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Even A YelloW Slug Can Be A Classic So I took on rebuilding an old Wilson WV Gold for a colleague who was introduced and has been smitten by the new Davis DX -family of CPs. We had him using and trialing one all summer. While he was using the DX, we arrived at the conclusion that I'd update / renovate his current Gold, and this is what I took it to... Since he's a Dodgers fan (ouch), I recommended something evocative of the Dodgers. I would not be able to replace the pad vest; I don't have an industrial sewing machine. His biggest appreciation of the Davis DX (theta unit he was trialing) was how low profile it was, especially at the shoulders T-hooks are evil and vile; G-hooks are the best solution. Took the entire carapace apart by removing all rivets, splines, and metal hardware. I went further, and rendered the seams connecting the main torso vest to the shoulder pauldron pads, since you'll see that I actually reconstruct each and every CP that cheats like this with an actual connecting spline. I also rendered the seams connecting the (far too plump) pec wings. Repainted it a dark grey (road greys!), and then rebuilt it, using nylon and polypropylene webbing, with royal blue rivets. Where I used aluminum Chicago screws, these are in spots where there's a lot of stress and/or the CP may need to be (further) modified, or that part repaired/replaced. From the backside, you'll see that I completely removed and deleted the terrible shoulder pauldron pads which, because they're way too thick and oversized, make the Gold look so bulky and hulking. Instead, I made my own shoulder pauldron pads from the unused (and superfluous) pauldron flaps from Schutt-Adams XV's. Half the thickness, half the weight, and because that's actual D3O you see (the orange color), much better performing. Also, because they're articulated, they conform to the shoulder perfectly instead of just sitting atop the shoulder like the Gold's sofa-cushion foam pads did. Detail on the reconstruction of the shoulder assembly. I run a 2" wide (at least) connecting spline between the shoulder arch plate and the pauldron plate. Then, the ailette (gap protector) is secured atop that. Rivets fasten the individual plates to the connecting splines, but the splines are always connected to the shoulder arch plate with Chicago screws, both to survive any stresses, and also for potential repositioning or repair ease. Almost done. I completely removed all the hardware associated with the T-hooks, and constructed two 1-1/2" webbing loops so as to utilize G-hooks You might also notice that there are now 3 rivets at the trailing section of the shoulder arch plate, so as to secure the D-ring thru which the harness is attached. Golds and Platinums typically use only 1 rivet (each side), and these D-rings have a very bad habit of turning within their webbing. By using more than 1 rivet, this keeps the webbing flat, and the D-ring cannot turn. Improves the fit. Completed unit, with the G-hooks placed on the harness, and secured into the anchor loops.

In my experience, this is level-dependent. Might work well in games where the kids aren't shaving yet, but it'll get you the wrong reputation (unapproachable) at higher levels. Sometimes, they're just trying to get a feel for your zone, and other times they're arguing balls and strikes. It's usually easy to tell the difference. "Steve, did you have that down?" is quite different from, "Where was that?" Tone of voice will also give it away. But answering, "I have a ball" makes you sound rigid and obstinate. College coaches expect you to work with them, within limits, and stonewalling them like this will deter from having at least a civil relationship, especially beyond just that one game.

For anyone who has been waiting for a silver frame, it will be available late December/early January.

There was a "sudden death" type of extra inning in the Frontier League. The 10th inning was regular international tie breaker, the 11th, they would have a plate meeting, home team would get to pick either offense or defense. They would then start with a runner at 1st, and it was either get 3 outs or score the run, who ever did what first wins.

Now, how do I get rid of the rust, corrosion, squeaks, and pops from my knees?

I've been taught to drop step and "open the gate" for the catcher to side he goes to retrieve the ball, just like you would on a foul pop. Keep the "gate" open and hold on to the point of plate while checking the status of the ball to make sure it hasn't gotten lodged or gone out of play. If the ball ends up right or left of the side of your initial step, you can take another drop step to get square to where the catcher's throw will be coming from but otherwise hold on to the point of plate From there you should be out of the catcher's throwing lane and able to track the fielder covering the plate (most likely the pitcher). As the throw happens use whatever read steps needed to get yourself into the "wedge" and your eyes into the "window" to make the call.

