blue32

Thanks, Kyle. The coach for the team that paid me is a real stand up guy. He has always supported me and jumped on his players when I am right, and never hesitates to let me know when I've missed a call, but forgets all about it by the next pitch is thrown. I told him after the DH that I thought I was a little off, because I didn't have time to get my game face on, and he told told me if that wasn't my best, then he would take me anytime, because he thought I did a great job. It was a feel good story all around, and one of the times I will remember for a long time.

They actually did. The PA guy thanked me again at the conclusion of the second game, and I got another standing O. It was very nice of them, both sides were really gracious, and I was a little embarassed by all of the positive attention from both sides.

Nothing wrong with that, Chief!

I had a rare Saturday off this past weekend, or so I thought. My wife and I were out getting some work done on our car, and running some errands. Not 5 minutes after we got home, the phone rings and it's the local Legion team president in a panic, telling me they have a doubleheader and no officials showed up. They asked if I could come out and work it for them, so I did, wanting to help out. I get there, and a golf cart gets sent out to the parking lot to bring me to the field, which was nice, and something that should be implemented at every venue! I get out onto the field to an introduction and everyone in the stands gets up and gives me a standing 'O' I turned around, smiled, and said "Wow, this is strange, I have never been applauded before, this is a first as an umpire! Everyone had a good laugh on that one. The coaches told me due to time constraints, we would play 1 seven inning game and then have a 5 inning game in the night cap as the field has no lights. The first game was 9-4 score, but went quick, finishing in less than 2 hours and I hardly broke a sweat, even though I was working my 1-man mechanics. 2nd game finished in just about an hour, it was a 2-0 game with many half innings going for less than 10 pitches. When I came off the field, the home team coach said he had a check for me and paid me for a 2 man crew, which I wasn't expecting at all. I figured 1.5 times, but that was it. So, for 3 hours work, I made $200.00, and still had time to take the wife out bowling afterwards. Not too shabby, if you ask me!

I've used it for 2 games now, and will post a review hopefully in the next day or two. Trust me, it's going to be good.........very good!

Hey thanks cato! I'd love to see this board get more traffic, everyone here seems really cool, and the posters are not as abrasive as I have experienced at other sites. I am going to tell everyone I know about this site to try and help our Chief build it up.

I have the one from Honig's that doesn't have the clipboard, but it still has a hard insert inside of it that allows you to write on it.

Hey guys, I just received my new HSM today. UN-BE-LEIVABLE!!! I just had to send back my Diamond Edge I purchased in February, because the liner and pads in it had a lot of problems. They took it back, credited me the full price I paid for it, so I applied to my purchase of the Wilson FX Shock with the titanium cage. It didn't come in time for me to use it in my Legion game tonight, though, which really bummed me out. I just got home and tried it on, it seems to me like it's half the weight that my Diamond was, and the fit and vision is incredible. I can't wait for Sunday to get here so I can work my first game with it. All I can say so far is WOW!!! Wilson really put together an incredible product with this one.

It's nice to see there are other people who feel my pain. I have done 110 games this year with another 24 games on my schedule as confirmed. I will probably finish at close to 150 when all is said and done. Just kidding about the pain part, it's a labor of love, and I enjoy just about every game I do. I am fortunate to have a flexible enough work schedule that allows me the freedom to take almost every game that gets assigned to me. As far as the plate and bases go, I think you can make a compelling argument either way. Both are equally as important and come with about the same amount of assignments, but I will say the bases can be more distracting, especially when you have a chatty first base coach. I personally have always been more comfortable behind the plate, but have really started to come into my own on the bases and am becoming equally as comfortable while working the bases.

I agree with the other posters. I currently use a Diamond Ix3 CP. It has hard plastic "innards" with a soft shell exterior. I have taken some shots with it, and have been fine, but after hearing everything about the Wilson West Vest Platinum, you couldn't go wrong with it. I am going to invest in one for next season. They run about $150.00 at web retailers such as Ump-Attire. Another option I hear about a lot is the Honig's K1. The other thing to keep in mind is ease of cleaning. The inside padding is removable for cleaning from what I hear, and there are shin guards on the market that have the same feature. Being able to remove padding and throw it in the washer every couple of weeks is a huge help in the summer months, because trust me, your gear is going to get really "ripe" from use. One thing to keep in mind when you invest in equipment is that you are much better off paying $150 for a CP now than paying $50.00, then having to shell out several hundred, if not thousands, in medical bills later. Hope that helps, and keep us posted on what you went with.

