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Long story short, I had thought I was done umpiring forever - until today. My doctor said I should be able (he expects me) to return to normal within a year. This means, I should be able to umpire again by next Spring if not sooner. He made my day. I can barely walk right now due to balance issues and will have had two surgeries on my spine, with a possible third to come in the future. The doc said I got dealt a bad spine genetic at birth, so I'm his medical experiment for the next several years, but he expects me to be back to normal by next year if not sooner. He said think you're a baseball player with a blown knee, this year isn't happening, but you should be back next year if all goes well!

I can't comment on the specifics yet but I will say you can expect HDPE distribution plates (top and bottom) and a 3-layer laminate foam stack.

As I've shared before, in the realm of umpire gear, the traditional mask has reached an evolutionary fork-in-the-road, or intersection. There are three options: Geometric protection; the 3-dimensional shape of the mask is the primary factor as to its successful deflection, redirection, or mitigation of the impacting energy. This is an offshoot of Option 2, the Structural nature of the protection, because these geometries can only be achieved by advanced welding or 3D-rendered and molded shapes. Structural (incl. Metallurgical) protection; the physical properties of the materials used – the metals** of the frame combined with the pads – are integral to the successful absorption and mitigation of the impacting energy. This option has plateaued several times in the last century, each time experiencing a gradual albeit agonizingly slow improvement with advances made in the metals of the frame, the welding properties of those metals (and alloys), and the improvements of the pads and materials that comprise them. Mechanical protection; assembled mechanical (ie. moving) systems are integrated into the mask to actively reduce, retard, rebound and absorb the impacting energy. This, too, is an offshoot of Option 2, since the only way to make these systems lightweight enough to warrant inclusion on the mask is their welds have to be incredibly strong relative to the alloys used in constructing them. The best embodiment of Option 1 is the All-Star FM4K Mag, whereas the best (and right now, only) embodiment of Option 3 is the Force3 Defender V2-3. Option 2 had pretty much plateaued once again... ... until now. This is the brand-new GerryDavis Mirage12: It opens the door on becoming the best mask for Option 2; and, once the pads are completed for it, it'll kick the door down and off its hinges. First, it is molded magnesium (alloy), just like the Rampage and the FM4KMag. Like the Rampage, there are no welds to pop or increase weight; indeed, the Rampage weighs in at ≈ 15.2 oz. Because All-Star put an emphasis on a radically angular and sloping geometry for the upper half of the FM4K, the mold had to be done in 2 pieces, with steel inserts welded together. As such, the FM4K weighs in at 16.2 oz. By paying careful attention to the geometry and the layout, @DerekGDS managed to bring the Mirage in at 11.71 oz. The bars are still flat, but they're not as broad as the FM4KMag or the Rampage. This took a lot of work, and dozens of resin prototypes to accomplish. The sightlines are on-par with a hollow-steel or I-Bar (think: All-Star or UnderArmour) mask, with a titanium only being marginally thinner. The real characteristic is the significantly reduced chance of breaking (no welds to pop) and the virtually eliminated chance of bending. That has always been the Achilles heel of titanium masks, relative to how expensive they are – they will bend before they break, and in order to rectify them, you have to apply the same amount of force that created the bend. Ya just can't "tap it out", like you can with steel. Indeed, Wilson embarked upon a smear campaign against titanium between 2013-2016. They were getting so many titanium masks bent and returned for exchange or refund, they were losing money (on them), and convinced (or implored) the PTB and POI in the Umpire community to label titanium masks as "dangerous". The vaunted Nike "Icon" titanium never experienced this revenue drain on Wilson, burdening their customer relations, because Nike never sold the mask in North America; they supplied it. The masks were a "branding & marketing" line-item write-off, supplied to MLB personalities and catchers of endorsed-by-Nike college programs. Titanium masks are, in and of themselves, not dangerous to any wearer or user... other to their wallet, because of the expense on purchasing it, repairing it when it bends, or replacing it when no longer able to repair it. During this time (circa 2009), All-Star embarked on a radical new design campaign, using new geometries afforded them by CAD/CAM design, testing, and shaped-hollow-tube construction. This was the System 7, manifested into the MVP2500 and MVP4000 -series HSMs and the FM1000 (design exercise), FM2000 ( @Thunderheads remembers this one, dontcha Jeff?!), and FM4000. While the FM2000 was intended primarily for umpires, the FM4000 was earmarked for catchers. All-Star was achieving masks that were remarkably strong, resilient to bending, and substantially lightweight all due to geometry, metallurgy (shaped hollow tube steel), and layout. However, due to All-Star's primary relationship to catchers, their products – with the exception of the CPU4000 AKA The 4TanK! – were configured and stylized for a catcher's needs more than an