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Help from the coaches at younger ages?? They're the ones that probably started the fight.

Who are you making that impression with: your assigner, or the other participants (players, coaches, partners, etc)? If you’re aiming to impress your assigner, there are three main things: Be on time; additionally, don’t skimp, shave, or short-change time on the participants. If there’s a run rule, understandable… but barring that, don’t set your own time limits to the game, whether implied or overt. The participants are there to get work in, regardless of how sloppy or how long it takes. Apply college rules (NCAA, NAIA, and whatever mods the league is using for the summer) and be consistent in them. Be Civil and “Casual, but Focused”. The Assigner got this gig because of a relationship he has with the coaches, so in an indirect way, you are working for the coaches. Don’t antagonize them, and jeopardize the relationship the assigner has with them because you feel you have to show off, or be some know-it-all. If you’re aiming to impress the participants (coaches, players, fellow umpire), then the same holds true: Be on time; additionally, don’t act all frustrated and put out if coaches confer with their players (many barely know them), or “take longer” in notifying you of changes or issues. They don’t want to be there forever, either, but they need to get the work in for their players. Don’t let minor things slow down the game for “administrative purposes”. Apply college rules and be consistent in them. Do not call a “High School strike zone”. Understand the Context you’re in. This is collegiate summer ball – it’s more about getting the work in, and less about wins (and losses). Do not be confrontational. Don’t be patriarchal or condescending. If they swear & curse, don’t be corrective. You don’t have to police and nanny dugouts (keeping all players in them). You don’t have to insist that each and every player that retrieves a foul ball has to have a helmet. You don’t have to peer into bullpens and ensure each catcher has a mask on. Work with coaches, not against them, or assume they’re actively working against you. Eject anyone who “looks at you funny”, or questions you, especially when you don’t follow the above 3 points. Tell a catcher his job, ie. “[you’re] there to protect me (son)!” Prohibit jewelry, or make any mention of it (such as in a plate meeting) other than jewelry or bracelets cannot be worn on a pitcher’s throwing wrist, or in a distracting manner. Make any mention of “how to approach an umpire”, such as is said at some plate meetings. Make any mention of sportsmanship, such as is said at HS-aged / youth plate meetings. Walk up to the plate for the plate meeting, bellowing “Coaches!!” and expect them to come running; you’re on their time, not they on yours. Make or try “dramatic” whacker mechanics or 3-ꓘ mechanics, especially if you haven’t perfected them; as you become more familiar with your own style of mechanics, you learn when and at what intensity to implement them. Use them sparingly in college summer ball. Think that this game is the forum to demonstrate your knowledge of the Rules; knowing the Rules, and when to implement them is important, but this isn’t the place to conduct a TEDtalk on them. Wear your HS shirt and/or hat. Differences? HS – you gotta wear a shirt approved by the State (association), oftentimes navy. CSB – wear what ya want, as long as it looks presentable and professional. HS – if you’re PU, you are “god”, and everyone else, including your BU partner(s), are subservient. CSB – you are not only equal part of an umpire team, but you come to discover that you are a fellow participant in the game, all striving towards the goal of getting work in on baseball. HS – these are wayward youth, led by a coach, collectively competing for a Win. CSB – these are (young) adults, led by a chaperone or facilitator, who are individually developing their talents and skills in a competitive, cooperative arena.

Mad Max will chime in shortly, I expect. He's probably out doing a tripleheader, but when he gets home....

I believe the HDX has a lot of velcro connections that make it very customizable. I watched a video at ump-attire on adjusting it. You may want to check that out. When I got mine adjusted, it covered the collarbone just fine.

We give new umpires crude advice as to what a new umpire should do with the scorekeeping pages in their rulebook. But before they tear them out of the FED rulebook we advise them to retain and read 9-1-1a,b,c,d,e. I don't think that is covered in the previous chapters of the FED book.

Good point, urout17. I should clarify: with younger ages, if coaches are fighting, I'm definitely not stepping in.

If no one responds here, I would email or call Ump-Attire with your sizing concerns. They will best be able to steer you to the correct equipment... ~Dawg

5.06(b)(4) is about detached equipment. 6.01(h) is about obstruction. Neither apply here. I'm scoring it a 2B and an error as it was the error that allowed (via award but allowed nonetheless) the BR to go to 3B. Sans error he's at 2B.

Stop a fight from happening? -- Sure Break up a fight that's already happening? -- NFW.

For me consistency is the best of anything. You can call a ball width one way(tight or widening the zone) as long as you do it (at least in LL) the same all game most coaches wont care. They just want to see the game called fairly for them and their opponent.

As much as I used to enjoy a good slobber knocker, in todays litigious society, stay out of it. Especially HS age and below (if it should occur).

I’ll admit, I know very little about scorekeeping. As an umpire, I don’t care much about it, but I think it should be a double and error. The error occurred, but the hit is not defined by the base award. The award (penalty) is two bases, but the hit is determined by where the batter would have been had an error not occurred, which is clearly second. In this regard, I’d view the scorekeepers job in judgment akin to an umpires when he must judge where runners would have ended up had obstruction not occurred. You make best judgment and do not “go crazy” in placement

...and if you don't have one already, please get a throat protector and make sure it is attached properly. ~Dawg

d. a pitched ball hits his person or clothing, provided he does not strike at the ball; 1. If he permits the pitched ball to touch him (7-3-4), or if the umpire calls the pitched ball a strike, the hitting of the batter is disregarded except that the ball is dead. It is a strike or ball depending on location of the pitch. 2. If a batter's loose garment, such as a shirt that is not worn properly, is touched by a pitched ball, the batter is not entitled to first base. Note that in FED, "permits" means something along the lines of "had a chance to move to avoid and chose not to take it."