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For anyone who has been waiting for a silver frame, it will be available late December/early January.

This is why I run the 2 minute off the belt timer and the 2:30 off of a stopwatch. I can pop the belt timer after the 3rd out, and pause the stopwatch when making my substance checks on the incoming pitcher.

If there is no visible clock, the umpire keeping the timer should be informing the plate umpire when there is 30 seconds remaining (40 is better), and then 15 seconds remaining. When the 30 second signal is given, and then again at 15 seconds, the plate umpire should inform the pitcher, catcher and batter with a clear verbal announcement. This puts everyone on notice equally. I've yet to see a disparity in bullpen locations that creates much of an advantage for one team over the other. A few seconds shouldn't matter. Start the 2:00 clock at at the end of the half inning, but stay alert to see if a new pitcher is entering. If there is, then restart the clock at 2:30 when they cross the warning track.

As a "Dual Knee Replacement" recipient, I can HIGHLY suggest something that had worked for me. Walk on a treadmill .....BACKWARDS. Someone had mentioned this to me years ago, and it worked. Something all medically scientific and stuff about how it helps to strengthen the jigaments and tendonloins around the knee.

Me likey.

Based on my experience in dissection, anything suitable for memory foam cleaning should be suitable for Zorbium, I would think.

Thanks @MadMax !!! I'm assuming you are using the Shear3 more than the Cloud4 (or maybe I'm wrong) but can you comment on the Cloud4 vs. the All-Star Mag pads - any preference with the Mirage12 - I'm just debating with myself whether to add the Cloud4 pads in addition to the Shear3 (I have two Mirage12 masks so I can put one set of pads on each). I'm going to use the Shear for HS games (kids around here are throwing in the high 80s low 90s), but for the 14U and below games I was debating between the Cloud4 and ASMags. Thanks again for your always helpful posts!

There was a "sudden death" type of extra inning in the Frontier League. The 10th inning was regular international tie breaker, the 11th, they would have a plate meeting, home team would get to pick either offense or defense. They would then start with a runner at 1st, and it was either get 3 outs or score the run, who ever did what first wins.

Even A YelloW Slug Can Be A Classic So I took on rebuilding an old Wilson WV Gold for a colleague who was introduced and has been smitten by the new Davis DX -family of CPs. We had him using and trialing one all summer. While he was using the DX, we arrived at the conclusion that I'd update / renovate his current Gold, and this is what I took it to... Since he's a Dodgers fan (ouch), I recommended something evocative of the Dodgers. I would not be able to replace the pad vest; I don't have an industrial sewing machine. His biggest appreciation of the Davis DX (theta unit he was trialing) was how low profile it was, especially at the shoulders T-hooks are evil and vile; G-hooks are the best solution. Took the entire carapace apart by removing all rivets, splines, and metal hardware. I went further, and rendered the seams connecting the main torso vest to the shoulder pauldron pads, since you'll see that I actually reconstruct each and every CP that cheats like this with an actual connecting spline. I also rendered the seams connecting the (far too plump) pec wings. Repainted it a dark grey (road greys!), and then rebuilt it, using nylon and polypropylene webbing, with royal blue rivets. Where I used aluminum Chicago screws, these are in spots where there's a lot of stress and/or the CP may need to be (further) modified, or that part repaired/replaced. From the backside, you'll see that I completely removed and deleted the terrible shoulder pauldron pads which, because they're way too thick and oversized, make the Gold look so bulky and hulking. Instead, I made my own shoulder pauldron pads from the unused (and superfluous) pauldron flaps from Schutt-Adams XV's. Half the thickness, half the weight, and because that's actual D3O you see (the orange color), much better performing. Also, because they're articulated, they conform to the shoulder perfectly instead of just sitting atop the shoulder like the Gold's sofa-cushion foam pads did. Detail on the reconstruction of the shoulder assembly. I run a 2" wide (at least) connecting spline between the shoulder arch plate and the pauldron plate. Then, the ailette (gap protector) is secured atop that. Rivets fasten the individual plates to the connecting splines, but the splines are always connected to the shoulder arch plate with Chicago screws, both to survive any stresses, and also for potential repositioning or repair ease. Almost done. I completely removed all the hardware associated with the T-hooks, and constructed two 1-1/2" webbing loops so as to utilize G-hooks You might also notice that there are now 3 rivets at the trailing section of the shoulder arch plate, so as to secure the D-ring thru which the harness is attached. Golds and Platinums typically use only 1 rivet (each side), and these D-rings have a very bad habit of turning within their webbing. By using more than 1 rivet, this keeps the webbing flat, and the D-ring cannot turn. Improves the fit. Completed unit, with the G-hooks placed on the harness, and secured into the anchor loops.