umpire's. Their shinguards, for example, are "umpire lite versions" of their catchers' shinguards. Their hardhats / skullcaps (a whole 'nother topic sometime soon) are configured to be worn brim-back (ie. backwards), instead of brim-forward as umpires do. And, their masks had smaller, less obtrusive Extended Chin Guards (XCG, henceforth) so as to allow catchers ahem... to tuck their chins to their chests easier and safer... an action that umpires are disciplined not to do! These features – driven for catchers – were paralleled by the Nike "Icon" Titanium (and its hollow-steel sibling). Introduced in 2004-5 for Jorge Posada specifically, the Nike Icon featured wispy-thin titanium single-wire layout, angled ear guards, and an elegant XCG that would completely eclipse the need for a dangling throat guard (TG, henceforth). As the "face" of MLB catchers, especially on the Yankees, Posada had a very marketable tendency to prop his mask atop his head, like a knight lifting the visor on his helmet. This was utterly complicated by having a DTG, so the first variants of the Nike Icon eliminated that need. Of course, at that time, most (nearly all) youth catchers masks were devoid of XCGs at all, since DTGs were the only viable solution. Most professional catcher's masks – the All-Star FM11 and Rawlings PWMX, most notably – had a short, square CG so as to mount a DTG (if chosen) further down so it wouldn't jam into and under a catcher's CP. Beginning around 2011-12, the Nike Icon's XCG was shortened, due to feedback from catchers who reported the prolonged length was impeding their dropping of their chin effectively. Again, this was based on catchers' feedback; and, rightly so, Nike made those modifications. Gerry Davis has significant relevance to the shifts that occurred in this industry. In approximately 2007, Gerry shared a radical new planform with a company named Diamond. This planform had single-bar construction – in keeping with the Nike Icons and "new" Wilson DynaLite (which was "improved" from its double-bar ancestor just after the Icon debuted as a single-bar catcher's mask) – a squared, chisel-bottom XCG (to wear without DTGs or to host DTGs easily), good-sized strut-less ear guards, and, evocative of Mizuno and SSK masks of Japan were including, an extended crown guard to protect the button on the top of the umpire's head. Furthermore, Diamond constructed it in aircraft-quality aluminum alloy, which resulted in a very clean, lightweight mask that wouldn't bend (or, at least be much less prone to bending), and wouldn't rust. Diamond debuted the mask in late-2008, alongside a catcher's version (also in aluminum, but with double-bar eye port and a rounded XCG instead of squared), and an entire suite of gear named the iX3 -series. It was downright award-winning. The catcher's version never took off, mostly due to aluminum's propensity to shear before bending, exacerbated by the frequency by which a catcher's mask hits the ground, or is thrown about, or hurled or crushed into a gear bag, or otherwise abused. Umpire's masks do not do this; in fact, an umpire's mask should not touch the ground! The umpire's version, though, was a smashing success. Marketed as the DFM-UMP, it went on to become the most popular mask amongst MiLB Umpires, propelled by its light weight, its resistance to bending, and... most importantly... its $65 price tag. Well, as you'd know it, Wilson took notice and exception to this, since they're the "Exclusive Supplier to Major League Baseball Umpires". So, in short order, an aluminum version of the DynaLite was debuted (nicknamed by us here at U-E the DynAlum). It was quite impressive – looked just like a standard ChroMoly DynaLite, but in solid aluminum, so it was light(er)weight and much less prone to bend. However, not everything was roses, because it was priced at a staggering $110-$130! And, within a week, guess what happened? The price on the Diamond iX3 went up by $20 to $85-$89. Virtually overnight. A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats... and all that. Remember what I said about plateauing? In 2009, Jason Klein experienced a ripper of a concussion, and was forced to retire from professional umpiring. He, too, realized that mask technology hadn't progressed much, if at all, in nearly 100 years. So, embarking on five years of development work, and finally putting it all together to debut the Force3 Defender mask. It is a mechanical solution, and represented the first paradigm shift in such a long time, the Defender was enshrined in Cooperstown. Klein lamented that although the masks got lighter with titanium and aluminum, they got no more protective. He's right, to a point. It's not the mask frame that needs to improve. It's the mask pads... ... and Wilson doesn't want anything to change from their annual revenue stream of coerced renewal of purchasing cheap foam sausages. I can assure you, the pads topic is being addressed. In lieu of that, though, the introduction of magnesium as a mask frame material by All-Star was in direct response to the increased weight of the Force3 brought to market, and to once and for all put the titanium in the rear view mirror, with the durability to withstand bending and (nearly all) breaking. One of the things that dissuades more widespread use of the FM4K Magnesium is its radical, unorthodox appearance. However, the Davis Mirage12 can trace its lineage back to the iconic masks of the past, but optimized for us, for the first time in a long time. ** - Or Fiber-resin (not fiberglass, nor carbon-fiber), as was what comprised the (in)famous +POS SUL100 / SUL200.

