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This is a very important insight. FIT. As a woman, I struggled to find a chest protector that could fit well and provide the protection I needed to ensure that I was not hurt when taking balls to the chest. Because of this, I settled on the All-Star Cobalt, which I would recommend to any woman looking to get into umpiring. Just a little something from the other side's perspective.

Well damn, that conversation went LEFT in a hurry!

COnsidering your metallic personality, I thought you like it because it was glued to you like a magnet.

One of the great customer service features of Ump attire is how easy they make returns, and how quickly you are credited for the return.

3rd time = HBP 4th time earns one more letter and allows four-letter words. 🤬 😉 I think it is absolutely reasonable to allow it and then give a little reminder, "I get it, but . . . " Those rules are intended to curb misbehavior. Reacting to pain and frustration (not anger) is not misbehavior.

Are you trying to say my man-boobs are why I like my Cobalt? 😋

It is MLB umpire Marvin Hudson's business. I'm not sure the scale that it is run on... but if it is a small business run by him... he's likely a little busy right now.

Last night I was umpiring a 15u game. In this division, there are 3 divisions of 15u based on skill. This game was the lowest skill level of the three. They play OBR, with High School balks, and equipment rules (bats, catchers helmets, etc.). Our association has been cracking down on language use this year. The pitching was not great, as can be expected, with one pitcher from the VT hitting several kids. In the fourth inning, the VT pitcher hits #29 in the hands for the THIRD time. He was hit once in the ankle, once in the back, and now the hands. While he is jumping around in pain, he exclaims "F***". Now by my associations and the local rules, I am to immediately eject him for using such language, but I decided on the spot that in this game and future games, players who have been hit for a third time may use some foul language while in immediate pain, as long as the language is not excessive or directed at anyone. Has anyone else done something like this?

to add more to Beerguy's reply....I think that is almost a standard play in some little league games I do!!

Is it still on Kindle? That’s how I used to view it and it worked well.

I've posted it before, but our state gives us a rule book and a case book every other year. Some of the clinicians receive a digital file with those and will have them bound together in a full size book, but then ask you for $20 for it anyway. I've bought it a few times because it is nice to have the rule and case play pages together and in bigger format. (Insert blind umpire joke here)

Same, except we don't get the manual. I do wish the case book and rule book were full size instead of miniature.

No. He can be put out on appeal (which is what causes a runner who left a base too soon on a batted ball caught in flight to be out out) by either touching the base he left too soon (1B in this case) with possession of the ball, or by tagging the runner. Since 2B wasn't the base he left early from, it wouldn't be a valid appeal.

I have done LL games with the same mindset. If its language blurted out not directed at me or another player, what do I care if little johnny has a potty mouth. At least he's using it not directed at someone other than the air around him or at himself maybe. Now I will say something to the player like watch your language. But if its used at a coach or another player or me. Different ballgame.

Only the third time? Forth time they are on their own.

Believe it or not, but many of them do. At least in the west here, most travel teams are still affiliated with local little leagues. They play travel ball, but still play LL for the very reason of possible advancing to the LL world series. There is nothing like that tournament. Not all the teams that advance to the Regionals or world series are like that, but many are. That Hawaii team of 2022 was flat out stacked. The Arizona team that lost to them in the West Regional finals, had never played LL before. They were a travel team that joined a LL just for the chance to compete. Any of those 4 teams coming out of the west that year, Hawaii, Arizona, So Cal, No Cal, could have won the WS. Those of us that have worked LL regionals and/or world series can tell you that the difference between the regular season teams and tournament teams that make it to the Regionals/WS, is night and day. Typically the teams that make it that far in LL are shadow travel teams. That's the way it has been for years, and that's the only way you can compete at that level. Like I said, there is no other tournament like that, and every 12 year old would dream for a chance to play there. You can't imagine the excitement and pageantry that surrounds that tournament, not to imagine the TV exposure.

Don't... mainly because NFHS mechanics are terrible.

