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Anybody can ask for time, players, coaches, managers. It is up to the umpire to grant the time request. Umpires should only grant time when play is considered relaxed. Relaxed is typically when any play is over, the offense is not trying to advance, and the defense is not trying to put anyone out. Usually when having only one umpire, calling time lets him get back into position without the risk of missing something when his back is turned to the field. In this case, seemed like the proper procedure, but I wasn't there. Did anything come of it? Arguments, or just play on? And this is a byproduct of 8u tournaments. Coaches do not know the rules, or bother to learn them. However, there could be a tournament rule that says this. Knowing the rules, and any modifications is incumbent upon managers, coaches, and umpires. Another however, often at the lower levels, you won't get the most experienced umpires. And shame on the tournament for being too cheap to pay for 2 umpires.

Jacksonville St vs UVA. R1/R2. Pitcher does an inside move, takes two stutter steps and lobs it to F4. Clock violation called by U3 and UVA's head coach is ejected. Pollard EJ.mov

Under Objectives of the Game (OBR Rule 1): 1.02 The offensive team’s objective is to have its batter become a runner, and its runners advance. 1.03 The defensive team’s objective is to prevent offensive players from becoming runners, and to prevent their advance around the bases. Getting the umpires to help you fulfill one of the objects of the game is a no-no and umpires should not succumb to it. Stop them yourself. Younger ages have rules in place to account for differences from the adult game. One of them is no leading off on 60 foot basepaths (or stealing would be pretty much a non-competitive play). There is no reason for an umpire to call time for the defense to stop runners when the rules proscribe a specific way to do it. This problem takes care of itself as the kids get older. Play on larger diamonds makes it a much riskier play for the offense to test the defense in close quarters.

There are 3 essential components to the equation to solve this problem; we (umpires) have control over 2 of them. The third is under the control of gentlemen like @beerguy55 and @Coach Carl, but I concede, it is highly variable. The first element, and most immediate and direct, is to not call Time. Stop. Deny (the request, the urge, the temptation, etc.). Resist. Hold fast. Stick to it. Respond to the “requests” with: “No.” ”Nope” ”(You) don’t need it.” ”Nah” ”No need” ”Noppity noppity nooooo.” In 94% of cases, our granting of Time is a concession, not a compulsion. In the professional game, the protocol – note, not codified rule – is to call Time, not only to change the baseball (cuz they gots plenty), but because the slightest twitch can result in an Out or an Advanced base, “needlessly”. That’s not part of the “professional game”. This isn’t the case of amateurs, especially of single-digit-age tots. They should be able to throw a ball 10-15 feet, they should be able to catch said ball, they should be able to get themselves up to their feet from a on-butt or on-knees position, and if you say, “but they’re still learning!”, then I’ll immediately counter with, “And experience is the best way to learn!” The second element is we need Tournament Directors / Site Supervisors / League Admin who will reinforce us and this perspective, rather than kowtow to the bleating, “outraged” coaches, and sabotage us. Games are snappier, with more action, and more experiential learning, than being halted every. two. seconds. because. we. need. time. called. to. give. two. thousand. frenzied. signs. to. an. infield. who. doesn’t. know. exactly. what. to. “do”. anyway. Coach, you and I, and everyone here know it’s going to be R2-&-R3 in one pitch, regardless of if you have “a play” on or not. Heck, it’ll likely be R2, with a run scored cuz that pitch… vooooop! <clink> … just went over my head clean to the backstop. Didn’t have that play “on”, didja? But truly, we need TDs and admins to hold the line, and reply, “That’s the way it is.”, not with, “I’ll talk to him (the umpire)”, or, “Yeah, he’s a stickler about that.”, or, “He won’t be doing your games in the future.” Those replies tolerate and coddle those coaches. Which attribute directly to the third element… Which is, coaches must stop coaching this (the granting of time) as an entitlement, an expectation, and as a counter-tactic (to aggressive base running). It is not benefitting their charges (kids), nor is it benefitting the game.