Greetings brothers, Well, I have just completed one of my favorite nights of the umpiring season! Ah yes...the night I sort through the gear and uniforms and pack it all in the car for another 8 months of umpiring. Every year brings something a little different it seems...for 2025, I am actually beginning my season with a game, a scrimmage, another game, 3 scrimmages and then it's all games after that. Good thing I spent some time in the cage over the past month. Brothers, I wish you one and all, near and far that you all have your best seasons ever. And a special shout out to those here on U-E, those locally and those across the global blue brotherhood who have announced their retirements. You have laid down your burden of The Craft for the last time. We will hoist it high in the hopes that it shines as bright as ever. You are not forgotten. We carry you with us and all that you have taught us for tomorrow...we RIDE! ~Dawg

It is an umpire site. Timing, timing, timing.

Good Lord, no. Throw that thing away. The only thing worthy in that document is asking about "legally and properly equipped." This type of instruction from whomever gave it to you is one of the reasons why bad habits get propagated. A good plate meeting is short and sweet. 2-3 minutes tops, and that may be too long. 1. Introductions. 2. Line ups. 3. Ask if players are properly equipped. 4. Ground rules. 5. Any thing else special such as time limits, etc. 6. Done. Don't ask if they have any questions. And don't ask your base umpire(s) if they have anything to add. It's your meeting, run it. A good plate meeting sets the tone for the game. When I'm a base umpire, or when I was coaching, I would just cringe at some of the long winded diatribes I was subject to. Who the Hell taught these blowhards that a lecture of over 5 minutes is a good way to start a game. Here's what many people fail to realize. Coaches aren't listening. They want to get the game going, they are still strategizing about the game. They don't want to hear a monologue about what they should or should not do. JMO

I might as well keep it secret half the time. I'll give a 2-1 count, call a strike, and the coach will ask me what the count is. "Sir, I am impressed you got this far in life without being able to count by ones."

The coach never coaching again (and zero tolerance as an attending fan if not banned for that as well), is the necessary first step. I've made that happen in the past. If the Board won't do that, every umpire should boycott the league until it happens and, eventually, the district umps should join in. Have fun doing All Stars without umpires. I could go on since this angers me so much but I'll stop.

I recently bought 2 sets of pants. 2 base and 2 plate. I took them to the tailor and only tried one set on for hemming. It turns out that somehow a size 38” was in the 34” package. I discovered this at the game. I emailed UA on Saturday night. Courtney replied Sunday morning to say they were shipping a new pair and to donate the other pair of pants. Found a first year guy that can use them. This is why they are the best. Thanks UA.

With my left hand on the bible and my right palm in the air, I swear this is true: Batter hits a home run. As he is jogging toward the plate someone tosses him a basketball from the third base dugout. As he crosses home plate, a teammate is there holding a basket. The home run hitter then dunks the ball into the basket. My first reaction? NOBODY can make this stuff up. But there it is. And, I guess we can all agree this is what the NFHS is talking about when it is talking about props.

If only we had a triple first base, this wouldn't happen.

The hope is early May, but it’s about 50/50 the production will line up with when the next container sails. 🤞

So,,, a timer would improve the game in two different ways?

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

@Rock Bottom Derek is correct. I have been using the ASMAG pads on the GD frame and absolutely love it.

Factory treated before sewing but we are looking at alternative treatments for the future production runs but the sun will always win out one way or another.

Does she show up also wearing a blue polo with red and white stripes much like people would wear a team jersey to show support lol

True story: when my wife is at games (usually when I'm either working the game, or working a different game), parents of other players will ask my wife about certain calls. Because apparently being married to an umpire is exactly like being an umpire.

This is my current Mizuno umpire and training inventory. My umpire friends call me Brazuno. They say admitting you have a problem is the first step.

The interference happens the moment F3 touches the ball. That kills the play, so the catch never happens. Runner is out. What we need to determine after the interference is the status of the ball. If F3 touches the ball over fair territory, the runner is out, the batter goes to 1B. If R1 interferes, and the ball falls untouched and rolls foul, or if F3 first touches it over foul territory, R1 is out, batter returns to bat with a foul ball added to the count.

What no Navy shirts?

