Leaderboard

100%. But I got to say, at least there's Patrick Farber @ Umpire Classroom is trying to raise the bar for NFHS education. Some...if not all of his videos, especially new rules and interp videos should be required for any NFHS umpire

Had a similar play this past weekend. 3 man, R2, R3 1 out, so U1 was inside. Fly ball down the RF line, clearly in foul territory and a chance to be caught at the fence, with the potential of the fielder going over. I couldn't completely vacate home and get as close to the wall as I would have liked, but got as much as I felt I could, saw the catch, U3 got the tag, and R3 scored without a play. Just one of those, have to trust your instincts and only take what the play gives you.

Alright so yeah, my first official game went pretty smoothly, no slide rule discussions, no balks, no batting out of order/DH/courtesy runner tomfoolery. The base umpire had the two most interesting calls on a pair of drops made by the CF but both of those looked fine to me and didn't get any arguing from the fielding team coaches. My zone seemed fine, definitely a few times the catcher went "oooohhh" on a close ball call but nothing that felt like any more than a normal reaction to me. My main feedback for myself was I was definitely too focused on making sure the in-game calls went fine where I wasn't really focused on some of the game admin stuff, I wasn't tracking the lineup card too closely, didn't exactly count warmup pitches and am pretty sure I allowed two player conferences in one half-inning which I know is a new rule meant to prevent that. Fully aware of the importance of all of these for pace of play and/or keeping the game from falling into chaos, but I wanted to make sure I could walk before walking and chewing gum. There was also a bit of bench jockeying, but I had zero frame of reference for what was a normal bit of light banter vs something more serious so I just trusted the more experienced base umpire to judge when it was getting too strong.

I appreciate what you're saying, but I do know the conditions for leaving the box legally. The 3-0 pitch was a wild pitch, so IF the batter requested time to step out I would have ignored it (meaning that I wouldn't have held up my hands and declared "Time!")

Wait. Is that where I was supposed to look for the pad socks? I've been looking on gerrydavis.com...but didn't even know about davisofficials.com...

I dont see the runner needing to avoid the contact as there was no defensive player in his path. The F1 came from and tagged him on his left side. And the F1 reared back, put his shoulder down and put extra effort in his tag such that he extended his arms. This was not a normal tag. I have MC since the F1 reared back and gave him extra. A normal tag would not have propelled the BR 4 or 5 feet to his right. He might have still fell on a normal tag but he wouldnt have had his left shoulder lifted up up over his head. How were they able to finish the game? Benches cleared and position players left their positions. What descretion did the umpires use?

Agreed. But , from the coach’s perspective, just teaching the simple “request time” means it will never be illegal (no one except umpires will remember something like “request time unless……”)

It shouldn't be just Patrick, or coming from or via Patrick exclusively. This is a Federal -level entity. Granted, there is a clause that individual states are at liberty to adopt any, select, or all of the various articles within the NFHS Rulebook. As such, how each state implements and trains their umpires should be the domain of that state. However, that condition should not absolve the Fed from doing due diligence in explaining, demonstrating, and constructing a dynamic resource / reference nexus. I know, I know... lots of big words. In short, they shouldn't be sitting in Indianapolis and hiding, just issuing newsletters, and leaving interpretations and training materials up to the states. If people can make stupid, inane TikTok videos, then a couple of middle-aged dudes can go out back and make a video clip about what they have in mind regarding a rule. Hey, it's a start. And another topic regarding Patrick. I actually worry about him, professionally. Why? Because there are some of our contemporaries who get terribly butt-hurt with how Patrick is publishing the information for free. ... and they get terribly vindictive and petty – professionally – over it.

Most pitchers that do not pitch sideways reset their pivot foot in transitioning to more sideways torso in their delivery. That involves violating two criteria in the rule that most of us ignore unless it gives an advantage of momentum or distance. The criteria exist to prohibit "running into the pitch" and getting closer to HP in their release with the pivot foot off the rubber and closer to HP. From 5.07(a) Comment...."The pitcher may not take a second step toward home plate with either foot or otherwise reset his pivot foot in his delivery of the pitch." And 5.07(a)(1) ....."He shall not raise either foot from the ground, except that in his actual delivery of the ball to the batter, he may take one step backward, and one step forward with his free foot." Our NCAA umps might not be as lenient as they have Randy Bruns taking a more literal stance as to pitching.

No apologies needed. I get the brand separation. Just letting you know my experience.

Yes, I apologize @834k3r @Velho. They will be made available on gerrydavis.com as well just got quite the backlog across the org at the moment!