Hello, everyone! Like the title says, I've been reading this forum for a while, and I finally got around to joining this week, mostly because I wanted to chime in on some of the hilarious (and often very passionate) comment threads about a certain yellow-lettered equipment brand. A little about me: I'm in my 30s and have been umpiring since I was about 14. An older umpire encouraged a curious young baseball player, who was nervous but eager to try umpiring, to give it a shot, and I was hooked from that point on. I umpired travel baseball throughout high school and started working showcase and high school ball soon after graduating. I even used umpiring as a great little job while attending college, and even encouraged others to get involved as well. I took a few years off to start a family, but the itch to get back out there has been getting stronger (once an umpire, always an umpire, amirite?). So I joined the local association this year to jump back in. I'm a little older now, and hopefully a little wiser..... (jury's still out on that), but maybe I’ll revisit that old dream of officiating at the college level. At the very least, I’m excited to be back on the field, learning and doing something I’ve loved for so many years. Mask: Davis Mirage 12 (Thanks to this forum) Pads: FM4000 Mag Pads, Tan Leather Chest Protector: Wilson Pro Platinum Shins: Gerry Davis Apex We're in the good times -Llama

Yes...again, to fully re-confirm this...I mis-spoke. AmLegion 100% has the rule on the books and 100% enforces this. As they should! ~Dawg

A game?! Buddy, I’ve been using them for the past 16 days straight, with a Plate game every day of my 2 daily games. 🫩 … annnnnd, every day has been over 80°, tipping more towards 90°. 🥵 5 more days to go! The weight, especially when equipped to the Mirage or the Trace (Davis’s rendition of the ZRO-G), makes it feel on-par with an aluminum (Wilson DynAlum, Diamond iX3) equipped with TWs or Doeskin pads. We have to remember, the Mirage frame is the lightest of the 3 cast-magnesium frames on the market. The Rampage’s standard stock pads are laughable, while the FM4K-Mag’s are substantially oversized in volume. The Davis cores are denser, and because of their laminate construction (instead of homogenous), they perform more dynamically, without “crowding your face” like the All-Stars tend to. Prior to getting the Davis cores & socks, I had equipped my Mirage and my Rampages (2 of them) with WindPacts, thereby achieving the lightest mask(s) in the business – you can’t beat air!! I also had my CanaryCage equipped with TWs, and a FM4K Mag equipped with LUC-Mags. And, by feel and feel only, I actually regarded the Canary w/ TWs as my “heaviest” mask. I wouldn’t avoid using any of the 5, but I began using the FM4K-Mag less and less, particularly because of the freer and less restricted sightlines with the Mirage (and the safety of the lengthened XCG!), and the experience of breaking out in zits and rashes due to irritation from the LUC-Mag pads. By mentioning the break-outs with the LUC-Mag pads, this is where I’ve become especially fond of the lattice-mesh padsocks. At least thru the 16 games so far, I’ve shaved twice, and haven’t had any irritation, break-outs, or stubble snags. I also have the micro-suede padsocks, and I wasn’t as much of a fan. That could be because I was never a big fan of leather, either, and I was already projecting my routine use of the padcores in warm-hot temperatures. I dare say, the Davis padsock lattice-mesh is a better feel than the Team Wendy’s technical fabric, and that’s saying a lot. Thanks for doing this. I, too, feel underwhelmed. The TW Zorbium pads are just minimally-shaped lumps. Certainly, they are much better and have more shape than the formless sausages of Wilson, but they’ve got nothing on the All-Stars and Honig’s pads… which @DerekGDS really pursued with gusto when guiding the design process on the pads we now have. That’s outstanding to hear… I really needed this to happen. This sets up three paths to progress into: Reconditioning and rejuvenating “dead” TW pads; harvesting the cores, cleansing them (properly), and encasing them in padsocks. Pushing Derek to make (more! more! more!!) padsocks in sand/tan, sky blue, navy (for you poor bastages)… digital camo(?)… carbon-fiber print(?)… Formulating a concept brief for WindPact.

Hopefully, no one takes them to the pool.

LC Ump has given you the correct advice. Biggest priorities Clear the catcher Follow the ball adjust for a play, and make sure you're out of the throwing lane.

