BigZigBlue

Well I have one cause it looks good and there is always a little bit of sunlight in the corner of my mask. Also it does help with the fading of the bill of the hat diff. when you were a Richardson hat. Wished Honig's still carried the New Era.

I have a real good friend that has a fechheimer black plate coat that he got from the guy who owns All American Sports Shop. I saw it today when we went out for lunch and I must say it legit. It isn't tthick as in the sense that it is not real hot. And that's a huge deal since I live in the South. The coats cost $250 and says shipping including. All you have to give him is your jacket size because they mass produce them unlike Honig's or Gerry Davis. And the best thing about the deal is that if the coat doesn't fit just right you can ship it back and they will ship another back. Website: All American Sports Shop (Do not order from the website because the owner does not have the keys to the website as of the other day to take orders but items are on there. Phone: 800-422-2189 Owner: John Franco

hckyosgood, What you do mean slide it in? Does it have a hard piece on the back of it so you can? I am getting cutting it so my face mask does not knock it when I'm locked in or have to turn my head. You see I have what you call a "NO NECK"

I am like Cal Ripken on my "ring ups" like he is on batting stances. My usual one however is the simple forward punch with a "AHHHHH!!!" but if not then its the "Bow and Arrow"....I worked with a guy who said "Sorry..then punched the kid out..lol"

I am getting the some in tom. afternoon from a fellow umpire for $50. The first thing I am doing is cutting the "wussy" pad off for like you said slim look and so I lock in better. Thanks for the pics, I wanted to see what it would look like without it!

Dang I love my Diamond mask with the pads..I did however change the pads out with the Honigs microfiber pads and it does feel better than the diamond pads. I did have a little bit of snagging the chin hair but i just trimmed it up and was fine. I dished a #3 and #4 match up in HS last season and the pitcher was throwing low to mid 90s. (He got drafted of course). Well took a foul ball on the chin from a pitch he threw and nothing......mask went flying about 8 feet (made for a good photo). I like how light it is due to fact of it flying off and not staying put light concrete when you get hit...deflects the blow..also it is pretty strong because the mask is not bent or phased at all....a lot of umpires in my association started to get the diamond after it "passed the test." But I am prolly gonna save up for a Titanium Mask around the middle of the year...but i guess its all about what makes us more comfortable behind the dish!!!

Fellers, I have been wondering for about a year or two if I should invest into some long sleeve umpire shirts. What are ya'lls take on them? Because I want to try them out but then again i just don't know!

Looking for "sizing" of an old-style shirt that someone recently received.... Well when I ordered mine it was the full slate of sizes available. I would call the local office due to the website not always being up to date on info. Forgive me for not answering the question directly sir! No worries!! What I'm looking for is, ....Honig's sizes vary quite a bit from lot to lot. I was wondering if someone could give me an 'across the chest' measurement of an XL Honigs shirt they received recently (within the past few months) to see how the latest lot is running ...........thanks! LOL if you were about to add 2 more X's then I would help you hahaha!!

I filled out a proper complaint form on the internet for the state police (He had some serious stroke). I also typed up a statement about what happened and signed it, had the witnesses sign it and even had the state director sign it because of the way he was being before that. I was praised by the parents and other umpires for sticking up for the game because he was such a jerk (nicely saying).Needless to say he no longer coached after that ordeal.

Looking for "sizing" of an old-style shirt that someone recently received.... Well when I ordered mine it was the full slate of sizes available. I would call the local office due to the website not always being up to date on info. Forgive me for not answering the question directly sir!

I haven't spoken to my across the street neighbors since I called their son out on a banger at the plate in a Legion tournament game... Their loss Yeah like the old saying, " The ones that know you the best or most will throw you under the bus quicker than a man that doesn't know you."

I agree with all but its gonna be a pain knowing all the bats that are illegal the list is pretty long....let them play with wooden bats.

