be otherwise obscured. Of course, if sand-tan or sky blue was in circulation, that’d really draw eyeballs. 👀

Looking for some base shoe recommendations. Right now I’m rotating between two old pairs of the New Balance V2s (one mid-top and one low-top), but both are about shot and I’m in desperate need of an upgrade. I’m curious what everyone is wearing that is not advertised as an “umpire shoe”. I definitely prefer shoes with white accents over an all-black look if possible. What are you guys recommending for comfort, durability, and overall performance on the bases? If you’ve got pictures, I’d really appreciate seeing those too! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

How is it legal when a man is on first and pitcher turns toward first in the throw toward second. He held the ball and didn't throw. He turn toward first without making a play on the runner. Runner went back to first. How is it not a balk?

Doesn't this wording imply that only 1st base can be the 18" pizza box? Great catch and too kind. It prescribes only first base can be 18": "Beginning next year, high school baseball teams will be given the option to use an 18-inch first base or the double first base. The larger base is presented as an alternative to the previously mandated double first base, which goes into effect in 2027."

Doesn't this wording imply that only 1st base can be the 18" pizza box?

Hey everyone, Figured it was finally time to stop lurking and make an account. I’ve been reading Umpire-Empire since around 2016 when I started umpiring at 13 years old, and I’ve learned a lot from the discussions here over the years. I’m from southeast Michigan and currently umpire both baseball and softball, from 8U all the way through high school. I’m always looking to improve and enjoy working games at every level. Umpiring definitely runs in my blood. My dad has been an umpire for over 40 years and has served as a USSSA UIC/assigner in southeast Michigan for more than 20 years. I grew up around ballfields and have been fortunate to learn a lot from him. Looking forward to learning even more, contributing where I can, and getting to know everyone here! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Crappy for the batter for sure, but that's on the coach. If the coach wants to come and argue about it, it will be a short one and a long walk to the parking lot.

Seeing it more and more across both MLB and MiLB. You'll notice that only those with good flow and tight haircuts do it. That would exclude me (though my haircut is as tight as you can get ) Maybe @tpatience can chime in on whether they run the harness tighter than normal or something more.

Grabbing two strikes here is the crappy end of the stick, I think. Batter stepped out because his coached called for time. I'm all for not granting time, calling a strike on the pitch and warning the coach if he pulls that again he's going to be restricted.

I watched him the other night. He takes it on and off like a one piece catcher's mask. Has he combined the two or has he just got very proficient at pulling the two off together with one hand?

May have missed this on the Forum but I caught the Red Sox-White Sox game a couple of days ago and noticed Charlie Ramos using the Mirage and GD pads...couldn't find a good photo online but did see this from earlier in the season: www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/umpire-charlie-ramos-works-a-game-between-the-st-louis-news-photo/2274572492?adppopup=true first sighting at the MLB level?

Quick bump

Correct and thank you for the correction. The rule text is below. [I forgot this rule because I've never heard of it actually being called and, arguably, it's not the OP but you are right to bring it up]

Pitcher can turn either way to 2B. It must be continuous and there must be a step more toward 2B.

Runner on first base Pitcher on rubber Runner on first fakes a steal Pitcher on rubber turn to throw to second Pitcher does not throw the ball Since pitcher was on the rubber and made turn in direction of first Is this considered a balk? Pitcher never stepped off rubber to make the throw. Since pitcher was turning in the direction of first base while runner was on would that be deception and shouldn't pitcher have to throw the ball. Many people are saying this is legal that pitcher can turn and attempt put out at Second. My main question While on the rubber with man on first any attempt of pitcher's movement toward first is a balk? I understand this play if a runner on second base and runner on first. But second was empty and pitcher made the turn while still engaging the rubber.

I'm travelling so I can't get the specific rule and language, but, in FED, the batter stepping out of the box is a penalty strike. Batter steps out (penalty strike), ball stays live, pitch is a strike. You have two strikes added to the count.

There is no rule to support for a second strike or anyone being out (and good on the plate for grabbing the strike) Resume or not, this calls for a warning, dugout restriction, or immediate ejection.

High School ball tournament NFHS rules. Runners on first and third. Count and outs don't really matter, but it was 1-0 with no outs. The third base coach gave signals to his runners and batter. Then, he must have realized he gave the wrong signals because he made a sudden racket, saying whoa, whoa, whoa, timeout, as the pitcher was in motion to come home to the plate and the ball might even have already been released. As the coach is calling timeout, he actually walks out onto the field and all the play ceased. The batter stepped out of the box, the fielders all relaxed, and the runners all returned to their bases. The pitch came across the plate and the umpire called it a strike. Then, the umpire called timeout and then told the coach that the coach's timeout request had not been granted. The umpire called coach's interference and ruled a second strike, making the count 1-2. The question is, if there's coach's interference, isn't the batter or runner supposed to be called out? And which runner, the one on second or the one on first? I figured it should be the lead runner. Someone else in the stands said it should have been the batter who was ruled out. Not that this matters but I believe the third base coach is a former professional minor league player, because he seemed to carry some gravitas with both teams and someone said he is always pulling stunts like this.