In my experience, this is a common reaction from people who never bothered to learn the definition of 'force play'. Not knowing that definition causes problems in other areas as well, as when we rule on whether a run scores on a third out retouch appeal that players and coaches mistakenly believe is a force play. Now that you're an umpire, you're responsible for knowing the rules, their interpretations, and how to apply them judiciously. It's a long journey, and one that can profitably begin with mastering the definitions. Even where application of a particular rule might be "looser" or adjusted to local custom, the definitions are constant.

Three-batter minimum?

Most of the time, I strongly encourage new umpires to follow their comfort level on things like this. The rest of the time I have to stop allowing them to sell themselves short. Sometimes we are ready even if we think we aren't.

As a former catcher, I would disagree. My insight into pitchers' brains is that at least some, if not many, of them are indeed made of spaghetti.

Oh man

I feel like I’ve seen the inside of Stretch Armstrong

This is why I run the 2 minute off the belt timer and the 2:30 off of a stopwatch. I can pop the belt timer after the 3rd out, and pause the stopwatch when making my substance checks on the incoming pitcher.

The Douglas is a great CP, but I would not wear it without gap protection as Dawg states above. Otherwise, it's a much better CP, fit-wise, than the Cobalt. Protection is great, CP is slimming and it stands up to anything. It is nice to have the options of pad colors, trim colors, buckles or T-hooks, etc. also from such a great company in the USA. I will say without hesitation the new DX models are excellent choices and I would take them over anything else out there. I never wore the Enduro, but I helped to field test the first model and was very happy with it. I am 5-11 218 lbs for reference and wear XL shirts (46 chest), but the CP could have been a bit wider for my chest personally, so if my recommendation to widen it impacted you, then my apologies.

I've always wanted to see some sort of reduced fielders rule as a silly way to try to increase scoring in extras, the strategy of where to put 8 fielders in the 10th, 7 in the 11th, etc would be fun to observe

Good job on keeping a log book. It's the only way that I can keep track of the games that I have done and make sure that I get paid for them. You might not have evolved yet on what notes you keep, but I keep, in addition to what you mention, my partner names, 2/3/4 man, mileage for tax purposes, and age/division/conference notations. I know one umpire that keeps a diary of interesting plays per game in theirs. What else would be interesting to keep? And don't forget to log purchases (equipment, mileage, food) you made for umpiring.

I like a "Safe" and point also, the juggle sign would be good, just make a call at least!! I do a lot of Men's Rec League games, and you are creating an un-needed s&#t storm making an abandonment call . Rec league players want good calls on the important plays that can decide a game. We will turn a blind eye to bad pitching mecanics, rather than hunting for balks. We will use different strike zones from a 4 to 2 nailbiter, versus a 11-1 blowout. I like "outs" as much as everyone else, to move the games along, but don't go looking in unusual places for them. Just umpire. (3 beers and 2 whiskeys in, after Jay's lose heartbreaker, so excuse my post!)

As I mentioned in the other thread where I personally noted his style, he does it for every game every batter. And amateur or not, it helped me when I tried to emulate him.

It is, and they haven’t (and please, don’t cause my eye to twitch unmercifully by conjoining All-Star and the YelloW Slug on anything, even whimsical). Wegner (#14) and Emil Jimenez (#82) are the only Umpires to wear Force3 Defender TMs. In the past, Wegner has worn re-labeled pads (with yellow W so as to receive the payoff / “hush” money), but the ones worn for his postseason rig (which has to support a camera, transmitter, and battery pack) are, as @JSam21 notes, All-Star LUC-Mags. You can’t hide the center-split tabs… which are unused on a Defender.