Even A YelloW Slug Can Be A Classic So I took on rebuilding an old Wilson WV Gold for a colleague who was introduced and has been smitten by the new Davis DX -family of CPs. We had him using and trialing one all summer. While he was using the DX, we arrived at the conclusion that I'd update / renovate his current Gold, and this is what I took it to... Since he's a Dodgers fan (ouch), I recommended something evocative of the Dodgers. I would not be able to replace the pad vest; I don't have an industrial sewing machine. His biggest appreciation of the Davis DX (theta unit he was trialing) was how low profile it was, especially at the shoulders T-hooks are evil and vile; G-hooks are the best solution. Took the entire carapace apart by removing all rivets, splines, and metal hardware. I went further, and rendered the seams connecting the main torso vest to the shoulder pauldron pads, since you'll see that I actually reconstruct each and every CP that cheats like this with an actual connecting spline. I also rendered the seams connecting the (far too plump) pec wings. Repainted it a dark grey (road greys!), and then rebuilt it, using nylon and polypropylene webbing, with royal blue rivets. Where I used aluminum Chicago screws, these are in spots where there's a lot of stress and/or the CP may need to be (further) modified, or that part repaired/replaced. From the backside, you'll see that I completely removed and deleted the terrible shoulder pauldron pads which, because they're way too thick and oversized, make the Gold look so bulky and hulking. Instead, I made my own shoulder pauldron pads from the unused (and superfluous) pauldron flaps from Schutt-Adams XV's. Half the thickness, half the weight, and because that's actual D3O you see (the orange color), much better performing. Also, because they're articulated, they conform to the shoulder perfectly instead of just sitting atop the shoulder like the Gold's sofa-cushion foam pads did. Detail on the reconstruction of the shoulder assembly. I run a 2" wide (at least) connecting spline between the shoulder arch plate and the pauldron plate. Then, the ailette (gap protector) is secured atop that. Rivets fasten the individual plates to the connecting splines, but the splines are always connected to the shoulder arch plate with Chicago screws, both to survive any stresses, and also for potential repositioning or repair ease. Almost done. I completely removed all the hardware associated with the T-hooks, and constructed two 1-1/2" webbing loops so as to utilize G-hooks You might also notice that there are now 3 rivets at the trailing section of the shoulder arch plate, so as to secure the D-ring thru which the harness is attached. Golds and Platinums typically use only 1 rivet (each side), and these D-rings have a very bad habit of turning within their webbing. By using more than 1 rivet, this keeps the webbing flat, and the D-ring cannot turn. Improves the fit. Completed unit, with the G-hooks placed on the harness, and secured into the anchor loops.

Having had knee pain most of my adult life (even predating an MCL strain, unrepaired ACL, and recent meniscus and cartilage removal surgery) I love you are thinking this way. Getting stronger is the long term answer (arthritis aside - I somehow have escaped that one). A good PT is a great place to start. A good one, in my non credentialed opinion, is one that will focus on progressive strength training (vs primarily focused on constant and endless stretching). I have seen a few different PTs and gotten materials from across the interwebs to formulate what I think is right for me. It's worked well enough that my post surgery PT and Dr appointments were 5 minutes - I was beyond the (low) bar of measurement they use to "return to normal activities". My daily routine to build my strength back up is lunges, RDLs (not a fan of straight deadlifts at 40+), box touchdowns, and calf raises. I'm slowly ramping up from body weight to added weight before resuming gym weightlifting (leg extensions, ham curls, squats, leg press, bulgarian squats, etc.) Again, that's what's worked for me but my universal advice is to find what works for you, go slow, and drop all ego to focus on good form. Good luck.

The color scheme scratches the right Giants fan itch for me.