BrianC14

From the article: "Valley West and Pittston Area took their baseball rivalry to another level Thursday afternoon when the teams engaged in a benches-clearing brawl in the third inning. Two Valley West players were ejected." Clearly there has been some history between these two schools. A bench-clearing "brawl" and only two players from ONE TEAM were ejected? LOL Then the article informs us that only the WV catcher was ejected. The article also says that some kid's MOM was escorted off the field... OK, now things are getting a bit crazy.... The rest of the article tells us more about how the umpires lost control of the game, IMHO. Players leaving their positions? Players racing out of the dugout to join in? No ejections? No warnings? And one coach says he went in to pull his players out and break things up and he was being punched from behind ?? WTH? No ejections? Later in the game, we have a HBP, and then a 'message pitch' sent by the opposing team, and still no warnings? That gets followed by a HBP. Also from the article: "When asked about players leaving the bench area and entering the field, Turco said if the umpires ejected everyone who left the benches, the game would have been over." And to that I say, "So what?" Actions are supposed to have consequences. What other rules of NFHS baseball were ignored during this game? Imagine you're part of the next crew that has these two teams. "Gee, thanks guys."

I'm stealing this ^^ Porky, the early days:

How about these? They're black, so you'd have the standard look. Plenty of ventilation. They're not 'baseball specific', but they are certainly multi-functional. They're comfortable, and they look decent.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/heroic-mlb-umpire-steve-palermo-dies-67-article-1.3165049

Nice. Just tried this, and while it doesn't take up a whole lot of the lace, it does provide a snug fit at the top of the shoe, and there's less movement (almost none) in the heel. Once I did this and double knotted, the rest of the lacing (bows and bitter ends) are easily tucked away under the meta plate. Thanks for the tip !

They're he-e-e-re ! Thanks to the good folks at www.ump-attire.com for the rapid shipment. The shoes arrived yesterday in fine shape. A few items to note, with the caveat that I have yet to work a game in them: * COMFORTABLE, COMFORTABLE, COMFORTABLE. * The tops of the toes has an appearance that is almost like an orange peel. * The shoes have a nice high polish shine to them. I'm now wondering what the optimum cleaning & shining method(s) are. The original NB 460 was very receptive to the Scrubbing Bubbles and Aqua Net hair spray method. Anyone that has these, any thoughts on cleaning and shining? * As I removed them from the box, I got a great laugh when I first inspected the soles..... see the pic below. Nice touch, New Balance ! * The sole also is very cleverly designed with miniature home plates. * The laces are way longer than they need to be. That will be addressed with scissors and a Zippo lighter. * I remain concerned about how dust may collect (and thus need cleaning) in the areas that are nylon. * Did I mention they are incredibly comfortable? More later...

These are the "Version 3".

Like the man said, "Sports doesn't build character, it reveals it."

From the "Replies" at the posted website: (don't know if this guy is legit or not....) Ryne Dolleslager · Lake Region State College I was the catcher in this game. As you can see in the video I was pointing to third to check the runner. The umpires knew that they liked to run this play and were watching. We won the appeal and got him out.

Don't let it drag.... you mean like this thread?

Moderators, for the love of all that is baseball, please lock this thread.

It must be true, I read it on the internet ! There's a canyon's worth of difference between what I had 'hoped' and 'planned' and what was actually done. Good grief.

Without question, not a balk. Not put in play. Not anything happening.

See my last paragraph. I kept it to two words to get things rolling again.

I will remain cautiously optimistic. Saw the post about the 'spot'. Did you attempt to fix that with shoe polish and buffing?

You guys crack me up.

Uh oh. ... paying more, getting less. Order hasn't even arrived and already buyer's remorse is setting in.

Yes, it's a real mechanic. It tells anyone and everyone (your partner, for one) that the third strike wasn't caught, and that the BR can attempt to reach 1B.

"Oops. You fooled me, F1. You don't have the ball? " It's not nice to fool the umpire.

You can't. Unless they have fooled the umpire. Bad F1, bad!

Heh. Sunday afternoon, freshmen game, F1 and F3 tried to pull this off. Problem was, it came after a foul ball that was hit down the 1B line and fell without being caught. F1 goes up on the hill and stands adjacent to the pitcher's plate. He's turned partway toward 1B, so he can (apparently) 'watch the fun when R1 takes his lead'. I'm standing behind the plate, hands on hips, waiting. Waiting. Waiting. F1 gives me this goofy looking, "Aren't I clever?" stare. I wait, hoping he'll put his foot to the pivot position, whereupon I'd planned to call 'Play', and then immediately, "TIME! That's a balk!" Meanwhile, R1 never left the bag, and I finally call out to F1, "Let's go." and F3 sheepishly lobs the ball over to F1. smh

A nearby car dealership had several new cars destroyed, with holes in windshields that size. But I also wonder if this person didn't make an ice ball from a handfulof small stuff.

Can't disagree, but an official who makes a call/determination when he shouldn't (and knows full well that he doesn't have the information necessary to make that call/determination) is well beyond being a poor official, it's being an Adam Henry.