Not in my specific example. You know why? Because college football players don't spike the ball! They KNOW what will happen when they do. This is why baseball is, BY FAR, the most difficult sport to manage. We don't have a 15 yard penalty, a technical foul, or a penalty box to enforce sportsmanship. All we have are warnings and ejections. Other sports have traffic tickets and all we have is the death penalty.

They posted these on Facebook a long time ago! Thought this was so cool.

@wolfe_man buys GD mask @wolfe_man immediately puts GD mask up for sale on U-E as a pre-season equipment sale Sorry--I had to.

I will mirror what was said. They’re good, they aren’t Force3 good (both in profile and appearance) but they’re also not priced like Force3. (Then again, a lot of deals on them now) As I try not to be biased I think Force3 is still king here. We’ll see what we release in the next 12-24 months.

If you're looking to upgrade your jacket game...I'd recommend checking out this jacket from Gerry Davis: https://gerrydavis.com/products/davis-bfx-soft-shell-jacket This jacket is for cold to cool games. The website says for games between 50-70 degree games. While I would agree with that, with proper layering you could potentially sneak down into the 40s with this due to its ability to repel the wind. The pockets are deep and could easily keep a handwarmer in each pocket for those days where you need just a little more to stay warm. I'm wearing an XL and it's sized right with or without layering so you should be able to order your normal size. While I think you could wear this on the plate, I plan to wear this for my base games. If you're looking for a new jacket for those chilly spring or fall games, I'd recommend checking this one out.

Not at 60'. PU takes all catch/no catch. In your sitch, P has catch/no catch; they should position to see the catch and line up the tag of R3 BU should bust into the working area; line up the catch and tags of R2/R1 best they can. I would get R2 in line of sight and snap my head over, assuming R1 could get a step off before I could get eyes on them and still have legally tagged.

I. Ant tell you how many times an inning has ended and I’m jogging back to my between innings spot on short RF, only to get there, turn around and see the handshake line forming. Not a big deal. I rarely know the score or inning if there’s no scoreboard.

1. Since you're working on a small field (12 year olds and under), just remember the LL mechanic: if the ball stays in the infield, stay outside the infield. If the ball goes out of the infield, come in. On a triple, you'll come in to the infield, pivot and ensure the runner touches all the bases. You can run straight across the infield to cut the angle. 2. Just call it like you see it. OBS is OBS. The biggest difference is the strike zone. 3. Pre-game communication is imperative. Text your partner today to determine where and when you'll meet. I typically show an hour early to games, but some guys don't show until 30 minutes prior. I would definitely recommend meeting an hour prior to make sure you're both on the same page. 4. Remember your timing. There's no rush to make a call. A runner will be out or safe immediately after the play, or 10 minutes after the play. Even if you think you're slow--you're probably still too fast. Timing is especially important in the first innings of this game, your first. You'll feel the nerves, but don't let the nerves make you go too fast. Lastly, we were all at some point or another where you are tonight. Even Joe West at some point was anticipating his first game ever as an amateur umpire (he umpired high school games while he was in college). Enjoy the ride!

This is honestly one of the most perplexing plays I've ever seen. This appears to be a safety squeeze, but with the pitch coming inside, and the batter able to get the bunt down on the 1B side, it puts him behind the play rather than in front of it. In most cases, the batter would be out of the box well ahead of the catcher on a bunt. We also have a catcher that is positioning himself for the play at the plate without regard for the batter-runner. Does the BR intentionally initiate the contact with F2? I don't think so. It happens in a very tight space, he initially slips, which causes his head to come down and by the time he raises his head, F2 is right there. Usually, when we have ball, bag, runner and fielder, there is a play being made on that runner, but not in this case. Also, the ball seems to arrive in time for a play on R3 at the plate. So much going on! In the end, I have F2 obstructing the BR's path to 1B. The contact (hinderance) happens before F1 even fields the ball, so F2 cannot impede the BR's progress towards 1B. Obstruction on F2 before he reaches 1B. Immediate dead ball. BR to 1B. R1 to 2B, and I'm bringing R3 back to 3B as it's not clear to me that he would have reached home if not for the obstruction.

Less than zero tolerance. You want to further reduce the workforce of umpires, let this behavior go unchecked. Outright ban to start. No entry to any LL sanctioned event in any capacity. Depending on how young those umps are (ie. if they are minors) this could be misdemeanor harassment, or even assault, depending on what was yelled. This is not only an act of having those umpires' backs, and protecting all umpires, it's also being proactive. Those umpires may decide to defend themselves if they encounter this asshat again...or, those umpires' fathers.

The wifi signal needs to focus on angle over distance

There's timing, and then there's the point where you forgot to make a call.

