ShotKaller

Force3 V2.....I just love it. Used it for four games now. I had been primarily wearing WV Platinum CP for last four seasons. Pros:Force 3 is definitely heavier than WV....... until you put it on. There is something about the way the harness distributes the weight of the Force3 that makes it seem so light and comfortable to wear. Range of motion is amazing compared to my old vest. Protection is unbeatable. On direct hits it disperses the impact amazingly well considering how thin it is. The way you can adjust EVERYTHING is probably the single best feature. The wings, shoulders, belly pad, sternum pad, upper harness, lower harness (with long straps BTW), all completely adjustable and removable. The inner material on the CP is really nice, hugs the body without sliding around, and air flow was still surprisingly good. As mentioned in earlier post, neck is cut so you can remove sternum pad and wear it a couple inches higher and get full protection, with out rubbing, for all the wide necks, and wear it lower with sternum pad adjusted higher and get full protction for the pencil necks. Very cool design. Cons: Yes there are a couple IMO. First, the thing smells like sh%t for..... well...... at least the first four games. Its not a deal breaker by any means, but it is an overpowering "new CP smell" that gets to me a little after I crouch about the 50th a time in a game. Just sayin'. Second, you cannot buckle the harness with one hand, and WITHOUT the belly pad it is a little awkward buckling the second buckle, and WITH the belly pad on I looked like a monkey f%$&ing a football trying to get it buckled. Again, just sayin'. Third, I have to buy new shirts! The thing is so thin my TOC and Smitty shirts are to baggy now. (Maybe this should be in the Pros section but its a con because it adds to the price). Which brings me to my final shot... the price. Yes I paid it, and yes I would pay it again since getting it, but damn... almost double what the current most popular CP is going for? The product is without a doubt quality, and I am sure the margins are justifiable, it just sucks because it prices a lot of guys right out of it. On the other hand, quality gear and divorce are really only expensive for one reason.................. because it's worth it.

If you can't tell the difference between your heather and your charcoal it's probably time for new charcoal. I only say this because all Smitty brand pants I own start as Charcoal for two years, then they become my Heather for two years, and then, almost overnight, turn a shade of purple that no self respecting umpire should be wearing. A tip I picked up from a veteran many years ago is that if you can easily see a difference in the front thigh area of the pants, and the area of the waist that your belt covers, it is time for new pants.

I just got this jacket a couple weeks ago. I like it better than the majestic. I agree that the material is a little more substantial in this Smitty version. It is unlined, and vented, making it perfect to wear over anything that keeps you warm on the bases, or just over an undershirt, and still look crisp and sharp. When I first got it I was a little concerned because straight out of the package it looked (and felt) like a tarp. I dropped it off with my alterations/dry cleaner guy to apply patches and shorten the sleeves a little for me. When I picked it up he said he steamed it for me too. This thing looked really good without a wrinkle or crease in it. The best part is it stays that way from one game to the next, no wrinkles except where I tuck it in to my pants (and yes, you really should tuck it in). I really fell in love with this thing when some rain came in last weekend. It sheds the water off nicely.

The Rule set will be an important factor here. If it is ASA rules the "Look Back Rule" would be the reason the runner can steal second. If R1 took a lead on the pitch, and never retouched first, when the pitcher receives the ball from the catcher, while in the circle, the runner MUST immediately return to her base or advance to next base with the liability to be put out. Technically the ball is live until she makes contact with the rubber. It becomes live again when the pitcher releases the ball.

According to Fed and ASA rules once a ball leaves live ball territory all runners are permitted to finish their base running responsibilities and ALL BASE AWARDS MUST BE MADE before a dead ball appeal. So this means, that done correctly, the PU should put her on first to demonstrate that this was the last base legally OCCUPIED, and then award the runner third for the throw into the dug-out. So even if PU doesn't move her back to first base, he must explain why he is leaving her at third, and she COULD then go back and touch first since she is permitted to finish her base running responsibilities before a dead ball appeal. I have seen this happen where PU awards the runner home because he did not see the runner leave early, but killed the ball on the over throw and made the base award. The defensive coach then made a verbal dead ball appeal on the runner that was just awarded home for leaving early from first base and BU called her out. I am not sure if this would hold up under protest, but I have always been curious.

While I hate the idea of a runner becoming liable to be put out based on something I said, this is one of those situations where some may think we should umpire a problem that should be coached. I just see it as a learning experience for everyone involved. This is very similar to R1 stealing second on a 3-2 count, catcher throws down to F6 as PU balls the pitch, BU calls R1 out and the runner steps off the bag toward the dug-out and F6 tags him again, so now he is really out. Should he get a do-over?

