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Courtesy of everyone's favorite gear hound and all around great influence here @MadMax, @Richvee and I had the chance to meet up with @cgroom and his crew before last night's Frontier League game here in NJ. The guys could not have been nicer and we had a great conversation about a whole bunch of things . Their work on the field was a joy to watch as it was a demonstration of how the three man system is actually supposed to work. There may have been one slip up, but nothing like I have seen recently, like when I as PU had to cover 2B because U1 was acting like a ticket holder as the BR was steaming around 1B as the ball and U3 (that being Richvee) were in left field. Many thanks to both Max and Caleb for putting us in contact with each other and hopefully we will be able to see them or anyone else on this forum if they come through Northern NJ for their assignents

If I'm getting my plate brush out, unless there are no runners on, I will call time 100% of the time. As soon as I grab my plate brush, and start walking out in front of home plate, I'll throw my hands up and call time. It takes no extra time to do this, and prevents any possible shenanigans. I can't understand why we even have people against calling time in this situation. It does no harm what-so-ever, and can prevent a SH*#storm. I'm not opposed to someone not calling time, I'm just opposed to those saying you should not ever call time to brush off the plate.

Like it says, I am just getting started in SE Michigan. My youngest daughter is starting her HS year, and just committed to play Softball in college. As I saw our time on the field starting to go away, I wanted to find a way to give back, so I thought I would give this a try. I got lucky and have a good friend who has been doing this for a while, and has offered to mentor me! I also found out about Battlefields to Ballfields from this forum, I was accepted this week, and placed the order for all of my gear today. If you are a Vet, definitely check this resource out (I served 23 years in the Army before retiring). The plan is to do some LL games this fall to get my feet wet, and my mentor said he could get me on a crew with him for some fall tournaments, so that will be nice. Hopefully by spring I will be ready for HS ball. Anyway, looks like a great forum, and I have a lot to learn!!

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

Except the bedlam part.

Assuming the SB rule is the same as the BB rule: 1) This isn't "tangle / untangle" -- that can only happen in the immediate vicinity of home plate and nearly immediately after B becomes BR. 2) It appears to me that F5 was the protected fielder. So, BR would be out for INT.

I am using the AS UMP with a FM4000 MAG and a Nike TI Icon with TW pads. Both have standard harnesses on them. I have used this set up now for about 8-10 games. I actually like it more than I thought I would. I feel it’s better vented than a hat, the mask seems to sit better on the helmet, I like the short visor and I really don’t notice it once the game starts. I think I am sold. YMMV

I think even in FED the OP would be an out since the ball first hit the glove.. That said, it's not yet an out if the ball is trapped in the crook of the elbow. It become an out when it's controlled in the hand or glove.

Just please only promote those worthy of true MLB umpire material. It should be based scores and game-keeping ability, not anything else. I don't want to bring politics in here, but let it be merit-based... please.

Same tightness, just have to grab your helmet and frame at the same time, kind of right at the top corner of your mask and it’ll just come right off

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. 👀

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.

FWIW, this is what my shoulder looked like after taking confirmed 96 uncaught. Yes I felt it. Yes i had to make sure my body was still intact, but limited bruising and little actual pain. YUP, I am referring to that almost unnoticeable red mark at the top of the shoulder.

We actually have three different pant series now. The 94X is what most people reference as it is our oldest line and does use a heavier fabric. Our two newer lines, are both lighter. The Core Lightweight will probably overtake the 94X in popularity next year and is about 30% lighter then the 94X and slightly lighter then the Smitty Poly/Spandex line. This line doesn't use Spandex in the primary fabric like the rest of our line, but does have a Lycra crotch gusset for good flex in the right spots. The BFX Pro has been discussed here before and that is the most expensive pant in our line up, again newer models have the Lycra crotch gusset, its weight is between the 94X and Core Lightweight and has the best colorfastness to UV exposure. The 94X and BFX Pro are both getting refreshes in terms of cuts, features, etc. for 2027 as well.

If the ball is already dead, it is already dead. There is no reason to make any proclamation. If there are no runners on, there is no reason to announce you are about to bend over. If there is a runner anywhere and the ball is in a live (but relaxed) state, CALL TIME. I've told it before, and I'll tell it again (though I am sure the details fade each time). Early in my career and I'm working a double header with a new (but good and experienced) partner. I had plate the first game. During our between game swap out, he asks me "Why do you call time when you go to brush the plate? Everybody knows what is happening." I shrugged and called it a habit. During the second game, he has plate. With play relaxed (LIVE!) and a runner on third, he comes around to clean plate. As he is sweeping the plate off, R3 comes sliding past him. The defense starts squawking (of course). He settles everybody down and comes to me for a quick meeting. The first thing I said was, "That's why I call time." The second was, "I didn't call time. So, unless you did, I have a live ball and a run scoring." Fun!