I really don't enjoy it when a coach asks the plate umpire, "Where was that one?" or "Where did you have that?" or anything having to do with where the location of the previous pitch was. Whether the coach is aware of it or not (and...they are) the message they are sending is that they think the plate umpire missed a strike. I also find this more common the younger the players are. I simply do not see this at the Varsity level and above in my market. This summer at Cooperstown, we were discussing this around the campfire one night and someone simply said, "Stop...stop doing that, brother." I said, "What? Excuse me? Stop doing what?" He continued, "Stop telling them where you had the pitch..." and I looked around at our other brothers there and I followed up with, "Ok, so...what do/should we say when we asked where we had that pitch?" And without hesitating he simply smiled and said, "Tell them, 'Coach, I have a ball.' Eventually, they will figure it out and stop asking you. If they continue asking you, you tell them, 'Coach, we're not doing this.' and then issue them a ball/strike warning." Well, brothers that was several months ago and I have returned to my market and have rolled out this mechanic with great success. I typically have the above exchange once in the first inning with each team and then...I don't hear anything about it for the rest of the game. ~Dawg

Kiwi Parade gloss polish Fill and use a lighter Keep building layers and it will be gone

Say goodbye to metal rings & those stupid clips! Say sayonara to side-release buckles (SRBs) and the potential repair / replacement hassles! G-hooks. G-hooks are the answer: It does involve destroying the existing fastener (plastic SRBs are killed best with a diagonal shear / cutter; metal D-rings with a heavy-gauge wire cutter or thin-gauge bolt cutter). But as long as you leave the webbing loops intact, the G-hooks have something to secure to. They're lower profile, monstrously strong, very light, and since they're aluminum, won't corrode (rust) nor squeak.

Very sound advice. If you keep answering, they will keep asking. If the question doesn't get an answer, they won't ask the question.

Shift ban Foul tip beyond hand/glove(?) Implicit Time (e.g. ball swap) Firm batter timeout per AB limits

Oh come on... you teed it up so nicely.... ok.... I don't know.

@Aging_ArbiterThanks for the advice. I would like to do the exercises as much as I can at home, it will be fun to walk around in circles backwards in my living room 🙂 Or when I go for baseball practise, I can do a long warm-up with backwards walking. I googled it and there is quite a lot of sides that support this exercise. I will give it a try. @velho Good advise as well. I am no spring chicken anymore, but I often forget and go full throttle into it. Still play baseball as well in a team with some less than half my age. Sometimes I still behave like them and pay the price the next day. @the man in blue I would love to move to Hawaii, but unfortunately that is not so easy for a Dutchman. But we have moderate winters in Holland. So not too bad. Funny enough, when I got that initial kneepain, I put a pillow between my knees and that helpen. Even though I have no discomfort at the moment, I still sleep with that pillow everynight. I like it. Mind you, it is not as nice as yours 🙂

@orangebird First, it is awesome that you have fallen in love with the avocation! More important is that you want to learn and train to get better, and that you have goals! Some random thoughts: 33 games is pretty good for an inaugural season. Working 21 of them solo is UNACCEPTABLE. That means that you really only had 12 opportunities to learn and get good feedback. Some people will say solo games are OK because you get repetitions, but those repetitions are no good if you are ingraining bad habits. At first glance, I was going to say your base % is also unacceptable, but then the reality is that is 7 out of 12 ... which is on par. You should be 50/50, and you pretty well were. Early in my career I grabbed plates constantly, because that is where I thought I needed work (and "those" guys are always happy to give that to you). After awhile, I realized by bases were sloppy as a result. The wide variety of games that you worked is a blessing, as it allowed you to see so many more things than if you had only worked 10u baseball all summer. Yes, the constantly shifting rulesets is a challenge, but it seems as if you met that head on and used that to help you learn. Move up as fast as you are comfortable with. It's sometimes hard to leave things behind, but when you outgrow something like a local rec program, leave it behind. Do not continue to work something that is going to develop bad habits and hinder your game. If you want to give back to the program, offer to come train and work with new umpires. Good observations on the trainings that were available to you. Keep in mind, that is more than many new umpires get! HS ball may seem like it is only weekdays, but in my neck of the woods there are always double-headers and triangulars going on on Saturdays. They are a little harder to find, but once you get in, you're in. I love working triangulars (3 teams, AvB, BvC, CvA) because they are usually the rare opportunity to work 3-man mechanics. Younger levels still play travel ball during the HS season. This often puts a strain on the umpire pool (around here).