I wonder if it even occurs to Williamsport, ESPN or the viewing public that the best 12U players do not even play LL Baseball? ~Dawg

My association gave us a case book, rule book and manual. I would never buy FED mechanics manual. Any high school association that you pay does to should supply at least the casebook and rulebook. Some HS associations use CCA mechanics so the manual wouldn’t be needed by some. And the CCA manual is free download I believe.

MOST of them are he ones that couldn't get out of it, and are clueless to the rules.

That was going to be my suggestion. I forget who it was, but somebody on here took an old shirt and had their tailor cover a pair of mask pads for a nice set of blue ones. I don't know about the durability, but I wouldn't think it would be terribly expensive because it is a small job.

Yup. Don’t. It’s a fool’s errand to put all that effort and resources into something that not only isn’t all that protective anyway, but if painted, isn’t going to last in that condition very long. Your best bet is either: Find pink pads on Amazon, eBay, or a holdout online retailer, or… Obtain some standard pads, and encase them in pink microfiber fabric.

@MadMax finally, found some time, and going to get this beast of a project created for @Slippery Fish. Mad max has given me some designs and I am ready to start retrofitting, while I am definitely going outside my comfort zone, I am looking forward to making this project successful and to the best of my ability!

Having had a few new experiences at different levels of ball recently, I want to throw a theory out there . . . "Where was it?" is not the question they are actually asking and they are asking it incorrectly. In a recent couple of games, I had catchers and batters asking me "Was that the bottom?" and "Was that the corner?" They weren't outright questioning my call, they were trying to dial in where my interpretation (or my view) of the zone was. They weren't arguing, they were just establishing where my zone was. If I called a ball that was painting an edge and high/low, they are asking to figure out which direction it missed in. That said, most of the levels that most of us work most of the time do NOT have that kind of acumen. They are not trying to calibrate, but are passively complaining because they have not learned how to calibrate the zone or how to ask the question. As @MadMax said, context.

And this guy is evaluating you?🤦 I don’t think I could have resisted a wise ass comment when he asked me about the ball to RF. I think my reply would have been…” If you had doubts about it being fair or foul, why didn’t you go out?

I think it’s a bi-product of guys doing the pivot rather than looking over the shoulder. The latter allows you to watch what’s going on in the outfield before you turn to look at the touch.

If it isn’t close enough to the line for your partner to go out on, there is no need for a signal.

Maybe, but neither of those scenarios make it into my pregames (though the OP may be working at a different level). To the OP: your partner isn't being picky, he's just being wrong. In a 2-man game, with BU in B and a ball hit to F4, BU has catch/no-catch. Why would BU give it up to PU when he's literally right there, and with the same angle as PU? Giving the fair mechanic on a ball 30 feet fair isn't necessary and as you said, your partner should assume it's fair unless and until you verbalize foul. I assume this wasn't a trouble ball since he didn't go out, so unless your partner hears either "Jim, it's a catch" or "Foul" then he should just be doing his job watching the touch at first and for possible obstruction.

#1. Sometimes SH*# happens. As PU, you have to recognize when it does. Once there was no call by BU, come out big and make the call. The last thing you want to do is have a no call which makes it look like neither of you saw it. #2. A little nit picky. Not sure why BU going out or pivoting makes a difference. Either he does or doesn’t shouldn’t matter, just react and cover as needed. As a side, this is your first playoff game? Your responses should have been, “OK THANK YOU”!!!

That is scary. My experience was just as uncertain. Had the angiogram the day after going to the ER. They told me they couldn't break through the blockage, but my body had produced what they call a collateral artery. So there was still blood flow, just not enough volume, so increased heartrate caused the discomfort. The sent me home on a large dose of thinners and said, don't exert, and we'll try again in 4 weeks and hopefully the thinners loosen up that clogged artery a little. Four weeks later I went into that procedure not knowing if it would work, or if I was going to end up with bypass surgery later that day. With the help of two skilled cardiologists, and the grace of God, they were able to unclog and get the stints in where needed. Side note... The technology is absolutely amazing. Have only local anesthesia, I was able to watch the whole thing unfold on the screen. Near the end, the Doc says, "OK, watch right here, we're almost through. You'll see the blood flow start when it opens up.". Super impressive. And lucky.