And here's a thought. When you do brush the plate, do it with enthusiasm. I've seen some guys dust the plate and they look tired when doing it. And, what about kicking off dust with your shoe? My guideline was, if i could clean it with no more than two sweeps of my foot, OK. Otherwise, I use my brush

You’re now dining at the very table I frequent – Context & Imperatives. If/when an umpire calls Time, at the close of the play, I (as a developer / trainer / etc.) immediately identify the context. I would exhaust you guys with the different scenarios and contexts that we collectively encounter, so to your point – absolute imperatives serve no benefit to anyone. However, what I do not want to see is an umpire – especially a PU – call Time as a crutch to get back to / goto next position, or to perform some frivolous, tertiary-level “duty”… such as (directing to) moving a batting weight, retrieving a loose baseball, being brought spare baseballs, ushering a player back into the dugout… or brushing the plate because some fence-fans are sqwaking about it. Instead, what we should be doing is keeping the ball Live as much as possible, and conjoining tertiary-level duties to instances when the ball becomes Dead. HBP, Foul-ball that takes fielders out of position, Home-Run (over the fence), Runner requests Time to discard equipment, Runner or Fielder requests Time to tie their shoe 🤨… these are perfect instances to then perform one or several of those tertiary duties… Including brush the plate!

As always, context matters. Age, game type, etc. are all factors to consider. Remember, back 2(?) seasons ago, when a MLB batter got Ejected for tapping the helmet w/o ABS Challenge being implemented in MLB yet? Where’d he pick that up? Atlantic League (at the time)… which was using ABS on MiLBUs. That batter had just been called up, and he did it out of learned reaction. Is that an excuse? No. Is that an explanation (as to why)? Yes! Should he have been ejected? Yes, he’s a pro – he should know better. But these are amateurs we’re talking about, and kids at that. Adults (eg. Men’s Amateur)? Eject ‘em, absolutely. Kids, though, are morons. I’m going to give the coach(es) an opportunity, albeit brief, to “rescue” and discipline the kid before I dump him. If we look at college ball, for example, I operate in an environment where I have a churning confluence of levels and rules. Not only do I have a hybrid of OBR and NCAA, but I’ve got NAIA and JUCo players playing alongside D-1 talent, who just came from a season / post-season that has video review. We don’t have video review (yet). Am I supposed to dump a Runner because he starts doing “the headphones” when I call him out at 2B? I don’t dispute the warrant; I bristle at the automatic, the imperative – “I (we) must eject you (amateur < adult)”.

How about just saying "call is confirmed. You are out of challenges. Don't do that."

Discharged from PT today. Look out players, this blue is coming back

It will be three years this fall I couldn’t walk on the left knee. Torn MCL, got a cortisone shot. I stared strengthening exercises and, like you say, everything from back, core, to ankles, and bought the incrediware sleeves. They are my go to braces. I don’t do a game without them. They’re not cumbersome, and don’t ask my why or how, buy they work. sometimes the MCL feels it’s worse trying to to sleep. I can wear these overnight, and it provides relief and lets me sleep pain free when it acts up.

My go-tos are below. Keep strengthening the entire chain (lower back all the way down to your ankles). Even without a right ACL and after meniscus surgery on that knee last year, strengthening has enabled me to no longer wear them. Lighter duty that can be worn as much as you like https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0055QNLR8?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_15&th=1 Heavier for activity (including games) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00598YBJY?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2&th=1

FED used to allow a foul tip to be caught by a fielder but that's changed to the catcher only. OBR has an interp that only allowsthe catcher to catch it.

