Big Red

I've noticed the same problem with my PWs from U-A. I have four pair of Honig's PW pants (two plate, two base)...2 sets are 4+ years old, other 2 are almost 2 years old. I wash them during the season (gentle cycle w/ Woolite, drip dry) and dry clean them at the end of the season. Still look like new and no pilling whatsoever. I bought two pair from U-A this year (plate/base)...halfway into the season both have pilling, particularly in the front, and they are worn the same/get the exact same TLC as the Honigs variety. I was wondering about this and now see it is not an isolated issue. They are great pants, but I was always under the impression they were of the same material/manufacturer as the Honigs PW. Shame too as I will avoid Honigs if at all humanly possible and would prefer to deal with U-A. Curious if Jim is aware of this and what may be causing it.

Noticed those are NCAA references and didn't recognize the Marucci Black bats as being on the FED list. Maybe those haven't trickled down yet to NFHS, but attached links show only the Reebok Vector TLS 32" & 33" models, and Marucci CAT 5 and CAT 5-2 33" models as decertified for NFHS use. Additionally, we've received clarification from TASO on RIP-IT bats (BBCOR sticker being placed on the taper vice barrel of the bat). http://www.nfhs.org/content.aspx?id=8394&terms=decertified%20bat http://www.nfhs.org/content.aspx?id=6655&terms=decertified%20bat http://www.nfhs.org/uploadedFiles/NFHS_Home/Athletic_and_Fine_Arts_Activities/Baseball/ContentPages/Online2012Batdecertificationmemo.pdf http://www.intra-focus.com/TASO/7AE8695A-65BE-CC3C-1AC73E18D1EB879B.htm

My bad Jeff...I just saw the thread dumbdumb mentioned. I've been working games/busy the last 13 days and haven't been on the site until lately...checked mechanics and professional sections, not that one. I reckon all those fans are right...I am blind!! Anyway, I agree...NO re-hashing of this one! So, I have no heartburn with, and will even ask a mod to delete this thread. Thanks.

This is from a spring training game on 19 Mar...didn't see this posted previously anywhere else, which actually surprises me with all the eagle-eyed baseball fanatics here. Of course, given the discourse in a related thread, I even hate to go there with this, but what-the-hey...I know I've never seen this in a MLB game before, albeit a spring training game. What really gets me is Roenicke's comment that they used to do this "all the time in the Minor Leagues." I've been to a lot of MiLB games over the years, A thru AAA and never saw this....maybe some others here have. Good on McClelland and Joyce for keeping the game moving. Shame the injury to Buckminster...wish him a speedy recovery. As the article points out, Brewers were rough on the PU that week. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130319&content_id=42990156&c_id=mlb

Good evening fellas. I've always worn a Platinum and have been real happy with it for the most part, especially after installing a DF harness. Only concern I have stems from having a 46" chest and 54" shoulders...I'm not as protected in the pec, shoulder, upper arm area as I'd like. So, have had my eye on a Gold and got one last year after finding a great deal. I wore it just a couple of games....protection was great, but between my dimensions and the padding on this thing, felt like I was ready to put a football helmet on again. Saw this thread, corresponded with Sheilah and shipped it off 8 March. She told me it would probably be around 10 April before they could get it back to me, and that my account would be charged when it shipped. Hats off to Sheilah and Team Wendy as I saw the charge hit my card last Wednesday, and Friday afternoon it was delivered! Extra kudos as I asked them if they could add an extra inch of padding at the bottom and they did just that. Cost was a little more than previously posted...$130 shipped. Not sure if that was from the extra material, new prices or both. It does weigh a bit more, but the profile difference and protection will more than make up for that...these are the same folks who make the padding we wear in our military ACHs (Advanced Combat Helmets), and I can assure you they work, as can those who wear TW pads on their masks (me included). As someone requested and Timothy did previously, I'll get some pictures in the next coupla days wearing it with both the original pads and the TW pads. Here are the pics of it as received. Of course, I'll be putting a DF harness on it as well.

^^^^^^^^

What is wrong with you guys?!? It is totally real and I know it's real because I found it on the internet. And everybody knows they can't put anything on the internet that isn't true!! Obviously it's staged...too many giveaways, such as the cupholder for one, but least of which is it's a commercial for Pepsi and they have admitted to using another driver and practice runs (check out the tire marks from previous runs). Pax is probably an actor...I told the wiff if that had been real, he would've had a stroke or something!! But, it was well done and still dam funny!

Not baseball, but this is so incredibly hilarious I had to share. My other 0.5 showed it to me this morning and I was laughing so hard I could hardly breathe. Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5mHPo2yDG8

Thanks for bringing these up...they have been mentioned in other posts, and I personally wear them (I exclusively use a box-style stance in the slot, very similar to Dale Scott). However, don't think for a minute they are the be-all, end-all to bruises! I took a shot near to the top of my thigh the other day, which hit right on the padding of these shorts. Still felt it and still got a bruise, but they do lessen/mitigate the impact, so it was not near as bad had I not been wearing them, which is what they are designed to do as they are soft padding only. There is a version of these made which is the longer, compression pants variety; however, found that McDavid is not producing either of them anymore. Honigs has them on close-out and as you posted, they can still find be found on Amazon and other sporting good outlets.

Good idea gnhbua...will do that on my other/any future gear.

Sdix/all, Here are two, with the first being most relevant... http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/topic/5424-running-lane-violation/ http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/topic/31738-runners-lane/ Great job hawk and congrats!

