Stan W.

I'm of the school to interpret things a little more loose than when I was coming up.....back then any line drawn or action like drawing was an instant EJ. However, not knowing what was said, I cant rule this EJ out as valid...........when I started, I was amazed at the things that were said to me and my partners and the thought that as long as they didn't look at you, they could say anything they wanted...........pretty common then...... I don't tolerate abuse..........

When people ask me that question, I've always answered "It pays too little to live on........and after equipment, uniforms, registrations, dues and insurance fees, Id probably do better financially if I was a greeter at Walmart......" BUT.........who can explain the hold baseball has on me... I love the game, I love the sights, the plays, the comebacks, the sounds and love being on the field.......

After reading up on it, its to establish a standard coefficient of restitution. After a year of discussion on "juiced baseballs" in MLB since Rawlings was purchased by MLB, it may have merit....

Great ....2 days after our State Rules meeting with umpires and coaches were we told them PA is a "NO Play" state.............I just checked PIAA.org.......no sign of a reversal of that decision so far..

I agree its going to happen..........just like the nocsae catchers gear.........I know they had 3 years ....If the home team does not have any compliant baseball we were told to ask the visitors if they had any correct baseballs and if so play the game.....if not the game does not get played....... I travel a long way to make the games I am assigned. I lose plenty of game assignments due to foul spring weather...........they have not said anything about umpire compensation if the teams aren't compliant............It looks like I will be buying the cheapest dozen of compliant baseballs I can find. Far better to trade a team 2 compliant balls for what they have than to travel home unpaid.........

I've always been a fan of the +POS BB181 Scraper brush...deal at 6.99.....best I've ever had

My prayers for his family and friends and my hope that the "Chief Umpire" welcomed him safe at home...

Not at all.............I actually think I have extended my career by not doing games under the 14-15 yr old age group. At one time I was that guy wold would work any game played with a white ball and red stitches..... The level of play, the "over the top" coaches and parents, working games solo, being mistaken for the backstop did me in.........

I think one of the things we don't teach well is when its time to take a break. Be it a few games off in the season or a full season or two in an career. It can be just the thing the doctor ordered. Enjoy!......Like was said above......baseball will always be here, and there is never a shortage of games for good Umpires...............like you........

I never had the GD plate shoes but I wore the +POS Hightops forever!. ( they were very similar to GD"s)...........I was so happy when the Reebok and NB plate shoes came out

Over the years, I have been in a number of associations covering a good swath of competitive baseball.........of those memberships, I feel type A's vastly dominated.....(not always for the best.) I have seen many people come and go and to stick with it, one of the prerequisites seemed to be a good "sense of self". Definition of Sense of Self. In psychology, the sense of self is defined as the way a person thinks about and views his or her traits, beliefs, and purpose within the world.

Many a player has been ejected assuming the Umpire did not speak / understand another language.............

I did as well........

I had one of those back in the day...........you might want to search ebay for one to use as a parts rig.........they were great protection! (but the heat retention factor oh my..)

my first instruction many years ago was to make sure you apply "LB's" to your palm......and not directly to the ball.........if not you get a mud spot and not the dull finish you want......I still have the remnants of am LB's container in my bag.........great stuff.........although I havent been asked by a league to rub up baseballs in a long time....

Been there.....done that..........I signaled out..but called safe..... Fortunately for me, the runner was out by a large distance, so it was just an inadvertent verbal call..............fix it........be embarrassed........move on.....

Team bats?.........yup I remember my playing days...coach brought the US Army issued duffle bag with the 2 team wood bats to each game. (The big one and the little one.).....I cant say I've seen any "Team" bats in many years............. The bats I see are high buck bats owned by the player himself. I cant loan what I didn't supply......... Just my .02

someday I hope MST and I get that game in together that we always planned to do..........

good valid EJ...........

welcome back!..........

5th Grade BB..........not going there..........who knows what catching skills you will see at that level........Id rather have a catcher attempting to catch a ball with a glove he can control than a stiff catchers mitt he cant.............

And I was outfitted top to bottom in +POS gear...........shirts, jackets, pants, Mask, CP, shins and Plate shoes, ball bags, indicators and plate brush.......... I still carry the bb181 plate brush/scraper.......best in the market!

OBR rules says the HPU umpire shall stand behind the catcher.........with the understanding that a pro game can have 4 umpires.......NFHS rule 10.1. art 3 says if there is only one umpire , he has complete jurisdiction in administering the rules and he may take any position he desires. preferably behind the catcher

I thought the same thing...........didn't need one said I, didnt like the way it looked said I ,.........until I did.........I have the same rig, +POS Zero G, (ditched the Team Wendys,) went back to the doeskin leather pads........and a throat guard.........

I've done games in late march where I wore everything I had brought with me...........mock neck, 2 shirts, jacket, gloves, all the socks that would fit in my shoes, ear band.....you name it........wind chill was just over freezing....if an Evaluator had been in the stands and gigged me for it, I'd take it gladly............( it has been my experience that they dont want to be cold either)