Have to give a big response to this comment. In the summer of 2008 I was going through a pre-screening for a previously scheduled procedure. Being a semi athlete raised in the 60's and 70's I was always taught to play through the pain. But, for some reason, when asked about any issues I responded that I don't want to come off as a pussy, but I've had some issues with chest pain at certain times. Couple of days later was getting a 6 way bypass. Wish I hadn't been such a play through the pain idiot. Could have dropped over on a baseball field. Listen to your body guys.

You’re reading too far into my question / statement. In this thread, I’m simply clarifying the sport and the possible event that caused the problem. Why? Because when we read “blunt force trauma” or “partially collapsed lung”, we immediately project “95+ MPH fastball” as the culprit, and the knee-jerk reaction is “I gotta go out and buy a $200 1” thick Wilson Gold with the MLB logo on it! Those are Big League speeds!” And that’s how they get you/us. Besides that, Wilson marketed the Gold, Platinum, and Charcoal as – and I quote – “fast pitch protectors” on their own website!! Those weasels didn’t refer to them, or categorize them as “baseball” protectors; oh no no, they called them “fast pitch” protectors. And then we come to find out that it wasn’t a ball afterall, but potentially a bat!!! Flung by a youth player!! Make no mistake, I’m not, in any way, minimizing or dismissing Eddie’s injury, or what type / level of ball he was calling. Instead, this just reinforces my own push, as a gear tinkerer / developer to implement my “riot shield” coverall for youth baseball ⚾️ and softball 🥎 umpires, and emphasize that we, more than ever, need to focus on fit, function, and features rather than bulk & logos. This happened in softball. Know what the number one challenge to getting more female umpires involved? Lack of well- or properly-fitted gear. So why aren’t we looking at producing better gear that can fit and adjust-to-fit a variety of body types? No, TMIB, I was not emphasizing “softball?!?” to be snide or show contempt or disdain for it; instead, it was to punctuate that in softball, too, BFT can and does occur…

100%! Hope you heal up quickly! I wasn't going to share this story, but this post hit home pretty hard. I play softball on Sunday nights, have for almost 30 years with this same team. About 3 weeks ago I was running the bases and when I crossed the plate I was huffing and puffing pretty good, my chest was a little tight, and my jaw started hurting. The symptoms went away after about 30 seconds, but I wasn't feeling too good. I finished the game and didn't say anything, it was the late game, so I got home about 11pm. I almost went to the ER, but like a good male, I ignored the symptoms and went to bed. I told myself that I would call the Doc in the morning and make an appointment. (BTW, my oldest son is a firefighter/EMT and was awake when I got home. He was pretty mad I didn't sat anything to him that night.) Anyway, woke up Monday morning and was getting ready to go to work, but I told myself that I was going to make the call. You know, to make an appointment and get checked out. Nothing doing, the nurse told me to get to the ER immediately. My youngest son drove me, got a front of the line pass, and they took me right in. After an EKG, blood work, and a stress test, the cardiologist told me that I wasn't going home today, and that I was more than likely getting some stents or bypass surgery, as I had significant blockage somewhere. Anyway, after 2 day in the hospital, I'm the recipient of 3 stents. One of the blockages was at 95%. Fortunately, no heart attack and no bypass surgery. Everyone at the hospital was very glad I didn't ignore the symptoms. So far feeling pretty good and was cleared recently to resume back to normal. I decided to take a few months off from umpiring. I'm on blood thinners and I'm not in the mood to take any shots to my body as the bruising would be awful and maybe dangerous. I haven't talked with my cardiologist about umpiring yet and the risks. I'll do that soon. Being a contractor, dealing with all sorts of aches and pains is par for the course, so I'm used to ignoring SH*#. Honestly, if it wasn't for the jaw pain, which I knew could be serious, I wouldn't have gone in. Yeah, listen to your body.

How come you didn't use the example of Hunter Biden getting a job with Burisma. Or is that not nepotism? Damnit, are we getting political again? I hate myself again!😁

That was always my frustration . . . coaches only look out for "their" team. They forget they need all the other kids to get that team and to have somebody to play against. I could never figure out the answer on how to provide incentive for them to not do that.