+1 I would add that I use Woolite as I don't want to risk anything with the padding using heavier detergents. Not just that, but I find the Woolite rinses out easier than other detergents I've tried. Not saying Tide or something along those lines doesn't work, just my routine...YMMV. During weekend tourneys where I can't clean them, I allow it to air dry then spray with Lysol, then Febreze (sport formula)...keeps them tolerable until I can clean 'em. Other than that, I do all this in the sink or outside, not in a washing machine. As the tags on the padding indicate, I would not completely submerge them. A buddy of mine put his in the washer, then the dryer. He had a helluva time putting them back on as they shrunk and not just that, the padding doesn't feel as robust as previously, or compared to mine. Feels like it was permanently compressed. And I've had my Platinum for 3+ yrs now working majority of games in S. Tx heat/humidity...pads still going strong. Only negative is the rivets holding everything together have rusted, despite regular cleaning/maintenance and even coating with WD-40 consistently. A guy I know who does sheet-metal work says he can replace with stainless steel...the rub is getting the old ones out w/o disforming the plastic. We'll see.

C’mon man, haven’t you heard?!? There’s no crying in baseball! No crying! Seriously, great post. As NFUA mentions, it can all be boiled down to simply having that passion for baseball. I’ve had the honor/privilege to play, coach and now umpire it. And for me, the deeper aspect behind all that goes to my dad. Of all the people I’ve known/encountered, I’ve never seen anyone more honorable than my father. He served his country for 28+ years and until I served myself, I had never appreciated what an incredible man, husband, father, officer, athlete and leader he was/is. He was a pitcher in HS with a wicked knuckleball…his love/passion for the game was obvious, even today. He was recruited heavily by college scouts, but chose a path to serve his country. I was blessed to be adopted by a great man/woman…he passed on what he knew/loved of baseball and no matter what he had to do, he was there for almost every one of my practices and games. Of course, the fondest memories I have are those times where we simply played catch, where the world disappeared and he took advantage of my interest to pass on life’s lessons. I can still remember what he was wearing some of those times, 25-30 yrs later. And that knuckleball, holy crap…I felt as if I had conquered the world when I would catch that thing. As with most, we had our differences as I transitioned the teenage years. Much to his chagrin, I turned away from baseball in HS after getting caught up in Texas HS football fever and Friday night glory. But, he was always there and supported me in everything…baseball, football or motocross (can’t say the same for my mom on that one!). Yet, in the worst of times and since, baseball was always the glue that held us together. I always think of that when I see that scene in “City Slickers†where Daniel Stern is talking about connecting with his father via baseball. My dad served two tours in Vietnam (one above-&-beyond in order to exempt his younger brother from having to go) and was exposed to Agent Orange multiple times. As such, I now helplessly watch the related cancer he has destroying him and his mind…his VA doctors give him less than a year to live. This is a guy who once built his own TV from scratch in the 70’s, and played both baseball and fast-pitch softball on several AF base teams (back in the day)…now, he can’t balance a checkbook, can’t walk without assistance and can’t remember a conversation from 5 minutes ago. My mom and I try hard not to get frustrated with him as we work through their affairs, and at times it gets contentious. Yet again, ironically with the tables now turned, baseball remains the one thing that brings us all back to our “happy place†and rights the world, and even if for a moment, clears his mind and erases the pain/fear. Recently, I was driving him to a VA appointment and an ad came on the radio for Baylor baseball. Despite his dementia and being doped on morphine, he suddenly asked if I remembered going to a Baylor game back in the mid 80’s. I was dumbfounded to listen to him recall that game with such clarity and detail. Longest conversation we’ve had in months. As then, and now recalling it, I get misty-eyed. I know, I know…no crying! Perhaps my best moment is when my dad told me he was proud of me umpiring. My one wish, which diminishes each day, is that he could come see me call one game, to confirm what he’s ingrained in me to the benefit of this timeless institution that has held us together through all these years. To proudly show the drive he inspired, which I now use as an umpire to compete with myself and with perfection. To that end, I too have sat up for hours at night, and thought for days, despairing over a missed/booted call…even in a scrimmage. And the camaraderie I find/treasure in the military, or as a former police officer is the same I find on the field. I firmly believe all are professions and in each case, when the crap hits the fan, the world around you is losing their minds and we are violently cast into the fish bowl, the honor/satisfaction is found in those bonds of service when you only have each other to prevail and restore order. I wear my umpire uniform as proudly as my military uniform, with the same attention to detail (I have at least two of each shirt…one fitted for plate, one for bases) and maybe a li’l prouder since I display the flag on my umpire shirt that I can’t on my AF uniform. I maintain my fitness as much to exemplify working the game as I do to perform my military duties. As a kid playing catcher, I dreamed of playing in the bigs catching for Charlie Hough or Nolan Ryan…that kid still comes out every now and then when I’m on the field and between innings; I’ll drift away for a moment and imagine I earned the privilege to work game 7 of the WS. I work each game as if I am and I get a high being on the field I don't find elsewhere. I umpire to honor the game for all involved…past, present and future, but particularly for my dad who will always be with me on the field and for what he brought to this life and the game. Please forgive me the long and sentimental post, but many thanks for allowing me to share.

"...and I owe you for coming to XX LL,..." Besides, makes no difference to the EJ & the actions that led to it. Good EJ Lou...this guy ran himself & you just punched his ticket. Great to see the support you are getting from the league/board with immediate feedback like that. Rare.

Had a nagging afterthought to the above discussion regarding interference on a steal of home and realized what it is. IF the pitcher disengages the rubber, thus becoming an infielder, and throws home to retire the runner, then the previously mentioned situation (batter stepping into the throw) would be interference, same as if the batter had hit the thrown ball (not a pitch).