I tried the powder once. A couple hours later a bisquick pancake fell out of my pant leg. I use the friction stick on those hot days during tournament play, and save the spray powder for my feet.

​WTF? This is twice now you have offered an insult, and nothing of substance @JaxRolo. If I wanted to sit around and talk SH*# I would go on twitter. It's more helpful to hear why you were right, than to hear how I was wrong. How do you validate a catch on a put out?

In the BR 2015 Rule book 7.06 (b) NOTE:The catcher, without the ball in his possession, has no right to block the pathway of the runner attempting to score. The baseline belongs to the runner and the catcher should be there only when fielding a ball or when he already has the ball in his hand. It appears you had good old fashioned obstruction.

Did you come to this conclusion on your own? Read with me son: ​Rule 2.00 (Catch): A CATCH is the act of a fielder in getting secure possession in his hand or glove of a ball in flight and firmly holding it; providing he does not use his cap, protector, pocket or any other part of his uniform in getting possession. It is not a catch, however, if simultaneously or immediately following his contact with the ball, he collides with a player, or with a wall, or if he falls down, and as a result of such collision or falling, drops the ball. It is not a catch if a fielder touches a fly ball which then hits a member of the offensive team or an umpire and then is caught by another defensive player. If the fielder has made the catch and drops the ball while in the act of making a throw following the catch, the ball shall be adjudged to have been caught. In establishing the validity of the catch, the fielder shall hold the ball long enough to prove that he has complete control of the ball and that his release of the ball is voluntary and intentional.

​Great advice. Quality contribution.

In response: ​I don't ever verbalize "no catch" on DTS. Blame it on my training, or personal preference, but it is a choice. IMO it is the same as non-verbal on a "fair ball". The only two people on the field that could get a better look than me are F2 and the BR. BR should be moving if he was watching the pitch. The signal is for the infielders, and my partner(s) so they can react to my ruling on the play. The only verbal in this situation would be if it WAS a catch and the batter started running down to first with runners on base. Now you will get the strike call, and a loud, "That's a catch, batter is out!" to ensure F2 doesn't throw the ball away unnecessarily. Question: So you are saying the batter is automatically out for interference by remaining in the box and R3 is returned to third? I think you better get your crew together on that ruling. The batter is not subject to a penalty for simply occupying the box. He is only subject to penalty if being there interferes with a play on R3. He can just as easily be called out for interference for stepping out of the box into F2's throw or into F2 making a tag, even if it is unintentional. To be clear, my statement says the batter is entitled to remain in the box because the question mentioned the batter being in the box as though it had an automatic penalty associated with it. At no time did I mean to imply the batters box was "safe haven" as so many of our "helpers" in the stands often cry out. In any case he IS entitled to stay in the box if he so chooses. While he is more likely to be called out for interference by staying there, he is not any less liable for interference if he is one step, or twenty steps, out of the box. I'm thinking the word "entitlement" may be putting us at odds here, but I wanted to be clear. A runner is also "entitled" to run from first base to right field make a figure eight and then proceed to second. He may be called out for many reasons, but he is still entitled to do so. Regarding this: My apologies. I swear to do my next 10 plate games without insoles as penance for this fatal oversight.

I only know of two umpires that have never done a strike two punch-out. They both lie about lots of other SH*# too.

Before I pick this apart it would appear that it was handled correctly based on the information provided...... As far as the rules go. EXCEPT, I can't remember the last time I saw a little league or Cal Ripken 9U game where base runners could lead off before the pitch reached home plate. My hat goes off to the coach rolling the "squeeze" on 1-2 with 2 outs with 9 year olds. The umpire mechanics on the other hand could have been better: 1. Umpire should have immediately signaled strike and also verbalized "strike" if it was not a swinging strike. 2. An immediate safe signal (no verbal) would be the correct mechanic for the dropped pitch. 3. Batter is entitled to stand in the box on the play unless interference, in the umpires judgement, occurred. 4. If R3 reaches home safely, and the catcher makes a play on the runner after recovering the ball, runner should be signaled/called safe. 5. When the first baseman receives the ball, and demonstrates control by a voluntary release, the batter-runner should be declared out ( signal and verbal ). 6. PU should immediately announce "This run does not score!" This is because the out at first is a force out, and the batter-runner MUST reach first base safely (when there are already two outs) in order for any run(s) to score on the play.

I like the subdued flag with gray trim on all black shirts and jackets. Shirts on the sleeve, Jackets on the back in the middle below the collar line. Red, white and blue with white trim on all others.