Umpire-Empire Latest Topics

Pages slow loading?

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 03:24:15 +0000

Is it just me or is this site running excruciatingly slow? I feel like it’s 1998 and I’m on AOL dialup. 🤷‍♂️

Umpire Needed

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:50:03 +0000

Hopefully my message is not out of place being posted here. I have found myself in a bit of a pickle. Had an umpire back out for a 9u rules double header this Sat at 1pm in Noblesville Indiana. Anyone interested in umpiring? My email is slade417@yahoo.com if so.

ATTENTION: PLEASE VERIFY YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS Information on next software update

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 18:33:37 +0000

Version 5.0.X of the forum software has officially launched. I am not going to be an early adapter, but I am following some discussions of people who are and the response the highly positive.

I will continue to monitor, but unless something crazy comes up, I plan on doing the upgrade in mid-February. Besides not wanting to be an early adapter, like many new software updates there are a ton of small updates that have already come out. They're literally already at 5.0.15... And I don't want to do a lot of small updates. I'll let the dust settle first.

I am always very hesitant to send an email out to all members, because I hate emails, and from 30+ years in HR I know the vast majority of people won't read it any way 🤣

However... I am planning on sending out 2 emails to all members. The first one will probably the week before letting people know that if you're like me and login using your username, that will no longer be an option. You will have to use the email in the system.

So please check the email address we have for you. If it is out of date you may not be able to log in

I know many people have used their work email addresses and they may no longer work there for example.

First, Select the dropdown by your username and avatar in the top right.

Then Select Account Settings

Then you can see and update your email address.

Overdue Software Updates...

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 16:13:50 +0000

I've finally completed a laundry list of software updates some of which were very over due.

For the geeks, this upgrade included:

Newer version of PHP
Conversion of the databases from MyISAM to InnoDB
Multiple security updates

So I am again allowing new registrations to the site.

Please note. This upgrade is in preparation for a new full version of the software in February. Going from 4.7.X to 5.0 in February.

I've skimmed through the change logs and the only thing which will directly impact users seems to be that members will no longer be able to log in with their username they must use their email. I will send a couple of email reminders out to all members before I launch this upgrade.

Using 2 Factor Authorization to Use the Site

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 15:59:44 +0000

Earlier this month U-E got slammed with 96 spammer accounts, and over 1000 spam messages.

This was a coordinated attack by real humans, they beat the Captcha and the little quiz I had to try and limit spammers like what color are the threads on an MLB baseball, how many sides does home plate have, and such.

I do have multiple upgrades to do for the site. One is a major upgrade that will require me bringing the site down but I'll find the time to do that in the weee hours of the morning one day.

But my question is..

I belong to another forum that requires two factor authentication at registration, every 45 days or if you log in from a different IP than your last log in. I am considering implementing something like that.

Would using two factor authentication like Duo, Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator or something similar for registration, new IP logins or every X many days (30+) deter you from using the site?

Agent Referral

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 20:46:22 +0000

I'm trying to get through to customer service and various companies. Does anyone have any hints, or maybe a "top 25 list" of how to do so?

Spammer!

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 04:52:31 +0000

Wow, that was a messy one! Thanks for reporting it! I think I got it cleaned up.

Senor Azul

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 16:04:37 +0000

Anyone know the health or wellbeing of Senor Azul? I tried to search the forums and I don't see any mention of his whereabouts.

I first started lurking this site in 2017, and his presence and dedication to rules citations were always a highlight of this community. When I think of umpire-empire, his name comes to the forefront of my mind.

I've missed his presence and it looks like his last post was may of 2024.

According to his profile he's out of the San francisco bay area and was born in '47. Did/does anyone know him personally?

Support Umpire-Empire on Patreon

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 20:41:16 +0000

I have launched a new way of supporting the site through Patreon.

I have 2 tiers available:

Crew Member
- Costs $2 per month.
- Removes the Google ads
- Get a "Crew Member" profile badge (to be designed) to show everyone you support the site
Crew Chief
- Costs $5 per month
- Removes the Google ads
- Get a "Crew Chief" profile badge (to be designed) to show everyone you support the site
- After 3 months of support receive a 3" vinyl sticker of the UE Logo

It may take a few days to remove the ads. Please either use the same email address you are registered with here or in the notes on Patreon enter your username, so I can: Identify who made the contribution.

You can support the site here: patreon.com/user?u=112779508

"AND" modifier doesn't work in search

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 16:49:04 +0000

What am I doing wrong when i search for "foul AND signal" and get results with either and not both?

Insurance

Wed, 31 May 2023 03:04:06 +0000

I am a member of the NFHS through my state organization. That being said I was told that includes insurance for officiating.

