MT_Blue

So just out of curiousity is there a site that streams spring training games? I have quite a bit of down time at work some days (i work in a lab so there is a lot of hurry up and wait...) and it would be a blast to watch some the games if possible... Ken

Cant argue with that, i was actually just reading about them and to be honest i was sold based on their item description and then seeing this, like i said i will probably invest and then just find a mask shell to put them in! so with mask out of the way anything on shin gaurds?

first of all great suggestions (and so quick O.O), a question though, i do see TW pads come up alot on these forums, is that mainly for comfort? i would assume so but are they reasonablly priced? Honestly until scouting around here i had never heard of them! And on the color, my association is not picky so its not really an issue on that front Ken

Hey all, I am finally getting to the point in my umpiring career where i am looking to buy a second set of gear for emergencies/replacements and so on, and am starting from the top down. At this point i am doing primarily Junior Olympic Fastpitch for ASA, and am looking for in a lot of cases 'lighter' gear than what i currently have. I have been looking through these forums and one place i am stuck is on a mask... Anyone have any suggestions for a light mask? currently i am using a Rawlings Solid wire mask which has served me well for goign on 10 seasons. I am not opposed to a full helmet (in fact i want to try one at some point in my carreer before my knee gives out), but i am looking primarily for a mask if possible. The second peice that i am would put on the priority list is a new pair of shin gaurds (since i got a Diamond IX3-Ump last season to replace a 30 yr old hand me down from my father that i still pull out for nostalgia), mine are currently showing their age and have been in used since again i started 10 yrs ago, but they are again a pair of Rawlings ULDCW with an upper Knee cap. I am hoping to hear back from some of you! Have a great great day! Ken

Done and Done

Played tuba, alto clarinet, purcussion, and Trombone in Middle/high school. Dabbled in Live event DJing as well during that time and then transfered to radio once i got to college.

I know im late to this party, but has anyone found this kicking around the net?

im not going to deny i need to LOL i have so much reading for school atm though its hard to get the important stuff :P

Found this on Youtube while just browsing around wasting time today... last i checked there was no rule claiming that the pitcher had to 'define' the way he pitches....if you dont know what im talking click the link....

Just found a way clean them without throwing them in the wash, seems fairly simple but didnt dawn on me until talking with one of my friends about the subject of cleaning things in general but his mom when he would come home with a similar issue from camping or what ever would just wash them by hand with a tooth brush in a sink/bucket full of warm water and liquid laundry detergent and then let them air dry, needless to say my hats are squeeky clean and ready to go for this tuesday! thanks all for your input! Ken

You rebel you. i am drowning in so much reading at times i dont remember what i read ><

For softball im usuallly there about an hour beforehand to change and shoot the breeze with my partner(s) (since usually there is a JV and V contest happening) for baseball on the other hand i lax down to about 30 min prior.

ive owned the book for around two years now, and actually just finished it for the first time (ive had alot of school reading and other assorted things get in the way) and i am impressed all around by this book, defiantly looking to read it again (hopefully in one non two year shot )

this is insane, the person filming it was also very annoying >.>

Very nice! I was one of those that followed in my old mans footsteps as well! its always exciting to see younger generations getting involved...god mine started going on 10 years ago... either way Congrats, and i can say it is one of the most fun bonding experiences i had with my dad i hope you find it that way as well!

knowing my fiance she would probably give me a weird look and call me a nerd as per usual ><

at this point sadly (being on a college budget and having my first couple of games go back into recertification for next year) it may be a while before im able to just straight away get another set.... ultimatly it is what i will probably do i was just thinking perhaps someone may have had a trick to cleaning them on the fly... Thanks for the input guys Ken

Hey guys, So my season officially kicks off next Tuesday and I got to looking at my equipment and to be honest my hats are looking a little gross any suggestions on how to clean off the grime that can build up over a season?

Hey all, For the first time in the last few years i was able to just go and watch people ive assigned, i had a coach come up to me after a game though and say that the official on his field behind the plate was extremely inconsistent (and knowing the official i beg to differ), also stating that he doesn't want this official put on his games again for the rest of the season... now i know that officials and coaches butt heads but have any of you ever run into this and what solution did you have for the said problem? Cheers Ken

from his position i would have called the same, it wasn't until seeing the second replay that i feel like it was confirmed, but yea once the call was changed i figured maddon was gone >.>

One field I have officiated at a couple of times over the last couple years has a few problems...and I'm only going to say a few because obviously there are probably more I haven't seen.... first, there is a pipe/spikett for their sprinklers (mind you like a 4 inch pipe none the less) just on the playing side of the fence in center field, which most times gets covered with a carpet during play. Second thing I see is more of a placement of said field (I know at times placement can't be helped) it is right across from the high school, but behind a pool....so everytime a ball is fouled over my right shoulder it goes INTO the pool...which in short is problematic, and on a final note the field just happens to be across the street from the local cemetary.....

If I read that correctly the call should have been made right when R3 was tagged, he should have been out only by the tag not abandonment. Like I said I may have missed something and if I did I hope others would chime in.

Montana has been getting a lot of snow as of late, I'm scheduled to work Thursday but it doesn't look good....

Sucker I'm done Gahh.......our finals are next week, i dont actually get to go home until next saturday though since i have a double header on Friday :P

I know im really late on responding to this but with finals looming this is the first chance i got to look at it, ive replayed it multiple times and come up with the same call that was given, Good call. Ken