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As someone with plenty of disposable income and a lack of impulse control regarding hobbies, I will take some pictures when my order from Dicks Sporting Goods arrives sometime this weekend/next week. Too bad for Concertman I made the purchase before he offered the XRD. An AS Axis doesn't make sense to up/sidegrade but I do have a SC500 I use for catching men's league or I might go looking for a used Rawlings or Evoshield to experiment with. Most of the sizing pads I am seeing in a quick google search are designed by manufacturers for their specific helmets but I did find a at least 1 that seems promising. I am curious about installation order between D3O and sizing foam. The D3O linear is designed to fit flush against existing padding and either the sizing liners/pucks or the D30 liner should be fixed in place so they don't shift easily. If the D3O linear is velcro'd into the helmet, then the sizing pucks would need to be attached to the D3O as the pucks would not be able to hold themselves in place like the liner would. Here is an example of the liner being fit into a football helmet for reference. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcnfHZb_dDw 1) this is a helmet sizing fit kit by Bern and has a few pucks but is still target to one of their helmet designs. https://bernhelmets.com/products/summer-liner-universal-adult-package 2) this is a fit kit from a skate/bike helmet company called S1 that uses two sized pieces of foam go around the front and back semicircles of the helmet, different thicknesses of foam would allow more customization between front/back sides https://shop.s1helmets.com/s1-helmet-co-fit-kit/ 3) Easton's helmet padding fit kit mentioned earlier would allow the customization desired and we already know it fits in skull caps for sizing purposes https://easton.rawlings.com/product/8068349.html Once I have the D3O liner in hand I'll sit down and start making further plans but thinking the Easton and/or S1 kits with the Evoshield or Rawlings skull cap is the way to go for airflow/padding combinations. Final note, I had to go through this so many times to make sure I was calling it D3O and not 3DO the developer/publisher of Army Men, Heroes of Might and Magic, and High Heat MLB video games

Black frames are expected back in stock around 6/6. Pretty sure the Silver frames are going on sale sometime soon.

In the specific case of the All-Star “Cobalt” Skuly, it (a D3O insert) wouldn’t. It’s unnecessary, and “forcing” it in is both overkill, and not an effective use of resources. It would be a disservice to D3O and the Skuly. The Skuly isn’t a bad hardhat/skullcap; in fact, as it sits now, on this current market landscape, it is the technical best option. It has the best padding configuration, which is removable, and more sized-specific than the grossly over-generic sizes (ie. “Small-Medium” or “One size Fits Most”) that plague a wearable piece like this. It has a “Con-cushion” – it’s just put in the wrong end. And while I get it why they left it there – because it shares the same mold as it’s for-catchers siblings, and creating a brand-new mold “just for a few umpires, who we don’t have an Exclusive contractual arrangement with” is cost-prohibitive – I just do not like being lied to as to why. Be transparent. Call a spade ♠️ a spade ♠️. Don’t spit in my hand and tell me it’s raining. A D3O – or XRD via @concertman1971 (thanks!) – liner would be an immediate upgrade in everyone else’s skullcaps, including Rawlings, Easton, EvoShield, and especially Wilson’s. I’d also get a set of bike helmet sizing pads (Giro? Specialized? Bell? etc), which are lozenge-shaped adhesive foam pucks. I’d begin by tearing out that stooooopid closed-cell foam puck at the top (crown), which actually inhibits hair growth and induces baldness (check baseball players sometime, who spend a lot of time with a conventional batting helmet or skullcap on their head). I’d also remove the foam / leather ring, just leaving the bare shell. Now, install the Adv. foam insert, and put it on to test out the fit, and determine where to place/adhere those bike pad capsules (pods?). You don’t need complete contact between the liner and your scalp, and those pods create that point-of-contact stand-off distance. The hardhat should fit your head, not necessarily snugly, but it shouldn’t shift or jostle around either.

I wanted to throw a shout out to Sandpoint, Idaho, baseball team. They were great sports and stayed positive throughout the State tournament. What was really impressive was that even in the face of committing errors and grinding out wins, they never got negative towards their teammates, opponents, or umpires. Too many teams would have folded and starting incessant harping. Very enjoyable to work with teams that keep a tough mental mindset and focus on playing the game right!