Hi everyone. Just wanted to introduce myself. I am from Boise, ID. Started umpiring in 1988 in Northridge, CA. Did it for 3 years in Northridge LL, working games from 12u up to 15u at 21 years old. Took several years off due to work, then started up again in 2003, working 10u for a year, then 12u for 2 years. Took a couple years off, then started up again full time last season, working about 125 games from 10u al the way up to Over 40 ball. Was fortunate enough to work several 15u tournaments and having plate duty for a few championship games. Got selected to work the Cal Ripken 70' Pacific Northwest Regionals last year, and was picked to work the plate for the championship game, with the winner going to the World Series in Aberdeen, MD. This year was my first foray into HS ball, and loved it. Worked Freshman and JV during the regular season, and was selected to work the district playoffs, both semifinal games in the 4A division, which I was honored to do since it was my first year of high school ball. I am currently working the summer tourneys, including district, state, and regional playoffs for Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth. I love to umpire because I love the game and helping the kids. I could do without the rats and the parents who are "genius' of the game," but they don't bother me too much. I am very grateful for sites like this to share stories and gain more knowledge, as well as maybe to meet new friends that I may work with one day. Baseball is the greatest game on the planet, and I can't believe that I actually get paid to be in the ballpark almost every day! Take care guys and gals, and I hope to get to know all of you! blue32

I just love the game, and love seeing good baseball. I just called a game this past Sunday that was the championship of a July 4 tourney for 14 year olds. It's the 7 seed against the 1 seed. The 7 seed team jumps on the 1 and gains a 4-0 lead by the second inning. Meantime, both teams are making plays, and less than an hour in, we are entering bottom 6 with the score 4-2. The 1 seed finally puts it together and jumps on the other team, scoring 6. Game over, right? Not so fast, my friend, as Lee Corso likes to say. The 7 seed sends their first batter to the plate in top 7, who strikes out. Ok, 2 more outs and we're out of here. They proceed to load the bases, 1 out, and a kid comes up and hits a bomb to left field that easily clears the fence. A granny to tie it up in the last inning! You could hear the wind coming out of the 1 seed's sails, and they never recover, giving up 3 more runs before the smoke clears. The 7 seed holds on in the bottom of the 7th to win 11-8. Both teams coaches, players, and fans were absolutely terrific. It was an intense, festive atmosphere the entire game, with no complaints about anything from anyone. It was played the way the game should be played. That is why I love being an umpire.

I had a nice run earlier this year during the high school season. On a Friday, had a 10RR game that completed in 1:10, then the next day had another 10RR game that ended at 1:20, then on the following Monday, had a full 7 that finished in 1:25. The baseball gods got their payback the next day. 7 inning game, 16-15 final score, 3 hrs 15 minutes on the coldest night of the year. It was brutal, besides all the runs scored, it was a strange game. We had to delay several times on top of it, because a foul ball took out one of the lenses on a light standard, and glass kept periodically falling out of it into the on deck circle. To top it off, after the end of the 7th inning, my partner and I start to leave the field, and the winning team asked where we were going. We said home, and he said, but it's a tie game. The losing team was already lined up to shake hands at this moment, because they knew they had lost. The visitor's book had the score 15-15, so we called the home book down from the press box, and counted up the runs for each team. The home book had it 16-15 in favor of the visitors, and that's what we went with. On our way out to the parking lot, we get stopped by the home team's scorekeeper, who wanted us to wait. I said for what? He said that maybe he made a mistake. I told him that the home book is the official book, and that is what we are going with. He was not happy with my answer and started to get lippy with me, so I replied by telling him that this is big boy baseball now, and to be more careful in the future, then proceeded to go to my car and get out of there.

I am using Diamond Ix3 products currently, and have been happy with them. I work Babe Ruth through HS. I also work Over 30 and Over 40. I too, have tried the wet towel to clean and lysol to disinfect route, but have not been completely satisfied with the cleanliness of my gear. I have an upright washer, so I decided to give it a try with my CP and SG's. I set it to stain wash, because it's about a 3 hour wash, use cold water and Tide liquid, and have never been happier. I usually wash my gear every 2-3 weeks, or right after a 10-12 game tourney over a weekend, and it is working out great. I wouldn't try this with a conventional washer, but the upright gets my gear clean, and it comes out looking brand new. My only frustration now is with my HSM. The mesh material that is glued to the foam starts peeling off after the first few hot days of the year. I love the HSM's but am on my second one in 3 years. Those liners just don't hold up well over the course of a season, so now I think I am going to take a closer look at the new Wilson HSM and see if they use the same material inside that the others do. Thanks for all the insight that you guys bring to the table, I have picked up some great tips and tricks since visiting this and the ABUA site!