RichMSN

I have the same thoughts towards umpires who punish teams because of how catchers catch the ball. It's 39 degrees and the pitch was at the knees and the catcher, for some unknown reason, caught it with the fingers up. Strike. All. Day. Where I live, I can't afford to throw away strikes.

This nonsense went out in the early 90s. Every time you ask me, you're getting exactly what I saw. I expect the same from my partners.

The economy must be down. I've heard nothing beyond $400 for it. I may have to try eBay or Craigslist, although I'm more inclined to just keep it rather than go through that hassle.

Congratulations. I had the honor where I live the past two seasons and it will be strange to have my season end with the sectional after those experiences (it will be 5-6 years before I become eligible again). Oh, and don't suck.

It's the same balk as throwing to a fielder not at first or making a play. Or the knee buckle. Either one.

I'm happy to post pictures later today, but it's only been worn a few times and I will stand by your purchase.

Shipping not included, please. I'm happy to pack and ship it however you'd like. Overnight, slow boat, etc.

I'm selling mine for $150. Worn a few times. Contact me if interested.

If $400 is the best offer I get, I'll keep it.

I know what I paid 6 years ago and what I paid for the Team Wendy retrofit. Forgive me for not listing a price -- I'd prefer to take offers and I'll decide based on that whether I'm going to sell or not. I'm not trying to be difficult, really. Not interested in a trade. My gear whore days are over.

The plates are plastic.

Oh, you'll have to get a Power sticker if that kinda thing is important to you.

The protector is 15". I've had it since 2010 and had a TW retrofit done for the 2013 season.

From the throat to the bottom, it's 15".

I'm considering selling my Power with TeamWendy retrofit. I've owned this since 2010, I'm not the first owner. The Wendy retrofit was done a few years ago. I've had quite a bit of joy in this protector -- wore it on ESPN, worked 2 state HS championships in it....but I'm thinking about moving on. Truth be told, I'm not necessarily looking to sell to the highest bidder....or necessarily at all....but I am interested to see if there would be interest in it. (I also have an original Force 3 protector that I'd like to sell and for that I'll take the highest bidder and happily ship it this week. Good protector, but I'm not a fan of how it fits on me.)

Well, today I got to use the new NFHS written warning / restriction rule. If only the assistant coach had shut his mouth....or if the head coach would've told him to shut his mouth...I could've just told him to knock it off once and moved on. I'm on the plate. R1+R3. R1 breaks early for second. Naturally, our eyes are on F1 to make sure he doesn't balk. He doesn't -- he steps off. Eventually R3 is thrown out on a close play at the plate. Both assistants are running their mouths wanting a balk -- I tell one to knock it off and the BU does the same with the other. Mine doesn't get the hint and keeps talking. I restrict him and the head coach to the dugout and give a formal warning, which I put on the lineup card. Last year I would've chunked the assistant. Not sure if this is better or if this is worse, to be honest. For those who think the greatest thing in the world is to never eject anyone, I guess it would be good. I haven't ejected anyone since June of 2014, so I guess it kept my streak alive. I guess I should be happy -- we started a DH at 10AM and I was home and showered before 3.

My post was meant to say that, yeah I stole it, but from someone else.

That's not unusual. I've even done it once or twice.

I've been using this phrase since the 20th century. First person I saw use it was an umpire friend in Dallas, who was a heckuva umpire before he got too busy to keep doing it.

I've come out of hibernation since I actually got a game in last night. I'm not even sure the point of the thread. Is it to get feedback from the other people here or just to tell a story? You seem to have ruled, think you're right, and aren't interested in feedback. Then when you get pushback, you decide it's time to go back to lurking mode. I hope your skin is thicker on the field. BTW, you are the only one I see in this thread who thinks this in unsportsmanlike or an issue umpires should be involved with. Home teams frequently have bigger, nicer, better appointed dugouts. When it's you against the world, back the world. I know how I'd handle it. If it was really, really cold, I'd go warm my hands in that dugout between innings. Maybe roast a marshmallow during pitching changes, too.

Life would be a lot easier if more umpires would just say, "No, I'm not going for help on that one," and walk away.

Not Will. Minor League guy wearing Little's plate shirt.

My first job out of college in 1997 paid that range. Sad they think so little of umpiring and umpires.

The product we give during tournaments is, on average, better than our local high schools get. I acknowledge that we aren't a typical district.

I have two plate coats. Will be a cold day in hell before I wear a shirt over my protector when rocking the coat.