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I am using the AS UMP with a FM4000 MAG and a Nike TI Icon with TW pads. Both have standard harnesses on them. I have used this set up now for about 8-10 games. I actually like it more than I thought I would. I feel it’s better vented than a hat, the mask seems to sit better on the helmet, I like the short visor and I really don’t notice it once the game starts. I think I am sold. YMMV

My go-tos are below. Keep strengthening the entire chain (lower back all the way down to your ankles). Even without a right ACL and after meniscus surgery on that knee last year, strengthening has enabled me to no longer wear them. Lighter duty that can be worn as much as you like https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0055QNLR8?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_15&th=1 Heavier for activity (including games) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00598YBJY?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2&th=1

As long as I have a partner or partners and no one is on 3rd, sure, because I’m not calling time. What I’m getting at with the announce part is it’s very…little league to do the big, loud “TIME” announce and mechanic, everyone look here I’m going to clean the plate with a guy standing on 1st after a run scoring single. What would I be calling time for, exactly? Myself? I can be out of commission for 2-3 seconds. We don’t call time to get back to the plate on a caught fly ball with a runner on 1st. Why do I have to call time if I’m going to stop and clean the plate on said way back?

Like it says, I am just getting started in SE Michigan. My youngest daughter is starting her HS year, and just committed to play Softball in college. As I saw our time on the field starting to go away, I wanted to find a way to give back, so I thought I would give this a try. I got lucky and have a good friend who has been doing this for a while, and has offered to mentor me! I also found out about Battlefields to Ballfields from this forum, I was accepted this week, and placed the order for all of my gear today. If you are a Vet, definitely check this resource out (I served 23 years in the Army before retiring). The plan is to do some LL games this fall to get my feet wet, and my mentor said he could get me on a crew with him for some fall tournaments, so that will be nice. Hopefully by spring I will be ready for HS ball. Anyway, looks like a great forum, and I have a lot to learn!!

It will be three years this fall I couldn’t walk on the left knee. Torn MCL, got a cortisone shot. I stared strengthening exercises and, like you say, everything from back, core, to ankles, and bought the incrediware sleeves. They are my go to braces. I don’t do a game without them. They’re not cumbersome, and don’t ask my why or how, buy they work. sometimes the MCL feels it’s worse trying to to sleep. I can wear these overnight, and it provides relief and lets me sleep pain free when it acts up.

It has to be caught by the catcher in all rule sets.

I agree. They do have a lot invested in her, mostly from a PR standpoint, IMO. Almost a no win for MLB. I think that MLB may have painted themselves in a corner. If they release her, outrage will most assuredly erupt from the media. If they hire her and she doesn't develop/perform well, then that's some backlash MLB probably doesn't want either.

I'm not denying any of that. I'm merely stating that Pawol will almost definitely be one of the 7 new hires next year. What ever the reasoning is, or however people feel about why it will happen, is irrelevant to me. All I said that it's probably a good bet that she will be hired. However people want to interpret that is out of my hands. I never injected politics, nor did I state why I think she will be hired. I speak for myself, and until I do, people should not make assumptions about my positions. Not saying you made assumptions about me, I'm just generalizing and providing clarity.

Runner on third yes. Anywhere else, not necessary. I can clean the plate in five seconds, maybe not even. No need to announce to everyone that I’m doing it. Just grab your brush and quickly do it. I don’t need players going OK cool we have time on the field, let’s chat. We call time way too often in general. Unless it’s absolutely necessary, don’t. Encourage a lack of time.

At the bottom of the wiki umpire entry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umpire_(baseball) 70 John Bacon 41 Brock Ballou 65 Steven Jaschinski 61 James Jean 75 Edwin Jímenez 77 Austin Jones 39 Tyler Jones 56 Dexter Kelley 94 Jacob Metz 99 Felix Neon 30 Jonathan Parra 95 Jen Pawol 53 Derek Thomas 45 Willie Traynor stevetheump seems out of service

FED used to allow a foul tip to be caught by a fielder but that's changed to the catcher only. OBR has an interp that only allowsthe catcher to catch it.

I think even in FED the OP would be an out since the ball first hit the glove.. That said, it's not yet an out if the ball is trapped in the crook of the elbow. It become an out when it's controlled in the hand or glove.

I'm not very good at math. So, whatever is out there, is what I'll umpire.

Just please only promote those worthy of true MLB umpire material. It should be based scores and game-keeping ability, not anything else. I don't want to bring politics in here, but let it be merit-based... please.

And more exposed to rolling ankles when you hit raised (or mountainous) grass-dirt lips. I used to wear flat soles shoes exclusively off field. Got away from it with back/hip issues (that they probably had nothing to do with) but am now getting back to them now as my year winds down.

We may need to start another thread for skull caps, sorry for getting us off-topic gentlemen. I am thankful to each of you for sharing your input as I do find personal experience and feedback from peers to be the best form of information. This topic though is supposed to be for the Mirage, which is an excellent mask and is happily used and endorsed by myself and a host of you on here. Has anyone had one of these powder-coated any other color besides black, gunmetal or silver?

Yeah, I stick with the AS because I prioritize protection and I trust the pads AS uses more than the brim strips the other skull caps use. Adding in that the AS pads are washable is another attribute in its favor.

Thanks. Yes, this is why I keep using AS too... it just fits great and the washable padding is perfect. I may use the Axis Pro version instead though for my next one to have a longer brim vs. the hard-hat appearance of the umpire version. This is to avoid looking like the guy above or maybe like an equestrian rider in an equine competition (dressage anyone?).

Fit for me (for the alternatives) is: Easton EvoShield Rawlings If i recall correctly EvoShield had the most vents but I think its ugly. All-Star is superior in every way besides the shape compared to all of them though.

I've found the AS Cobalt skull to have better air flow than a hat.

This is precisely why I got the AS Skully--I hate sweat stains on my hat. In between half-innings, I'll take the skully off and hold it by the brim. If I don't, the first time I look down to make a lineup card change, sweat drips onto the lineup card. On sunny days, I don't notice the heat of the sun on my head as much with the skully--but I admit that could be recency bias.