MadMax is overloading the servers with his essays about the types of metal used in masks (Yeah it's been slow for me too)

At least it's not in the vicinity of your bag.

I used "normal" glasses for years. If they're fitted right, and not sliding off your head under normal wear, they should be fine "as is" under a mask. Practice. Put on your hat, glasses, mask and practice taking it off. If the glasses are sliding, get a strap. If you decide on "umpire" glasses. Oakley Flak 2.0 XL are my recommendation. Not only the look, but the optics in the Oakley lenses are second to none. Lens options are endless. Clear, Prizm sun,Polarized sun, transitions. Whatever you choose, an anti reflective coating is a must IMO. I love the Flak 2.0, and, for higher level ball, the look gives off a better impression than "Blind umpire needs glasses"

I'll admit that is how I learned my plate meeting material. I made a card and carried it. I was not ashamed to use it. Sure, it may show you are new, but it shows you are conscious about doing a good job. I don't see any issue with continuing to carry it on the bases. It's better to to review something in the moment than try to remember later. Another tip that I picked up from the great group here: keep a post-game journal. When you have something weird or unfamiliar, write it down so you can do the research and look it up (or come here to ask) later. When you have something good or something you were proud of getting right, document that as well!

A few times over 15 years while on the bases for bladder relief. Being on the plate, and having to exit for a more severe restroom break has always been a recurring nightmare. Some people have recurring dreams of running away from something and not moving.... Not me 😆

It’s not. It is actually hollow steel. It’s not a bad mask at all, once you burn away the 2 🤬pounds of vinyl dip on it!!! Would it kill ya to do a good paint job, ya yelloW slug? 🐌 <gasp!> Did I omit it?! Oops! Corrected!

yep. My mistake. Call it when the interference happens. Kill it when the fair foul status is determined.

Here's a bit of a longer look at the play. With the benefit of replay, it sure looks & feels like obstruction.

Here is my review of the Gerry Davis D30 Enduro. No umpires were harmed in the making of this video. @DerekGDS had nothing to do with this....... https://youtu.be/kFZvw5wRon8?si=BNwKCuKZz3mn57hA

I agree. The rule aims to protect middle infielders from runners, but not from themselves. If they position themselves in front of the base, they're in the flight path. A legal slide that contacts a fielder in front of the base is nothing. The case play confuses its own point with "slides late." That might not be an illegal slide (conforms to that part of FPSR) but could yet be INT. I gather the point of the case is to illustrate a situation where contact by a sliding runner is NOT a FPSR violation—it might have been clearer to describe an ordinary legal slide that contacts F4 in front of the base, rather than something that might be (otherwise) illegal.

I'll stick with my answer. If he hasn't gotten to the point where he's legally sliding and contact happens in front of the base, it's a violation

There's literally no access to the colored bag. BR obviously slows to avoid trucking the fielder and injuring himself ot the rielder. I've got obstruction all day, no matter how many bases are out there...He's blocking them all. And as far as the double base goes, the throw certainly did not pull him into foul ball territory so the that's off the table as well.

I liked that you used the term “placed”. It’s a good mnemonic device to remember how to administer a play like this. Penalty = Placed. Awarded = Advanced. So on calls of INT like this, the offense cannot benefit, and is being penalized. So, Runner(s) are placed (instead of awarded). You’ve now read how your play would be administered; lets look at a similar one wherein a Runner has to be placed in advance of where he was TOP, because we have to place the Batter-Runner somewhere (1B). We have R1-R3. Inattentive R3 is much, much too close to the 3BL, and as he reacts to avoid an absolute smash grounder hugging the line in fair territory, the batted ball hits him. “Time!” should be the announcement of the PU, and conjoin that with a Fair signal; announce, “That’s Interference! The ball was Fair when it touched the Runner! He’s (or “You’re”, if pointing at and addressing the Runner) Out!” Then, begin placing the Runners. BR is placed at 1B, and R1, while he wouldn’t / shouldn’t otherwise benefit from INT, is placed at 2B because he is forced by the BR obtaining 1B. That’s where the force is factored in.

So, you want to keep your best 28 players and send your worst 8 players to another league - nice! Find another Coach.

I'm answering for working inside on games where leading off is allowed. You are in C because there could be a pickoff attempt at third, and calling that from B is sketchy at best. Yes, the most likely play is the putout attempt at first (not a force, but that's for another day), and while you start off in C, you should have plenty of time to move within the working area to gain distance for your call at first base.

That is excellent news! As someone that was in a similar situation as you, I can tell you that getting back on the field was such a great feeling. Best of luck to you and for your recovery. You can only control your attitude and your effort, so kick ass on those and you'll be back!