grayhawk

I was working the Area Code games yesterday and one of the coaches is a scout for the Nationals that covers Vegas. He scouted Harper and said he has known him since Harper was in 7th grade. I asked him what he is really like and he said he's just ultra competitive and wants to win more than anyone he had ever scouted. Just a very intense guy and when he argues with umpires, it's more about just needing someone to target for needing to blow off the steam. I still think he's a massive douche, but that's from someone that knows him.

I can see that in Fed where you would have to award the runner home, but not in OBR or NCAA where you can call the obstruction but not have to make that award.

My guess is they ranked the candidates during the initial interview process and just went to their #2.

Well, they're the ones writing the checks. Oh wait...

Off-topic, but I'm getting bored watching every PU do the same exact thing. Hands on knees and hammer strikes. I know it's been said that these are not requirements, but I'm having a hard time believing it. We're not softball umpires! I'd like to see more individuality. Sigh...

What college game at this time of year uses replay? To answer your question, it's entirely up to the discretion of the crew. Appendix E, 2(b)(11): If the reversing of a call results in the need for decisions on the placement of base runners, the umpire crew shall use their best judgment to determine their locations as if the call had been made correctly.

Agreed 100%. Jeff is good people.

That's a swing.

That's the one.

I'm going to chalk it up to the dog days of summer and 4 guys losing focus.

Cue the "how do 4 MLB umpires mess this up?" crowd...

It's very well made, and you can tell the D3O will disperse energy. It's unlike any other foam on the market. The hard shell is good, but it doesn't cover as well as the S7. The S7 overlaps the plates where it counts most, especially near the collar bone. It's very low profile, especially in the chest area. It light, but still substantial. It's a bit more difficult to put on compared to my S7 because the G-hooks stay tucked in the loops, so it's a bit like putting on a shirt. Maybe it would be good to pull one of the G-hooks out of the loop so it's easier. The bottom straps do get twisted, and the foam that wraps around the waist must be pulled back when you engage the G-hooks. The stock harness is good, so no reason to go aftermarket there, though I do love the UmpLife harness which is what I had on my S7. Overall, this is a CP for high level baseball, and I have full confidence that it will protect me where I need it. I still believe the S7 is the most protective CP ever made, though it's very bulky in its original form. My mods made it much more low profile without sacrificing much protection. I plan to wear the Enduro all off season, including 2 plates at the Area Code Games coming up next week. That showcase features many pitchers throwing mid-90s, if not faster. The problem is that they're throwing to catchers that have never caught them so it can be a smoke fest.

I'm satisfied with the result of heating the pauldrons and shaping them to have more curve to them. Here's a few pics. First one is after my first attempt to shape the pauldron that was somewhat hastily done just using the hairdryer and my hands. This time, I found a strap to hold it much longer and heated and cooled twice. I also did the ailettes. You can see in the closeup with me wearing it that the curve is greater than the D3O has memory of. It's actually much more pronounced than this picture shows. I'm tempted to use my strap mod like I did on my S7, but will see how it goes for a while as is before taking that step.

What a strange field. Looks like there's a chainlink fence with a large opening and a setback dugout that is open to the stands? Can't imagine a fight breaking out between fans and players in that scenario.

I'm sick and tired that these guys never get held accountable!

The Twins broadcast wouldn't show the replay, but the Mets broadcast?

Supposed to be...from a coaching perspective, not an umpire or rules perspective. This is coached universally - take your lead in foul, return in fair.

If PU appeals to me after a mound visit, unless the batter screwed himself into the ground, my answer will be no.

It would if the runner was in foul territory where he's supposed to be.

ꓘ3 was brutal.

I remember one specifically where the pitch was very high and R3 was safe. I think the batter was backing out.

I remember those threads and was never in their camp. But I wasn't at their level so I wasn't going to press it.

Then how do we call a pitch a ball or a strike when it never even reaches the plate? At a minimum, we have to call that a balk, just like if the pitcher drops the ball and it never crosses the foul line.

I thought of that as well, but since he hasn't come set yet, I went with the interruption.

Balk. 5.07(a)(2): Preparatory to coming to a set position, the pitcher shall have one hand on his side; from this position he shall go to his set position as defined in Rule 5.07(a)(2) without interruption and in one continuous motion.