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Did some shopping today, got myself a nice new metal indicator, wood plate brush (can never have too many) compression shorts a pair of proper plate shoes and a nutty buddy. I am ready for the new season (which is still a good month away) but nothing gets a guy quite as excited as some new gear

JV High School game yesterday with two pretty good teams. I'm solo and felt GREAT about my zone all day - maybe would have taken 3 pitches back. Was focused, hustling and having my best game of the year. Had several bangers which, of course, had half of the crowd whining but I'm on a roll. Two situations that happened mid-game (both conversations were cordial and at a conversational volume level): 1. R2 & R3. Batter hits a hard grounder to first and R3 is breaking. F2 calls "four!" and F3 throws home (didn't touch 1B) and hits BR right in the helmet. BR is running a step inside the foul line and is ducking/protecting himself as he gets hit. There is no question in my mind that he was not intentionally interfering. The ball deflects into the infield as R3 scores and R2 reaches third. While all this is happening, F2 is asking "isn't that interference?" Play relaxes and DC calls time, I grant it and he and comes out. Of course, he wants interference because BR was not in the lane. I explain to him that the running lane is only relevant on throws to 1B, and in my judgement, BR did not intentionally interfere so it's nothing. He isn't happy, but we play on. 2. R2 & R3 again with 1 out. Grounder hit to F6 who is charging in. R2 runs into him (not MC) and I call, "That's interference! Time! Time!" but both sides keep playing. Oddly enough, F6 was actually able to make the play on the BR. Finally, as play relaxes and everyone hears me calling time, I reiterate, "That was interference (pointing to where it happened), You're out (pointing to R2 who's standing on 3B), You (pointing to R3 who had crossed the plate) back to third. You (pointing to BR) first base!" DC (same one as previous play) comes out and says, "You've got to let that play out - you shouldn't kill it immediately." I explain that interference is an immediate dead ball, and since in my judgement it was not going to be a double play, then BR is placed at 1B. I tell him that I am 100% certain of the ruling and he says the rule is bullSH*#. I tell him that I don't write 'em, I only enforce 'em. They end up getting the 3rd out without R3 scoring. There's NO WAY I was going to get #1 above correct without the fine community we have here at U-E. Not sure which thread or how long ago it was, but the BR getting hit with a throw home from 1B was covered and as a result, I frickin nailed it. Second play was a no brainer - but I guess that coach just isn't too familiar with the rules which made it a fun test of game management.

FINALLY, the USA fans get something to cheer about.. the Grand Salami from David Wright!

I would never do 200 squats in my church pants.

We should have write in answers. I would chose E. E. The person who wrote this test is an idiot. It would be D. For E you would have to call time to check to see if a medical emergency existed first right?

Had a Varsity double header today. First game I had the stick and we went 11 full in 2:40. Ended 6-5. Second game on the bases went 8 innings in 2;20 and ended 10-9.

Let's step back guys and take a deep breath. I hate having to shut down topics.

+1 I would add that I use Woolite as I don't want to risk anything with the padding using heavier detergents. Not just that, but I find the Woolite rinses out easier than other detergents I've tried. Not saying Tide or something along those lines doesn't work, just my routine...YMMV. During weekend tourneys where I can't clean them, I allow it to air dry then spray with Lysol, then Febreze (sport formula)...keeps them tolerable until I can clean 'em. Other than that, I do all this in the sink or outside, not in a washing machine. As the tags on the padding indicate, I would not completely submerge them. A buddy of mine put his in the washer, then the dryer. He had a helluva time putting them back on as they shrunk and not just that, the padding doesn't feel as robust as previously, or compared to mine. Feels like it was permanently compressed. And I've had my Platinum for 3+ yrs now working majority of games in S. Tx heat/humidity...pads still going strong. Only negative is the rivets holding everything together have rusted, despite regular cleaning/maintenance and even coating with WD-40 consistently. A guy I know who does sheet-metal work says he can replace with stainless steel...the rub is getting the old ones out w/o disforming the plastic. We'll see. Thanks for the suggestion, I will use Woolite for my next cleaning cycle. To prevent the rust on the rivets what I did was to put clear nail polish.

It's not something I'd ever say after a game just ended. First of all, there have been times where I felt I may have struggled a bit, and the truth is, nobody else noticed. My off day might be better than what the coaches have seen recently OR it's just the fact I'm harder on myself than anyone else would be. On top of that, I'm not sure it really helps. If they think I suck, me telling them that I know I suck isn't going to help me. I'm not looking for absolution, after all -- and the coaches are the last ones I'd expect to give it to me even if I was.

I personally have no issue with run differential plus mercy as this tournament does. Fact is, sometimes in life, you get face palmed, rofl stomped or just plain out get the shyte kicked out of you. Sometimes in life we lose, and we lose real bad, so you come back the next time and do something about it. Canada had been mercied out the game before against Italy, they picked up their socks, came back the next day and played like a team who wanted to win. Did anyone else see poor sportsmanship like pitching at the batter during the Italy game? No, because it didn't happen. Canada got whooped. period. Tourney rules. Unspoken rules get trumped when spoken rules are in place. It never feels very sporting to over run a team to humiliation, but it is very sporting to take your lumps when they happen, and learn from it instead of behaving like 5 year olds. The rules aren't to blame in any of these runaway game situations, everyone knew them coming in. People having a fit because the rule no longer fits their perception of how things aught to be is.