This is a really prevealant assumption. It never had to be "caught cleanly". It never had to go "into the glove". As said previously, OBR/NCAA it just needs to go sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher and then be legally caught by the catcher. NFHS, it needs to go sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher's hand/glove and then be legally caught. NFHS, If it touches the catcher's hand/glove first, it can be juggled, kicked, stuck in their elbow, hip... as long as it doesn't become lodged in their equipment, touch the batter or umpire... it can be legally caught by the catcher and would be a foul tip

Ah, he’s one of those type-of-coaches. These ex-pros (and recently, too) who are part of, or form their own academy/travel-ball team. Occasionally, they’re control-freaks, and have their players (trying to) do(ing) all these complex things in situations so as to exert “pressure” on the opposing team. They count on having local umpires who either kowtow to their having been a pro, or are old (or “way too young”), and they can “outfox”. While I like @Velho’s and @Coach Carl’s interpretation and imposing a penalty reflective of the “crime”, I can also see @Richvee’s point. What if the pitch had been a ball? What if the pitch had hit the batter? With runners aboard, what if the pitch had been wild, and allowed the Runners to advance? The offense should, in no way, benefit from this shenanigan. So, with this being amateur baseball (< college), it’s best practice to call No-Pitch, with the penalty of a strike because the batter left the box during the pitch. Then, just lay into that “coach”. I’m not going to let him even get that far. Whether I’m on PU or BU, I’m going to verbally chastise him, starting with he can’t just “call Time” (coaches request Time; Umpires grant / call Time), he can’t just walk in the field during Live ball, he can’t interrupt a pitch like that… need I keep going? I’m going to throw it all on him, right up front, and there won’t be any “wriggle room” for him to even argue anything. The only reason I wouldn’t outright dump him, is in that environment, he might be the only “coach”, and if dumped, his team likely forfeits; I wouldn’t want to affect his players so drastically due to his attempted antics. It’s bad enough when a coach makes a mistake and leaves his pitcher in longer than (limited) pitch/inning count, and we’ve got to forfeit the game.

Charlie is wearing a pretty unique combo. The lower pad is our Tango2 Universal and the upper pad is the Shear3 in the pad sock.

1. There is no assuming a fielder can/cannot make a play. If a runner interferes with the protected fielder, the ball is dead at that point so there is no longer a play to be made. 2. The offense only gets the choice if all runners and the BR do not achieve their next base. If everyone advances 1 base, we ignore the interference, even if outs occur beyond the advanced base. 3. Delayed Dead Ball - Batter interference, Umpire interference on a throw, Catcher's Interference Immediate Dead Ball - Spectator interference, Umpire interference on a hit, Runner/BR interference, Retired Runner Interference, Coach's Interference, Authorized individual interference (bench player, ball boy),

I've lost 50+ pounds and have decided to celebrate by getting rid of things that no longer fit and gear I no longer use. Some of it is faded or has discoloration but might still be good for a newer umpire so check link at bottom for pictures of all gear. All prices include shipping. Smitty umpire shirts and jackets all 3XL $20 each, discounts for volume Traditional Black--has some markings on front Traditional Grey--has some marking on front Navy--has some marking on front Powder Blue--has sunscreen stains around collar Red--like new Pink--like new GHSA Navy LS--like new Navy with red stripe jacket Ball Bags $20 for each set or both sets if bought together Sold Force 3 Navy--is faded from use Force 3 Black--has some sunscreen stains Mask Harness--2 UL V2 harnesses $20 each Sold Umplife Shoe Bag set $20 Sold Umplife UBag $20 All-Star Cobalt skull cap sand finish $30 Sold https://imgur.com/a/umpire-gear-oIceY6u

The Force 3 shin guards seem to be the default that I see in my crews. I've had them for the last two seasons and they're pretty solid. It does feel like this is the next area to see some innovation if a new product can maintain the protection, reduce the profile and likelihood that your pants will catch above the knee. I'm betting on the market will figure that out before I need to purchase my next set. Run, don't walk. You won't regret it. This is the only area where I wish I had a brick and mortar store to shop in. I'm confused by all of the available options. The Smitty pants are being bought by most folks and its not because they're the best.

Here is what we do when working 2-man: We pre-game that in any time where it's less than ideal baseball conditions, any ball attacking the fence has 2 sets of eyes on it, and we give up other, less important responsibilities (i.e. base umpires watches ball and glances at br when he can). If defense decides to appeal br missing 1st, we tell them to pay for a third umpire. Note that plate umpire still has to watch the tag up at 3rd, so that mechanic doesn't change. 2-man is a series of compromises - it puts us in the best possible position for the most likely play. And we have to prioritize - possible home run is a lot more important than touch at first...