1. I would not wear one without the shoulder gap protection. With one caveat, dependent upon the level of ball you call then you may choose to forego the added cost and protection... but if you are doing hardball with teens on up, then I would strongly suggest getting the mod added. All it takes is one well-placed shot to the top of the shoulder in that gap to make you a believer and advocate of the gap protection. 2. I'll agree with the buckles versus t-hooks - or even better, using @MadMax's newest recommendation for connecting straps to CPs. The new way is ultimately the best in my opinion, but definitely a buckles over T-hooks guy myself. T-hooks can damage shirts and leave visible bumps seen through your shirt whereas a buckle under your armpit (on your side) cannot be seen and should be relatively safe from impacts there. I've found my CP gets tight enough with buckles over T-hooks, so there is no greater reason to do them anymore. The old adage was T-hooks allowed a tighter fit therefore possibly keeping you safer since your CP didn't move down on you during the game. With the new modern CP harnesses and straps, buckles are just as good, if not better, than T-hooks now.

If there is no visible clock, the umpire keeping the timer should be informing the plate umpire when there is 30 seconds remaining (40 is better), and then 15 seconds remaining. When the 30 second signal is given, and then again at 15 seconds, the plate umpire should inform the pitcher, catcher and batter with a clear verbal announcement. This puts everyone on notice equally. I've yet to see a disparity in bullpen locations that creates much of an advantage for one team over the other. A few seconds shouldn't matter. Start the 2:00 clock at at the end of the half inning, but stay alert to see if a new pitcher is entering. If there is, then restart the clock at 2:30 when they cross the warning track.

Me likey.

Last night I sat down with my daughter's seam ripper and dissected my TW pads. I started with the brow pad. It took a bit of effort to get started--the stitching was really tight and well done.IMG_4720.heic Once I got the stitch ripping started, it went pretty quickly--though the stitching where the velcro tabs are located felt more stout. Once the pad was out, it's not really anything remarkable--just black/dark gray, small cell foam. I expected a cover over the foam, but there wasn't any. Note: the areas of creasing are partly from the interior seams from the technical fabric of the TW pad, and some from the GD socks that have been covering the pads for the past few weeks.IMG_4721.heic The foam feels more coarse than memory foam, but has the compression characteristics of memory foam. Enough so that I wonder what the lineage is from memory foam to Zorbium. The cheek pad was definitely more of a challenge to get into--the double stitching was really tight.IMG_4722.heic Perseverance won out over stitching though and I soon had the cheek pad out as well--and again, no interior cover over the foam.IMG_4723.heic I tried to get a photo of just how small the cells are for the foam. First, zoomed in:IMG_4724.heic Then, macro lens, with the seam ripper for size comparison:IMG_4725.heic One final picture showing the brow pad (top) and the cheek pad (bottom): IMG_4726.heic One final note: as @MadMax and @wolfe_man suggest, the TW pads fit much better inside the GD socks without the TW technical fabric covering.

Heaven help them if they had to figure out the seedings with a tie involved. But, I guess, knowing the winner only made the plastic gumball machine ring more special!

Alright, to the best of my knowledge fall ball has ended for all rec ball in my county and because I kept a pretty detailed spreadsheet, gonna do a little stats breakdown for year one! Total games worked: 33, with 1 show-up fee for a field that got double-booked by travel and 1-show up fee where the game wasn't called for rain but the field was unplayable, but the coaches agreed to claim we got a pitch in lol so 35 "games" I got paid for Games worked solo: 21/33, 63.6% Games as a base umpire: 7/33, 21.2% Travel games worked: 10/33, 30.3% 90-foot diamond games worked: 7/33, 21.2% (this is the same as the base umpire stat but not the same exact 7 games) Softball games worked: 7/33 (a lot of sevens here!) Games worked on a high school field: 4/33 (the private Catholic school with turf was nicer than the public schools, shocker) Spoilers but for next year I'd like to very much increase the 90-foot diamond number and certainly would like the base umpire number to feel closer to 50%

I hear you. That's one of the reasons I just joined the Board. It's a good league currently but needs attention to remain that way.

I'm with you. I think this is the fertile ground to plant the seeds of proper culture. Don't take the extra base because they other team can't throw and catch at 8 because it's the right thing to do... not because there is a line on the ground the runner had to be past before the pitcher has the ball on the mound. Peer pressure can be a wonderful thing. Yes, I can be a perpetual optimist.

That's the best reason of all!

