blue32

I got the Smitty's yesterday, and dropped them off to be hemmed today. I like the expandable waist, it's just like the GD's in that regard. I also liked the color, and the thinner material may help on those hot days, time will tell on that. The one thing I was disappointed to see though, was how skinny the width on the belt loops were. That was one thing I didn't really pay attention to when I ordered them. I prefer the wider loops that the GD's have. Looking forward to getting them back from the seamstress in a couple days to see how they feel on the field.

It's not free, but I would suggest you pick up the "Pitching Regulations and Balks" video that Jim Evans produced. It's well worth the money.

I have a majestic navy that has the open bottom for when I work the plate, but this year I bought long sleeve shirts in black and navy that I prefer much more on the plate. If you haven't tried a LS I highly recommend it. They are much more comfortable, and with an Under Armour cold gear shirt under it, you don't get cold at all. Up next on my wish list for the HS season next year is a plate coat. Hopefully I'll have one for next year, but I want to bust off a few pounds before I make the investment.

I hear ya, Nate, but call me a clean freak, because I have to wash whatever I have worn, even if I was on the bases in 40 degree weather, and the game was over in less than 90 minutes.

Isn't it 5 dozen per game?

Yep that was Robin Ventura. Ole Nolan had to teach that youngster a lesson. One of the best ever moments in baseball history, IMO.

Oh yeah, the concession bums, I forgot about that. I once worked a little guy tournament with a guy that was at the concession stand before the start of the day getting breakfast burritos, and at the grill between every game. He was also one who would ask for advances on games he hadn't worked yet.

Last year, I had a 1 run game end this way in the bottom of the seventh. Neither myself or my partner killed it, and it trickled back to the pitcher, who picked it for out number 3 and game over. Heck of a way to end a game.

Thanks Mike, you too, Nate. They're shipping today priority mail, so hopefully I'll have them by Saturday, if not then Monday at the latest. What started this was I was sitting next to my stepson in the Evans clinic last weekend. The GD's I had on I bought before last season, and he had on a pair of GD's he got a few months ago. I was looking at his and mine next to each other, and his were in fact charcoal, while mine were looking more on the green side. I'm going to start with the base and plate I ordered, and if I like them, I'll order another set. Then for high school next year when it's cooler, I'll order a couple pairs of the honigs poly-wool. That should get me through the next couple of seasons anyway. I don't know about you all, but I go through 2 pairs of pants each season. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I am doing 130-175 games a year. My goal is to get a rotation of 5 base and 5 plate. I'm tired of late night laundry after games.

Here's my rant of the day: Another thread brought this thought to mind. As a former UIC for a Babe Ruth League, and as a partner to some of these guys on the field, I can't stand working with guys that are doing this solely for the money. You can pick them out a mile away. They are veterans that are still wearing their faded Logo Athletic shirts that are closer to being pink than they are navy, and wal-mart silver dress slacks that they have to stretch over their leg guards. And both shirt and slacks were first purchased 25 pounds ago. They wear sneakers when working the plate. They have the nylon ball bag that they bought at Kmart more than a decade ago. They wear the same faded hat that has sweat stains from 10 years ago. When you call to assign them a game, the first question isn't where and when, it's always "How much?" The next question is, "Is there a time limit?" When I have the plate during a timed game, they try to ask me several times a game how much time is left. They show up 5 minutes before first pitch, and are out of the parking lot before the teams have even finished shaking hands. They ask for advances on games they have yet to work. (yes, i have been asked this on more than one occasion) They call you back to cancel the day of the game, only to let it slip that they got another game closer to home that pays more. They have umpired for 20 years, but have never attended a clinic, whether it's free or not. I guess the positive spin on this is whenever I run into one, and they ask me how many games I have that week, and I tell them, the response is usually "I wonder why I didn't get called for that game, tourney, etc." Gee, I wonder why. Am I leaving anything out?

Since I switched from heather to charcoal a couple of years ago, I have only purchased the Gerry Davis pants. It's time to add a couple more pairs to the wardrobe, so based on all of your comments about the Smitty charcoals, I ordered a pair of plate, and a pair of base pants from our friends at Ump-Attire. Looking forward to getting them and checking out the quality. Thanks for the info on these, guys.

It's nice to hear they saw the light and decided to go back.

Got through game one tonight with no issues. Worked the bases, had a few bangers, but must have gotten them all right, as I heard nothing from coaches and fans all night. Called a balk, no issues there either. It took about half the game where I remembered how much fun it is to do Legion, where the kids can all play, and I know them all from the HS season, and we are all liberated from the FED rules. It's baseball the way it should be played.

I found this post on "Should I have Ejected him?" interesting and have nominated it accordingly for "Post Of The Month May, 2009"

Post of the year! Bravo, jjb, bravo! :banghead:

Funny. I thought this thread was going to be about how your strike zone goes to hell when you get dehydrated. That's happened to me on occasion. I am a firm believer in the effects that dehydration has on decision making.

Greetings from the Great Northwest! Great blog on your experiences at Evans' academy. I just had the pleasure to spend this past weekend with Jim, and once again, it was a great experience, just wish it was longer.

Well, High School is over, and Legion starts today. It's pretty much non-stop baseball for me, from today until the end of July! Good luck to all you guys this summer. Stay hydrated, cool, and good luck!

A lot of the good ones you know are good and "get it" because they usually introduce themselves to me before the game, and when i give them my name, they ask if it's ok to address me by name. I love those types of kids, they are good at what they do, very respectful, and never show you up. I'll admit, when I get a good catcher that takes care of me and backs my calls and keeps me out of harm's way, he gets the benefit of the doubt on borderline pitches. He takes care of me, I'll take care of him.

Well, Jim is flying in today. Just to give you an idea about what kind of guy he is, we weren't able to get the numbers together to pay for a full clinic with him and a few instructors, but he wants to help so much that he cut his fee in half, and is flying out by himself to conduct the clinic. We also shortened it to 1.5 days rather than 2.5. Since he isn't bringing instructors, he asked those of us who went to his clinic in Spokane to meet him tonight for dinner and some beverages at a popular local establishment, because he wants us to help him conduct the clinic. This guy is first class, and if you ever get the opportunity to go to one of his clinics, do not pass it up. No matter what level of ball you do, or how experienced you are, you will walk away from with a ton of confidence from the teaching you receive.

That rat needs to be caged. What a pathetic excuse for a human being.

Welcome to the site, Nate. Best one on the web!

At that age level, I would probably quietly, and discreetly, go to the HC as his catcher is coming off the field between innings, and tell the coach to bench him, as a "quasi" ejection, without making a fuss and getting the mommies and daddies involved. If he gives you pushback, tell him it's either him or the kid. That should send the message to the coach to police his own players, which so many are afraid to do these days. I've ejected several players not behaving properly in this manner, and noone is the wiser. Parents just figured coach removed him. I always try to do player ejections as quietly as the situation allows in small guy ball, and sometimes in HS.

This kills me on tournaments. I just get done with one behind the dish, and getting ready to remove my plate gear for game two of three that day. The guy who shows up with no gear says he didn't bring it because he thought he was doing the bases. Yeah, right.

I love the fact that the writer replied in the comments defending the copyrights of his photos, but not a peep about what Warren said.