Why would that be?? 🤔 Hmm… could it be the unmitigated chaos of synchronizing, what, 138 different umpire associations (in one state)?!?? I’m starting to sense that poly-garchy and anarchy are actually synonyms… in Illinois. The initial play at 1B ain’t the burr in the saddle. The burr(s) become evident on 2… “actions”… at 1B, and how umpires get hung up on literal application vs. “spirit of the rule” application. Base hit to the outfield. Because of the emphasis placed on the BR touching orange vs fielder touching white, umpires NttR (new to the rule) fixate and perseverate on the BR touching orange every time for “first time by”. The perseverate on the imperative – “must” – and don’t infuse the qualifier – on the initial (first) play at 1B. We (the experienced guys) know that without a play at 1B, the BR can touch either base. But because of the overemphasis placed on the imperative (and the conjoined penalty) in materials and training, umpires NttR start calling BRs Out on doubles, or overthrows. Once returning to 1B after overrunning it, the BR touches / steps / stands on orange (first), then white. This akin to there being no orange base whatsoever, and BR returning while talking to his 1BC and taking off his protective gear. BR is allowed to return directly to “1B”, with ranging interpretation on the time interval (urgency). Now, we have F3’s (coached to) hold(ing) the ball, and tagging BR as he returns to the (double) base, forcing the umpire into a judgement. I am not contesting or complaining about the rule, I’m bemoaning how it is taught and how to implement it. Or, in the Fed’s case – the absence of comprehensive training and support materials. And sorry-not-sorry, a POE Newsletter – on its own – is a pathetic piece of material. I swear, there’s (still) more enforcement and adherence to the (stoooooooopid!) navy blue shirt rule, than upon a paradigm-shifting rule such as the double first base.

I was taken aback in reading this and seeing the chairman's name was a Selig. What a coincidence! Not implying anything other than previous MLB commish was a Selig and the chairman's name is the same. Wonder what the Polymarket had odds on that.

+1 for the title. Ye gods. It would be so simple for them to have said "we're not getting in bed with anything that even smacks of gambling." Now we have one of the star closers of the game on trial.

Oh...no doubt...we do a great job of overcomplicating things.

I think the key thing is to NOT get too wrapped up in the double base. Sure, when plays aren't close, you can give some extra attention to which base the runner touches. But on whackers, focus only on if the batter-runner beats the throw or the throw beats the batter-runner. Nothing worse than losing focus realizing that, yes, the batter-runner touched the colored base, but having no idea on if he beat the play or not.

You want some advice? Here it is: Just go out there and do the best you can.

A Resume.org survey of 1,000 hiring managers found that 59% say they emphasize AI’s role in layoffs because it “is viewed more favorably by stakeholders than saying layoffs or hiring freezes are driven by financial constraints.” Only 9% said AI had fully replaced any roles. This is not a technology story; it’s a management honesty story that happens to involve technology. https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2026-03-13/the-ai-washing-of-job-cuts-is-corrosive-and-confusing Just felt like sharing that. No reason.

Compared to some of the chalk lines we see, that’s pretty close. 🤣

New photo to not distract from the intent of the thread.

I would argue that is NOT the intent of that rule, as it is in a section addressing behavior by "A coach, player, substitute, attendant or other bench personnel . . . " and addresses behaviors such as leaving the dugout during a live ball, wearing bandanas, and hitting a ball to the defense after the gam has started. I would argue releasing the bat on your swing is not throwing it. You could argue it could apply because it also lists making a fake tag, which could only be done by a active player on the defense. I'll strike my comments from the record. However, I'm leaving this: Let's get silly now . . . NFHS Baseball 3-3-1-e states A coach, player, substitute, attendant or other bench personnel shall not . . . hit the ball to players on defense after the game has started. The penalty is a team warning with the next offender ejected. So . . . did that just outlaw the offense hitting the ball?

You're not going to find that rule in any rules book, other than the IMTSU Rulebook. IMTSU is pronounced "I Made This S#it Up". Really. Seriously. This has to stop. No, not the slung / flung bats... these are kids, kids are morons... no, I mean the making 💩up because I feel that something should be done! Facts don't care about your feelings, and the fact is that there is 0 – Zee-Eee-Arr-OOOOOOhhhhh rules support for the call of "Out". The only way you're getting a (justifiable) Out on this is if the ball is popped up in the vicinity of Home plate, and the flung bat interferes with the catcher (F2), and his/her ability to make a catch attempt on that ball (regardless of fair or foul). Flown to F9? Fat chance, not happening. Don't care if it was a run-rule game anyway. Don't flush your integrity down the same toilet to where that s#!t belongs.

@UAME's pain was your gain!