In that particular situation, there is not much more you can do. We often don't work in the pristine conditions of MLB umpires. The lighting, field conditions, weather conditions, often affect our games. That's a long way for a human to see the flight of a small off white ball. The only thing I can see that could have been done differently is that your partner could have gone out on that ball. IMO, it's a good idea in that situation for your partner to read this as a trouble ball and go out. I'm in no way faulting you or your partner. I'm not even sure you could have got a better angle on a ball hit like that, either. We just have to do the best we can. It's really hard to see a ball hit over a chain link fence, especially at that distance. Maybe wait a tick before calling a 2 base award? See the actions of the fielders first? If they don't throw their hands up, then use that information to your advantage. And yes, I've had trouble with balls hit over chain link fences. Don't beat yourself up.

Absolutely. And it didn't take me 30 years to have it happen 😂

They’re very likely Bruce Bolts. Bruce Bolt Compression Sleeves Where was Segal working? Cleveland? Navy is in their color palette, and the Clubhouse Manager has these on-hand. Segal opted for these instead of wearing a long-sleeve umpire shirt (which don’t breathe as well as ya think). As you say, simply to protect his skin and promote cooling. Skin that is already getting roasted by the sun’s rays, or is slathered with sunblock, is stunted in its ability to transport heat via sweat to the surface and then allow it to evaporate. Besides that, who’s the only umpire to handle baseballs? Plate umpire – Segal likely doesn’t want to slather his arms with sunblock and have it flow down his arms to his hands – and the baseballs – if he can help it. On a related, but much more sarcastic, sartorial note: “That’s (the wearing of long sleeves under a short-sleeve umpire shirt) a bad look!!! No choice / optimum / playoff assignments for you!” – Any of Several Assigners / Evaluators in Amateur (including college!) Baseball Anywhere in North America I always make a point of this – famously, Gerry Davis was working plate at Wrigley Field, on a 95°+ day, with easily 95% humidity, in sky blue, with a blaze orange cooling towel draped over his neck while calling Bs & Ks!! Every half inning, he’d escape to the tunnel to get refreshed and cooled off, while Will Little administered the official lineup cards from U1. Bright Orange towel. On national television. Is that the “professional look” we fawn and obsess over??? #NoOneReallyCares #TheyDoInMLBWhyCan’tWe?

This. DTHC, please don't ask for time to go talk to your pitcher after a HBP. "Time is Out Coach"

These two takes mirror my own experience and why I now call time if I take out my brush (with runners on). I had the exact situation happen to me as TMIB's partner. That was the first--and last--time that's happened to me, and thankfully the defense didn't squawk (at least as far as I heard). This. DTHC, please don't ask for time to go talk to your pitcher after a HBP.

Obligatory: do NOT do 5-6 games in that kind of weather. Now that you will not listen to that advice . . . 😉 ABSOLUTELY! I started doing this when I lived in Mississippi. I started with a sun shirt, but moved on to the pull on sleeves. I'll say, I never really notice much cooling effect from the evaporation, but keeping the sun off of you makes a world of difference. You might also consider checking out https://thighpro.com/collections/men/products/short-sleeve-mock-neck . (Here is a thread from the man himself: If you don't have lighter weigh pants, get some! Here is a past thread with some other good tips and discussion on dealing with the heat: ! Now, if we could just get a long sleeved umpire shirt made from some of these cooler/cooling fabrics . . .

I rarely call time to clean the plate. Most of the games I work are on HS varsity and JUCO/D3 with partners who are generally attentive and the majority of those games are played on turf so there's no real need to clean the plate in many instances. I have to admit that it irks me to see the reflexive timeout every time a partner cleans the plate. I get that it's no big deal, but I am of the philosophy of keeping the ball in play as much as possible. It's akin to not calling time to throw - toss really - the ball from F6 to F1 after a ball goes to the outfield. I lose no sleep over this and only mention it if my partner asks me for feedback after the game.