HP Umpire Alan Porter ejected Phillies DH Kyle Schwarber (check swing strike three call by 3B Umpire Roberto Ortiz) in the top of the 6th inning of the #Phillies-#Royals game. With one out and one on, Phillies batter Schwarber attempted to check his swing on a 1-2 cutter from Royals pitcher Steven Cruz, ruled a ball by HP Umpire Porter and called a swinging strike on appeal by 3B Umpire Roberto Ortiz. At the time of the ejection, the Royals were leading, 10-1. The Royals ultimately won the contest, 15-1. This is Alan Porter (64)'s 4th ejection of 2026. This is the 64th ejection report of the 2026 MLB regular season.This is the 20th player ejection of 2026. Ejection Tally: 34 Managers, 10 Coaches, 20 Players.This is Philadelphia's 2nd ejection of 2026, 2nd in the NL East (MIA 3; NYM, PHI 2; ATL, WAS 1). This Kyle Schwarber's 1st ejection since April 24, 2022 (Angel Hernandez; QOC = Y [Balls/Strikes]).This is Alan Porter's 4th ejection of 2026, 1st since May 23 (Don Kelly; QOC = Y [ABS Challenge]). Wrap: Philadelphia Phillies vs Kansas City Royals, 7/6/26 | Video as follows: Alternate Link: Porter ejects Schwarber for shoo-fly'ing Ortiz with wave-off after check swing strikeoutView the full article

Thank you for covering the gap, and I hope you've enjoyed the last three years! 1) As a guy who sweats easily, I appreciate the heat-based upvote for the Smittys. Fall ball here in Vermont shouldn't be too bad temperature-wise, but this summer has been particularly muggy, so these will come in handy. 2) It sounds like the Enduro is the way to go. I think I will have to buy the bullet and get a CP that a) affords great protection; b) is bound to last long. 3) Same thing for the Force 3. Tons of folks recommend these, so I will have to join the Force 3 club. Derek, thank you for the detailed breakdown (and straight from GDS, no less!). This has made my pants-purchasing task much easier. I have a tab with the Enduro and Force 3 ready to go. I completely agree about pants-buying: an actual store would be nice. Good to know about the sticking point. Always great to hear from the undisputed gear guru! I'm really excited about GDS's future products, and I think I will celebrate by getting myself that Enduro. All, this has been super helpful, and it feels incredibly great to be back, SJD!

I did miss the "State adoption part. If I could delete, I would. But it does raise another point. Skylands Stadium. Here in Sussex County, now has the pizza boxes for the Frontier League. We just had a PBR tournament there and used them. High schools routinely use Skylands for in season games.. Usually special events like a senior night, or just a chance to play in a nice little stadium. I don't know how the bases are anchored in the turf, but I don't see Skylands accomading high schools with a double 1B. Will NJ allow teams to play there with the pizza boxes?

Is it, though? The 18” pizza box bases are an optional alternative. Instead, from the read, NJ is going all-in for compliance to the double base rule. My experienced estimate is that this (the inclusion of optional 18” bases) is a bone tossed to the schools / programs / venues / states that support a multitude of baseball levels conjunctively. Arizona high schools, especially those in Phoenix and Tucson, frequently play on fields that are part of or adjacent to OBR (Pro, et. al.) Baseball, which have largely eliminated the standard bases from their supplies. In fact, 3 of our 5 NAIA schools play on MLB/MiLB facilities, and are unable to support the double-first-base. Then back here in Wisconsin, there’s a complex near-&-dear to me that has 5 60-90 ball fields (1 Inde-pro stadium, 4 in a quad), with no less than 5 nearby school districts using their fields for Varsity baseball games. This complex also serves dozens of OBR and NFHS -based tournaments and leagues, as well as Adult Amateur. But again, it’s not only a physical facilities issue, but also a Human Resources / personnel issue. As we’ve discussed before, the kids that are playing OBR on the weekends are the very same kids playing for their high schools on Tuesdays and Fridays… with the same umpires in both environments!! This isn’t an excuse or “free-pass” to remain ignorant, unaware, or uneducated of rules (by umpires), but if a state weighs these costs against the benefits, and finds that the enlarged bases are the best optional compromise, then they should be able to adopt that. … and, finally, it appears NFHS is building that into it; certainly more obvious than the “it shall be navy” clause.

So glad they made this "rule" change to stop this play