I have small children. College baseball in my market would require too much travel and being away from them for too long. This could be reassessed in about 13 years... ~Dawg

So young. Condolences to his family and friends.

How about this? I have used other JB Weld products with great success

Though coming from the other end of the level of play spectrum than @grayhawk I'm in agreement: it's situational so read the room. Just had it last week in a 14U LL Fall ball game. I know the coach. These are true development players. He asked where it missed in a good tone. I can tell he's trying to figure out what coaching cues to give F1 to find the plate. "Not hearing" the question in the first place is another tool as well.

Even A YelloW Slug Can Be A Classic So I took on rebuilding an old Wilson WV Gold for a colleague who was introduced and has been smitten by the new Davis DX -family of CPs. We had him using and trialing one all summer. While he was using the DX, we arrived at the conclusion that I'd update / renovate his current Gold, and this is what I took it to... Since he's a Dodgers fan (ouch), I recommended something evocative of the Dodgers. I would not be able to replace the pad vest; I don't have an industrial sewing machine. His biggest appreciation of the Davis DX (theta unit he was trialing) was how low profile it was, especially at the shoulders T-hooks are evil and vile; G-hooks are the best solution. Took the entire carapace apart by removing all rivets, splines, and metal hardware. I went further, and rendered the seams connecting the main torso vest to the shoulder pauldron pads, since you'll see that I actually reconstruct each and every CP that cheats like this with an actual connecting spline. I also rendered the seams connecting the (far too plump) pec wings. Repainted it a dark grey (road greys!), and then rebuilt it, using nylon and polypropylene webbing, with royal blue rivets. Where I used aluminum Chicago screws, these are in spots where there's a lot of stress and/or the CP may need to be (further) modified, or that part repaired/replaced. From the backside, you'll see that I completely removed and deleted the terrible shoulder pauldron pads which, because they're way too thick and oversized, make the Gold look so bulky and hulking. Instead, I made my own shoulder pauldron pads from the unused (and superfluous) pauldron flaps from Schutt-Adams XV's. Half the thickness, half the weight, and because that's actual D3O you see (the orange color), much better performing. Also, because they're articulated, they conform to the shoulder perfectly instead of just sitting atop the shoulder like the Gold's sofa-cushion foam pads did. Detail on the reconstruction of the shoulder assembly. I run a 2" wide (at least) connecting spline between the shoulder arch plate and the pauldron plate. Then, the ailette (gap protector) is secured atop that. Rivets fasten the individual plates to the connecting splines, but the splines are always connected to the shoulder arch plate with Chicago screws, both to survive any stresses, and also for potential repositioning or repair ease. Almost done. I completely removed all the hardware associated with the T-hooks, and constructed two 1-1/2" webbing loops so as to utilize G-hooks You might also notice that there are now 3 rivets at the trailing section of the shoulder arch plate, so as to secure the D-ring thru which the harness is attached. Golds and Platinums typically use only 1 rivet (each side), and these D-rings have a very bad habit of turning within their webbing. By using more than 1 rivet, this keeps the webbing flat, and the D-ring cannot turn. Improves the fit. Completed unit, with the G-hooks placed on the harness, and secured into the anchor loops.

Having had knee pain most of my adult life (even predating an MCL strain, unrepaired ACL, and recent meniscus and cartilage removal surgery) I love you are thinking this way. Getting stronger is the long term answer (arthritis aside - I somehow have escaped that one). A good PT is a great place to start. A good one, in my non credentialed opinion, is one that will focus on progressive strength training (vs primarily focused on constant and endless stretching). I have seen a few different PTs and gotten materials from across the interwebs to formulate what I think is right for me. It's worked well enough that my post surgery PT and Dr appointments were 5 minutes - I was beyond the (low) bar of measurement they use to "return to normal activities". My daily routine to build my strength back up is lunges, RDLs (not a fan of straight deadlifts at 40+), box touchdowns, and calf raises. I'm slowly ramping up from body weight to added weight before resuming gym weightlifting (leg extensions, ham curls, squats, leg press, bulgarian squats, etc.) Again, that's what's worked for me but my universal advice is to find what works for you, go slow, and drop all ego to focus on good form. Good luck.