I'm actually the other way around. I've always umpired softball - fast and slow pitch. I have dipped my toe into the baseball game in the last couple of years - mostly doing the 10U around here where there are no balks, they have to hold the bag until the ball crosses the plate, etc, so for me, there wasn't a lot new to learn. Biggest differences I noticed. My strike mechanic. In softball, the mechanic is the hammer. I "outed" myself on the first strike call because I didn't turn and point for the strike call. I called the strike "down" in my stance, stood and gave a crisp hammer. USA Softball umpire manual for this year gives mechanics, but you should review the manual for your chosen alphabet https://www.usasoftball.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/120/2026/02/USA-2026-Umpire-Manual-1.pdf Pitching rules would be one thing to familiarize yourself with. Plate umpire gets "timing" type things (double touches, etc.) while the base umpires take care of the footwork (replants, etc.). There are no "balks" in softball, but you can call an illegal pitch which is a delayed dead ball and see how it goes, then apply the penalty (as necessary depending on how it played out). Also, the "look back rule" which in USA is 8.7.T. That one is always incorrectly applied or misunderstood. I don't know why, but it is. DP/FLEX players is a fast pitch nuance that also gets confusing but is overall not complex. A seasoned pro like yourself should pick it up Thrown ball out of play is always two bases from the time of the throw no matter where it came from or if it's the initial play or not. Other standards like infield fly, uncaught third strike, interference, obstruction are really the same. Overall, depending on what you want to call (fast, modified, slow) and which association/alphabet code is available in your area, grab a rulebook and an umpire manual and get out there and have fun. There are dual sport umps here that can give you much better advice, but those are top of mind for me. Edit: This is the high school section so you're obviously talking about school ball. What I said is still relevant

After many years, I am honored and humbled to have been chosen as the plate umpire and crew chief for the Class 4A Oregon Baseball State Final game to be held on Saturday June 6. I would like to state that even though I am a rare poster on this site, the knowledge that I have learned from all of the members here have helped me achieve this goal. Special shout out to Warren for starting this site many years ago to fill a void in our umpire’s community.

Luggage issues or the clubbie put his pants in with the bleach load. I was watching at a bar with the sound off so I didn't hear the commentary.

Greetings, I'm starting at the Little League and Cal Ripken levels. I hope to add high school and AAU at some point in the distant future. With that in mind, I'm hoping to land on a set of equipment that I won't feel the need to upgrade in a year or two. Judging from how much equipment some of you folks have, this might be a fool's errand. I don't mind spending significantly more money if comfort or safety is an issue with my picks below. With that in mind, here is the current list of equipment I am planning to purchase, all from the Gerry Davis site (any discount codes available?): Chest Protector: Davis DX Mk2 Skull Cap: All-Star Cobalt Mask: All-Star S7 Leg Guards: Force3 Ultimate I'll do some more research on ball bags and indicators, but these seem like minor expenses in comparison so I'm not as concerned about making the wrong choice. Thank you in advance.

How about "not understood at all"?? Cost me a shot at a potentially lasting relationship. You'd think that baseball would be the more... "tempestuously discussed / argued" of the two batsports, but I'll tell ya... when I was studying and researching to take an umpire supervisor position in softball (that I didn't ultimately perform), the amount of discussions / appeals / challenges / arguments by softball coaches to or upon umpires was 2-3 times more frequent. Holy crap. I was actually going to recommend delineating a spot near the ODH circle for a coach to stand if/when they had an issue to interact with the umpire(s) about. If your baseball's "game management" definition includes "bench jockeying", then you'll quickly realize – softball's chants and orchestrated "team support" is at a whole different level.

If there was ever a picture of throwing raw meat into a pond full of piranhas, stating that the frames are going on sale would be it around here.

Apparently, the delivery service MLBU uses did not show up in time for the game, according to Dan Hayes. The truck did arrive later, and they changed into MLB-approved pants between innings. (Just in time for Baker to eject the Twins manager.) And this isn't the first time this has happened (see here). I'm about 99% sure the plate pants he was wearing were not smitties, based on the texture- maybe the old fechheimers? Still better than nothing.

Don't skimp on the gear because it's "soft"ball. I do a lot of community youth FP and the ball finds flesh just as easily as in baseball. Armor up

Hey everybody 👋🏼, @834k3r’s son’s HS baseball ⚾️ team won its class’s Idaho State Championship!! Emphatic congratulations to the young man, his teammates, and Beaks’ family!!

Thanks, Mike--your crew called a great tournament!

Maybe @DerekGDS could give you an idea of how long the backorder wait will be. There's also a guy--several of us have used him--that will powdercoat your mask whatever color you want (I had one in carolina blue for a couple of years).

I have an XL AS Skully, the GD Mirage, and a UL harness--have have 0 issues removing the mask, or keeping it on. Works together perfectly.

My only thought was from my own experience with LL. Lighter mask makes all the difference (I started with a F3 Defender mask) and dropping the skully was to try to reduce overall cost.

That's a pretty solid list. The only change I would consider is moving up from the AS mask to a more solid frame, but only from personal choice. From a cost standpoint, I'd say that's a great starting point and offers great value for the money. Personally, I'd keep the skull cap. I value it as much as my mask. It's one more level of protection against concussions. You only have one brain, protect it.