What I'm wondering is can someone clarify of the NFHS insurance is valid for summer ball in doing for a few of my luv call cities?

Said while officiating event... so is that any event? Or since I'm through my state organization, just while umpiring for the state high school games?

What would be the best most affordable option for insurance, if not covered?

Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk

Perfect Game umpire

Mon, 29 May 2023 13:38:59 +0000

Does anyone have contact information for perfect game. I have reached out a few times to someone but the messaging stopped. I’m willing to travel. Thank you

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Would love to see

Wed, 17 May 2023 15:50:54 +0000

Less Spam

Wholly cannoli Batman! its not a good day for admin here today is it?

What Pros Wear.

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 19:53:35 +0000

There is a website called, whatproswear.com, that lists what MLB players wear, gear they wear, sponsorships they have, things like that. It would be neat to have a subsection here of 'What Pros Wear' that lists specifically gear and items of Professional Umpires, then update as they change as they change gear.

I.E. Jerry Layne has started wearing a hardshell skully. Everything you find advertised as 'Umpire Skull Cap' is the All Star, or the Evo-Shield. I do believe he has a Rawlings on as far as I can tell. Then, if he changes, update his page.

Just something that I've always been interested in as they pick different gloves, shoes, masks and harnesses specifically.

It's been a while!

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 14:39:43 +0000

Been a while since I logged in...

For 2022 I probably only Umpired maybe 8-10 games. Those that know me know that I usually work 300 or so games a year..

Had some knee issues early in the year and ended up with my right knee replaced in July. Still recovering and now having some back issues...

Hopefully I can get back on the field soon. I am actually the assignor for our High School association so I am at least staying involved..

I'm looking arounf the site here to see what has changed.

Sorting

Fri, 16 Sep 2016 00:29:07 +0000

I get posts "sorted by rating," seemingly as a default. Is there a way to make "sort by date" my default setting?

What is up with all the recent locked threads?

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 02:55:31 +0000

Title asks it all.

Just wondering if we are doing something we shouldn't be. I can't say I noticed anything other than humor.

Locking of Threads

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 23:35:28 +0000

What's with the premature locking of threads? In the case of the recent "Ball 3" thread, it was locked after only 2 answers.

What's the point of this? Is it a new policy? The thread is 2 hours old, the OP isn't even given a chance to ask a follow up question, and there are only 2 answers. The thread wasn't off the rails by any stretch.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this a discussion forum? Sorry, but I'm just not understanding this move. There was nothing wrong with the post or thread to warrant locking it in this manner.

What happened?

Mon, 31 Jan 2022 02:02:43 +0000

The "mark all as read," my favorite button, seems to be gone. Please make it return.

Official Rule book

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 01:56:37 +0000

It would be good to be able to reference the the official rule book, or be able to purchase it.

Highlighted Topics

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 15:49:34 +0000

FWIW, I really appreciate the feature that shows new topics or posts as a deeper, darker blue and topics with no new activity as lighter. It allows me to quickly scan and see what might interest me. On the various forums, platforms and boards I follow, this is unique. Kudos.

No more custom statuses?

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 04:22:49 +0000

I just noticed I'm back to being an "Established Member." Has the ability to customize that field gone away?

FAQs

Thu, 22 Jul 2021 14:29:18 +0000

This is a partially facetious, partially serious suggestion: a new section, FAQs, maybe with subheadings. It might not be feasible, I understand that.

Google Search is Back

Mon, 14 Jun 2021 17:53:38 +0000

Some people liked this feature, others did not. With one of the recent software updates the tool I used for Google Search became incompatible. This has been updated and is back, but I am not making it the default search tool as some people really didn't care for it.

Notes on the Google Search:

It only searches the U-E site
It is more Powerful than the system's Search engine
You can use advanced Google Search techniques
Google is faster
IMO the systems search engine seems to be better at finding more relevant items to what I'm looking for

To access Google Custom Search:

Type your search Term in the search box in the upper right
Select more options
Then Select Google...
Then click the Search Icon

And you get your results...

Chief, the ads are TOO MUCH!!!

Mon, 07 Dec 2020 16:08:17 +0000

The aggressive pop-up ads on this site are way too much. I have blockers installed and this thing is bypassing them. I click the "x" in the corner to kill the ad, and it doesn't go anywhere. I have to hit the "back" button and reload the page, then click on the thread I wanted to see and hope I don't get the ad again.

I've switched browsers to one that has a better blocker for now, but your advertisers are always programming ways to get around those.

It has become WAY TOO DISTRACTING and frustrating to continue using this site unless something changes. I know you make your money off advertising, so there always has to be some. But the ones you have made arrangements with are overly aggressive assholes.