7. I had this problem initially too. Once I stopped going straight up and instead tilted the buckle a bit to the outside while lifting, the problem stopped. The bottom of the buckle doesn’t catch on the bottom of the loop if you tilt towards the outside. Give it a try.

FWIW, Ok, I did it. I bought an Enduro to replace my Wilson. Got it an hour ago. Mostly influenced by this group as I am not a gear hound. Everything else I have owned 5 plus years and I started switching new gear in over the past year and a half. Got this for summer ball and higher level ball, but also as an incentive to get back on the field next year. I will only get to wear it two or three times for the rest of my season. I think I am set for a while. First impressions and comparisons from my perspective/fit. I know some of these have been discussed in earlier threads but this is what comes to mind as I have my hands on one and not imagining it. 1. Enduro is roughly a pound heavier than the Wilson. 2. Enduro is much more denser in padding. 3. 12" Enduro is actually an inch or two lower than the 12" Wilson covering more of my stomach. Can only say I have been hit there once, but it was recent and I was thinking of exchanging for the 14". I don't think I will now. 4. Enduro actually covers my collar bone better than the Wilson did. Different pad shape is what I attribute it to as I have my Wilson as tight as the Enduro. 5. The straps are comparable to the Umplife one on my Wilson. Not thinking about switching them at this point. 6. the side wings were not noticeable when I had them properly positioned. They were folded under and it took me a minute to realize they were not where they needed to be. 7. The one thing I wish was slightly larger is the G-Hooks receiving loop. Maybe its my dexterity, but, I sometimes struggle to unhook them. Not a returnable reason though. 8. Cant see much of difference in bulkiness, if at all. Maybe I need to tune it in. One of my bigger reasons of getting this was my summer experience of overheating, I will have to wait to figure out if what Derek, Max, and Wolfman says is true. I believe them, but until I experience it.... Two thumbs up! Can't wait to try it out.

Understood, Its a problem in most areas. However, if the pay was much better, and the abuse wasn't there, then we'd have lots more umpires. Sadly this is lost on most associations and organizations. JMO.

I'll let others go into more detail, but the main idea is to heat the plastic to where it's pliable and then reshape it to fit your body and hold it there, or restrict it in place somehow, while it cools and re-hardens. You are re-forming the hard plates to fit your shoulders and arms mostly. If you do it a few times; heating, shaping and then keeping in place while it cools - then you'll end up with a CP that fits tighter to you than one out of the box could ever fit. You can use a heat gun (preferred) or hair dryer (same results, but takes longer). Don't overheat or you'll lose the shape entirely, no puddling here please. The best method is slow and steady. Remember to remove the padding first so that you are only heating the plates. I've seen guys use hard objects (i.e. a basketball) to reform the chest plate and then tape the plate to it or maybe they would rubber band the shoulder parts around a football or something of the sort to get the plates to form better to their shoulders or arms. Some do heating, restricting and then put the CP into a freezer to 'flash-freeze' the cooling and do several cycles. There really is no right or wrong way as long as you end up with a CP that fits you better than you started with, but I recommend exercising patience and take it slow. It's easier to add more heat to make a CP more pliable, than it is to reshape a melted plastic plate.

Much lower level than you work, but in 10U I once had everyone ignoring me to the point that I was on the mound calling Time and only after I intercepted the throw from the OF to HP did everyone finally stop. LOL

I've seen a different angle of this play. U3 waits a beat to allow the PU to get it. When he doesn't, he comes up big with the foul call. It is just the fact that no one is paying attention to him. I have had a runner's lane interference call where as the plate umpire I ended up standing on the mound calling time for a solid 10 seconds before anyone ever paid any attention to me and I brought back two runners that scored out of the dugout and called the batter runner who was standing on 3rd out.

The Mk2 has EVA and some Covalta foam - whereas the Enduro is D3O. The D3O is a bit heavier and considered a more premium product for breathability and protection.