I know this know and which I did eject the "coach" and it ruined the friendship I had with his family (his son and I were the same age). He was my 1st ejection out of the 2 I have. Since then I have learn more about being an umpire and what it means than just "calling baseball" in which I do believe there is a major difference between being an umpire and calling baseball. Like one being a cop and another being a security guard (No OFFENSE TO ANY PLEASE). Just making a point! And heck I wish more young guys would start umpiring I think umpiring is a dieing job that young guys are willing to do...wheres the love for the game????

Actually yes, I have. When I'm with a friend I'll do that sometimes. I'm not a bad person. Really, I'm not. When you are in college though, and your primary means of discretionary income is umpiring baseball, you have learn to stretch things out a bit. Moblue, I can not agree more with you bro!! I'm a senior at my local college and my books, part of tuition, meal plan comes from a percentage of money I make calling ball. If you add up the amount of tourneys I do in a year..tuition is covered along with books..But as you all "taken" men know you got to spoil the "Lady" in order for her to be okay with the amount of time and travel that is done in the summer for me! Take my advice...lose the lady and explore the free agent market. Easier on the wallet and it lets you take on more games. I understand where you coming from but I'm fine with my contract and my bonus and with what I drafted!!!

You all are talking about coaches carrying a gun onto the field of play. Well I had a situation my second year umpiring at a local park and two state troopers were the coaches. Anyway both worked the same shift and would come to the games dressed in uniform (no gun). The problem I had with one of the coaches, was he was the type of a "mighty mouse EGO". He thought he was God in his uniform. I was 14 at the time and I knew the man for some time. He was on my butt enough " I packed two hunnie buns for him to eat on, plus my butt!" I had enough that I gave him the old stare down after his pitcher walked in the go ahead run. He started barking that He will pull me over when he sees me on the road and give me a ticket for some bull. At that instant my trigger finger was pulled...and he went ballistic....i recorded all what he said signed it and had witnesses signed it..I couldve turned him into the State for it but I waited for just incase he did pull me over...What is the proper way of handling a cop if they are in uniform and act like the guy did towards me?

Actually yes, I have. When I'm with a friend I'll do that sometimes. I'm not a bad person. Really, I'm not. When you are in college though, and your primary means of discretionary income is umpiring baseball, you have learn to stretch things out a bit. Moblue, I can not agree more with you bro!! I'm a senior at my local college and my books, part of tuition, meal plan comes from a percentage of money I make calling ball. If you add up the amount of tourneys I do in a year..tuition is covered along with books..But as you all "taken" men know you got to spoil the "Lady" in order for her to be okay with the amount of time and travel that is done in the summer for me!

The old style shirts are fine order a navy and a cream and they fit good. The new style has more a scratchy feeling to the fabric which takes some getting use to compared to the old shirts that have more a smooth fabric.

Well I have worn the NB and Spot Built plate shoes....I liked the NB for it's comfort but was heavy for me along with the upper leather eventually rolling over from use. I am in the process of ordering the Reebok shoe. Also i heard a rumor that the Reebok also lost their contract with the NFL and the NFL will be going to Nike?? I would like to see if Nike is able to put out a good plate shoe to compete with NB and Reebok NB has the MLB guys ...so Nike , if the rumor you heard is true would only be for NFL, but...it would be interesting to see what Nike would/could put together given the chance? The source of the information is a guy that calls in the SEC, Sun Belt, and some low D1 schools all over the nation (i hope that makes him a liable source???). He didn't come out and say that Nike was going to have a shoe, but the rambles of Nike wanting to try was heard with the NCAA meetings in Nashville couple weeks ago. I am wanting to see what Nike would come up with and see how it stood against the other shoes. But what would the NFL do without Reebok or more importantly Reebok do with the NFL..isn't everything/most of the items or gear in the NFL Reebok???

Well I have worn the NB and Spot Built plate shoes....I liked the NB for it's comfort but was heavy for me along with the upper leather eventually rolling over from use. I am in the process of ordering the Reebok shoe. Also i heard a rumor that the Reebok also lost their contract with the NFL and the NFL will be going to Nike?? I would like to see if Nike is able to put out a good plate shoe to compete with NB and Reebok