Not just some kid from AA. He's 2010 first round draft pick Jameson Taillon. Drafted out of Woodland high school, Texas. In his 1st two minor league seasons he's got a 3.72 era, 1.15 whip and has struck out 8+ batters per 9 innings. Not bad for a kid who won't turn 22 until November. Should be fun to watch.

I talked to the rule interpreter and he removed it from the question set.

USA! ALL THE WAY!

Batter-Runner should have been tossed for that helmet spike and then should have been tossed again for continuing to moan while taking the field... They're really going the extra mile to keep these guys in the game.

I don't know if there are any mandatory suspensions following EJ's, but whether there are or aren't, methinks there will some anyway. Yep, Hickox did a great job on Molina sticking that elbow out. Also, I've seen all of the crews showing restraint on some of the "antics" by the players and coaches.... like that Cuban coach and the gloves the other night.

Nice call by the ump on the peurto rico/venezuela game calling the batter back for moving into the pitch. Speaking with some national pride here.... I almost feel bad for the people of mexican descent who were ejected from the park and subsequently arrested in arizona.... almost

Isn't F1, by his abandoning any attempt to voluntarily release the ball and removing the ball/glove, admitting that the ball is indeed lodged and he cannot dislodge it? Right at that point, I'd argue that is a lodged ball. The fielder cannot make a play or remove the ball so he resorts to taking the glove off (note: I no longer use the term 'detach' in this context) and throws the ball/glove as a unit, precisely because it's lodged. It may become dislodged at some point, as all lodged balls eventually do, but that seems irrelevant to the play.

Retired this past September following 32 years of law enforcement. My job duties as a lieutenant (plus a very good boss) allowed me to leave early every time I had a 3:15 game, as well as some 10am midweek tournament games. As we have baseball here in So Cal year round, I couldn't ask for a better "retirement job."

I don't like it IMAG0031-1.jpg I like pie !

Snare, I think the commercial is pretty cool too but just check out where the PU's head is for the left handed batter. Kind of caught my eye and messed it up for me Compared to how we're portrayed in almost any other commercial I've ever seen, I'll take the poor positioning of the PU. I'll take the poor safe signal mechanic of the U1

If I'm apologizing to anyone, it's my partner(s). They are the ones who had to pick up my slack and possibly suffer the wrath of the angry because I pissed someone off. THEY are due an apology. Coaches be damned.

When I am not pissing off coaches I troll umpires on the forums. When I need drug money I manage a group of data analysts.

I hate to split hairs, but this could bite you one day. Proper mechanic is "That's OBS" while pointing at it. When action relaxes naturally, THEN you kill it. OBS is a DDB. If something funky happens AFTER the OBS, like ball goes OOP, it's still live. Unless, of course, you've killed it.

You got the OBS right and it wouldn't have changed the result of the play (most likely) but in FED there is no Type A OBS. Therefore you don't kill it by calling time. Point and call the OBS but then wait for the play to end to award 1b.

If he paid $125.00 for the mask, he was screwed without the lube.

I just wish mine would stop shrinking.

A-hole 12 year old on deck batter - "You got to be kidding me" Me - "Wait til you see your strike zone."

a direct statement from a 12 year old??? Zero tolerance.

This is getting off topic guys ..........   but I must indulge!   ............when it's cold enough to wear a jacket of any sort and I have the dish, (meaning, still too cold for a LS jersey, and no, I don't have a plate coat) .... I'm wearing a jacket, AND I'm tucking it....ALWAYS behind the plate.   There's nothing wrong with it......   We can discuss this on another thread if someone wants to start it, ....but I suggest searching and bringing up an old thread to re-discuss   Better yet ................GO HERE:   http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/topic/24422-jackets-in-or-out-stripes-or-not/

Stop wearing a "plate jacket"

The NCAA doesn't say anything regarding belts other than they have to be black. To each their own, but as an NCAA umpire I wear a 1 3/4" patent leather belt. They're more substantial (especially to hold up ball bags) and they just look better. They also hold their appearance over time versus a regular leather belt. You can get a 1 3/4" Boster leather patent leather belt from Honig's, for example, for about $22. If you're trying to save $8-$10 and buying an inferior product then you're going to get what you pay for. Just my $0.02. By the way, someone mentioned buying two sizes larger than your pants if purchasing a Boston leather patent leather belt. Couldn't agree more.

I wonder about fitment of TW's as well. I was pretty sure one would need to cut the strap on bottom. I'm glad to hear it has been done without issue as I am expecting both in the mail. My other question is did you attach a throat guard? Did you spring for a $30 magnesium All-Star? The system 7 mask seems to have a smaller built-in throat area, possibly because it is designed to be worn with the dangler? What do y'all say?