I would handle this in a couple of ways depending on the situation. At the first hearing of it, and if it wasn't directed at anyone, just dumb kids talking and loud enough for the stands to hear or if it was inapropriate, I would not issue a warning. I would just say loud enough for everyone to hear something to the effect of "Hey, knock it off with the profanity," or something along those lines. In that situation, if it happens again, I will then say something like "Hey, I already told you to knock it off, if you don't stop, then someone is getting dumped." I will even go as far as telling the coach that If I can't identify the culprit, then I'm going to dump him. But you must be loud and vocal so that everyone knows whats going on and what will happen. Of course you run a risk of a kid doing it in hopes he gets his coach dumped because he's not getting any playing time.😁 If it was egregious from the get go, then I'd either dump the culprit right then and there, or I'd go to the second step as described above right away. The problem with warnings are that you must follow through, otherwise you look weak. If I'm going to issue a warning, I'm very specific about the consequences that will follow. So if it does happen again, and I do dump someone, It's just what I said I'd do. I'm not a fan of umpires saying "that's a warning," and leaving it at that. What does that mean? Double secret probation? I'll warn you again? If I issue a warning, I'm telling right then and there what the consequence will be. I almost never say the word warning. I'll usually say things like "If I hear that or if that happens again, you'll be ejected." That way there are no ambiguities. Now that being said, these situations often have variables, and many ways to handle them. I don't normally have issues with profanity. When I do, I just give them a stern directive to not do that. One of my collegues like to say things like "Hey, if you do XY or Z, by rule, I'll be forced to eject you." That's not a bad tactic, and it works for him. BTW, I've never ejected someone for just profanity, I just tell them not to do that. Unless they call me a F*#Khead, or something like that.😅

The entire amateur baseball ⚾️ (and softball 🥎 ) community needs education on this simple point – any time when a batted ball (liner, pop-fly, fly, et. al.) is caught, the force is off. Thus, any subsequent outs will occur via tags, appeals, or INT by a member of the offense.

The defense in your play is appealing that the runner left early. A valid appeal would be tagging either the runner or the base from which he left early, but they must do it before the runner corrects his infraction. Typically, the defense chooses to tag the base and this creates the race to the bag that looks similar to a force play.

1: MLB is testing this in AA and AAA. 99% of the time, the clock starts immediately. As Max said, if a batter gets thrown up and in, we can hold the clock. But on a batter time out, the clock starts immediately. 2: A coach or manager has until 20 seconds to get a fresh 30 seconds on a player initiated trip. If they come out after 20, they can either use another visit to get a reset or be walking off the mound before 0. This is also a AA and AAA experimental rule. 3: You would wave in the new sub and point to wherever the new player is playing. Unless it’s unannounced, which then the press box probably saw it anyway and will announce it

I'm not very good at math. So, whatever is out there, is what I'll umpire.

NFHS allows you to put him on the bench Max! If he is one of those ass hats who thinks his own rise to the show allows him to act like a two year old on a sugar high, the restriction will likely be far worse because he can no longer become the center of attention for all to see. Only the other rats in the dugout will be the beneficiaries of his antics. As an added bonus, the first time he tries to come out you get a a second opportunity to call him out as a tool by halting any further peacocking in public view

Donny said to reporters after the game that the only reason it was argued was the fact the guy never made a turn towards 3rd base. He claimed they were shown video in Spring Training by MLB saying if the guy runs through the base and doesn't turn toward third, he can be called out. I would like to see the memo too..... https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7430216/2026/07/08/phillies-coaches-tossed-reds-elly-de-la-cruz-second-base/

Count MLB umpires in this group. Every now and then they screw this rule up. Most people don't like the NFHS rule because it "robbed" Johnny of a home run because the ball is immediately dead on a balk. Countless studies over the years have shown that the overwhelming number of NFHS balks don't involve a pitched ball that is even hit.

It's only FED that lets the umpire assume a DP and call two outs. OBR, NCAA the interference must be judged intentional to break up a double play in order to call 2 outs.

Hopefully the steam coming from my ears was only noticeable to the keen-eyed umpires in the stands. Great meeting you guys, @Richvee and @Kevin_K. The good vibes you guys sent made the game 20 minutes faster than our season average!

This is another pregame discussion. Get with your partner and agree that when the PU points to the BU and hollers 'Challenge', the BU automatically hollers 'Confirmed.' Or vice versa if a tag or force play was challenged as well. Why only let one of the crew have fun?

We may need to start another thread for skull caps, sorry for getting us off-topic gentlemen. I am thankful to each of you for sharing your input as I do find personal experience and feedback from peers to be the best form of information. This topic though is supposed to be for the Mirage, which is an excellent mask and is happily used and endorsed by myself and a host of you on here. Has anyone had one of these powder-coated any other color besides black, gunmetal or silver?

Thanks. Yes, this is why I keep using AS too... it just fits great and the washable padding is perfect. I may use the Axis Pro version instead though for my next one to have a longer brim vs. the hard-hat appearance of the umpire version. This is to avoid looking like the guy above or maybe like an equestrian rider in an equine competition (dressage anyone?).