Yes, the Davis site is only Davis equipment and apparel and will be the only place to get our Limited Edition pieces and NASO Member benefits. Right now, it is in a minimally viable form. In the future it will have: More technical content Better content comparing various product lines Product breakdowns Memberships (yes they will provide value) Early access to new products It's all evolving in time but anything Davis branded is available there. Gerry Davis Sports remains a full retail experience.

Not “bush league” at all. It’s a veritable tactic, and with how… “vigorously” (?) some clubs / programs alert and adjust themselves when faced with a LHB to defend it, it’s worth utilizing. Didn’t Tsun Szu say something about inducing panic in your enemy, and let them defeat themselves? Say you’re a HS team, behind by a run, and you’ve got R1. Instead of bunting, why not try this? Send your next batter up to get in the LHB box. This shields the R1 from F2’s sight, reducing backpicks, and gives R1 a “screened” jump against F2’s throw. Then, once your Runner is standing on 2B, switch your Batter back to RHB box. If your Batter is well coached or disciplined, he’ll reduce his chances of BI when R2 steals 3B. Once standing on 3B (now R3), you can have the Batter stay RHB, and potentially set up a steal of Home, or a safety squeeze. Or, switch the Batter back to LHB and increase your chances that a ball put in play to the right side of the infield will score R3. See the game within the game? All legal. Not shenanigans. Please understand @UAME, I’m hot heaping on ya, but do you now see how much we dig our heels in when we don’t know the rules comprehensively? That, when confronted with the very situation that we only have a marginal, tenuous knowledge or understanding of, how defensive and inflexible we get? We (the umpire community) do a 💩 job of demonstrating and explaining the Rules for the… not “a”, the variety of learning types in the landscape of umpires that will be upholding those Rules. How ‘bout a diagram? How ‘bout a web article, with photos/illustrations? How ‘bout a video? No no! We’re far more perseverating on determining that eye-black is gang intimidation (how ‘bout some photos or illustrations?), and cramming that in the latest one printing per year paper tome of the year! At least NCAA has a digital version, emailed updates & notices, and the videos ta boot. That should be, in this day and age, a minimum standard.

Looking back over the summer, I worked thirty plate games with the D3O across two professional leagues and one collegiate wooden bat league. I took two shots directly to the chest and five to the right shoulder/clavicle area. I feel like the protection is solid and I never had any loss of confidence. In my opinion, the low profile appearance is its best feature. Every game from this summer was streamed with a solid center field camera view and the look is so solid. Gone are the days of looking like the lead blocker on a sweep play in Southwest Conference. For the last 20+ years umpires have been buying the West Vest if they could afford it. I honestly don't know how you'd pick a Wilson chest protector if you knew about the D30. Godspeed, @DerekGDS. I hope you're able to get the word out.

Yes, the HDPE is pliable and you can use a hair drier or heat gun but make sure to remove all of the padding first. It is completely removable from all of the hard plates. High heat can damage the D3O. The plates are pre-shaped (not perfect but better than most) but over time they flatten with shipping and storage. Using heat should get them where you'd like.

All of our shin guard lines are slotted for 2027 refreshes, some of them significant.

Hey, I get it! Until @DerekGDS and @wolfe_man roped me into their discussions, I was resolved that my 2015 Schutt MaXV – using authentic D3O and thoroughly modified by yours truly – was going to be the CP to use for the rest of my career. Sure, I tried others… Douglas, All-Star System-7 CPU4K, Force3 ≠, Champion P200, +POS ZRO-G, even the All-Star Cobalt… but nothing could beat the lightweight-ness and ventilation of the Schutt. I’m not a fragile guy, but I do not enjoy lugging around 10 lbs. of my own sweat! But, when Derek disclosed that he had brokered a contract with D3O, and was going to equip it to a carapace planform that he and Wolfe had arrived at, based on all the “good parts” of classic CPs like the Riddell Power, the Schutt, the P200, and even the Cobalt and +POS Cobra, I was mightily intrigued. Derek and I figured out how to implement G-hooks. The rough prototype showed promise, but I maintained that the only true test is if/when we could actually wear one, and (potentially) face a pitch. Within moments of putting on that alpha unit Derek handed me, I was sold. Utterly and completely sold. I’ll never use my Schutt again; the difference is that tangible. Sure, the DX family is likely to broaden and improve, and the Enduro itself will evolve, but there isn’t another domestic* brand of CP better. The All-Star CPU4K (S7) was an absolute tank. Best coverage and protection on a modern CP. However, it’s telling that it wasn’t supplemented or complemented by the follow-on Cobalt, but instead supplanted. 🤔 * - I have to concede, the craftsmanship on Belgards and Mizunos is exceptional.