Personally, since you're starting with LL/CR games, I'd drop the skull cap and instead spend a bit more and get the Davis Mirage mask (don't forget the pads and pad socks!). Don't forget plate shoes--and I think you'll find a near 50/50 split between Mizuno and NB shoes. Seems to me that most people find the 3N2 plate shoes either heavy or having unsatisfactory protection. Regardless of what you end up getting, welcome to the club!

I have it on good authority that they purchased these. MLB gives the umpires $$$ per year (a few hundred) to use towards Mizuno products and they can purchase what they prefer. It sure feels like MLB is pretty frugal with their expenses and is not handing much out for free.

Congratulations and best wishes for a clean game!

As somebody who does both baseball and softball: Get ready to learn new sets of rules. I dipped a toe into rec softball after moving next to a park, and didn't realize how much I didn't know until I got high school certified for both baseball and softball last year. (I had done LL baseball pretty heavily for about seven years, and learned major differences in baseball codes.) Obstruction, for one, is penalized very differently. OTOH learning LL baseball mechanics tends to help with softball.

Hey all, If you want pieces of XRD I can sell you pieces of XRD....foam that gets hard on impact. Email me tim@thighpro.com for more info.

It affected the whole(?) crew. All 3 BUs were wearing team pants (as in, not umpire pants; and they weren't all the same!* ), and unnumbered, generically-sized convertibles / pullovers, with the Armed Forces Weekend hats (which are totally dope, IMNSHO). I don't think those were their typical base shoes, either, cuz both #25 and #85's cases, I think those were either personal "workout" shoes, or by sending someone to Scheels on the quick to get**. I've never seen #25 wear Hokas before. I'm surprised that #8 had his plate gear... that, or I'm doubly impressed that someone managed to find plate pants to cover the gear that is likely stashed in the umpire room at each ballpark. I've been reviewing the footage from the game, and unless my eyes deceive me, I think #8 is using a black-framed Icon Ti... with Davis Core&Socks pads??!! Could it be true??? * - I'm sure there's more than one current-NCAA / ex-MiLB umpire who is loading up the CrapWagon regarding: - how having mismatching pants, even in these circumstances, is a "bad look", and a demerit - how having too much white on the base shoes is a demerit - how not arriving at the ballpark, with all your gear, in a timely manner to prevent even these sort of occurrences is a demerit

Coach: Can I appeal that? Option one: "Coach, you aren't that appealing. No." Option two: "After review, the call on the field stands. Coach has no more remaining challenges." Building on @wolfe_man and @beerguy55's comments . . . If you are the correct umpire for them to go to, make them explain WHY they want you to go to your partner. Step 1: Coach, what did you see? Step 2: What elements do you think I missed? Step 3: Why do you think I missed it? These are viable questions that can have reasonable answers. We all know it is difficult to see a pulled foot from C (particularly on softball or small fields where you work outside). Since we all know that one, there is no reason to shut a coach down on that one, but we still need to make them vocalize it. Coach could say, "I saw the tag miss the runner. Given your position, I think you were straight-lined and it looked like a missed tag when it wasn't. Could you ask for another set of eyes on that?" If there is no reason to grant the request, be clear in your answer. "Coach, I had a good angle and was right on top of it. My partner was all the way over there, so I'm keeping this one." Unless the coach is a total D, I have started leaving those conversations with "That's one I'd like to see on replay, too. I'm pretty sure I got it, but I'd like to know." This opens that door to let them know we WANT to get it and we aren't just being stubbornly argumentative. Yes, you have to be careful with that. Don't use it with a coach you don't know or one who is just looking for ways to get under your skin.

"Based on when the ball was declared dead, each runner should receive two bases. (baserunner scores, hitter at third)." This would never be the case. It would be time of pitch for your sit. If the fielder had complete possession and dropped the ball and it was kicked/deflected out of play it would be time of deflection or drop.

Nice review! My two cents: For the All-Star if you find it slipping I recommend getting another set of pads and mixing two sizes. I'm a 7-3/8 and in theory the large should fit me, but the large slips, but the medium is too tight. M/L mixture is PERFECT for me. As for the looks, no, it doesn't look great, but I think the padding is the best of any other option, so I'll take (perceived anyway) improved protection and comfort (again, my perception) over looks. I don't notice the weight or have venting problems with the UmpLife harness (I did have them with the DeltaFlex, because that harness is designed for catchers, so when you wear the mask forwards the DF covers the vent holes - that's not an issue with the UL, but overall I do like the DF harness better because I think it slips less.) I'm pretty certain the shell of the AS is the same size no matter what padding you get. Mentioning that only because this issue was mentioned on the Rawlings. I'd REALLY love if Gerry Davis and/or @MadMax come out with a true UMPIRE skull cap - with great padding made for umps, but until I can consider that option I'm sticking with the All-Star and recommending it to all my partners. Overall what I love to see, no matter which one, is so many of us using skull caps now!