Mr Ump

Some of us don't need it. Are you invincible? No, there's no need. A ball cannot get under my mask. That was validated two nights ago. If I wore a guard, it would a) interfere with how my head is positioned and b) require me to make room for it. Same thing for me. I fall in Mike Prince's above post, category #1. I think it is a combination of my neck length, the height related to my chin of my WV Gold and my head position stance...Have never had it happen, use to wear a throat guard too but it kept getting caught in the shirt by the buttons....that was more work that I didn't need while focusing on pitches...I guess to each their own....I do think anyone can get hit at anytime if they are not paying attention and sometimes when they are paying attention....

Thanks....Long time ago......much better mechanics now...lol...less Hollywood flava too.....

Stan is correct...+POS two tone red blue pads...Navy Blue double bar mask-proceeded the Wilson Dyna Lite style...Red +POS harness (the red shirts were out then) and some off brand throat guard.... Bkesler24 that is me in Hardball..,it was a blast...my son is in the movie as well with a nice scene for the Bua Was....lifetime experience....also was offered a part in The Rookie as an ump Hollywood baseball is nothing like a real game, they have no clue what real umps do....

What mask, harness, throat guard and pads did I use in this 2001 scene from the movie Hardball with Keanu Reeves......hint...very HEAVY....but well protected...

Can you post it...

I'm looking to get a therma base but am not sure what size to get. According to the size chart I should get a large but I'm at the low end of the large sizes and it says size down for bases. I don't want it to be too bulky. I'm 6' about 195. Any similar proportioned gentlemen who could offer suggestions? I am 5'11, 190 and I have a XL (Smitty) and it is perfect because I can be layered underneath if I choose. I don't use it on the plate.

The debate on if you make the call then ask for help or vice versa will go on forever. I worked with a guy the other day, a college guy and he said to me, "I have never come to my partner in 20 years for a pulled foot. I just make the call." I found that to be at the least - interesting. Seemed like a personal pride thing but I don't believe he saw every foot for 20 years. Anyway...as far as getting with my partner, I do it together and in private, no out loud conversations. Before getting together I ask the coach what he specifically wants me to ask my partner. I need a specific question so I don't get a bunch of opinions on the play from my partner. Just give me what you want me to ask so we can ask, get an answer to THAT question and change or stay and then get back to the game. Too many umpire conferences last too long.....get back to the game....

I wear this off brand (but really nice) black long sleeve shirt over my protector...very thin material....I don't like the other look of showing my chest protector...unless Wilson pays me for advertising my Gold Vintage.....

So I was rumbling through a box of old ump gear I found in the garage (had not opened it when I moved into my new house) and lo and behold....there was a perfectly fine MLB harness....looks like I used it only a couple of times....I don't even remember buying it....probably been there at least 10 years...lol...so anyway I got out my Shout, Scrubbing Bubbles and a brush and clean it up...then threw it in the dish washer and now it looks brand new, like straight out the box.....strapped it on my black Dyna Lite with the TW's and the whole rig looks like new money....nothing like shopping for gear in my own used gear box.....that is a win....

Ah come on, we are all waiting on your list. Give us 6 minutes ....lol

Just for fun fill in the blanks with what brands you actually step on the field using and wearing as a preference in a big game.... Hat Color/Brand/ 2-4-6-8 Stich: Sunglasses Brand/Model: Mask Model: Mask Pads Brand/Color: Mask Harness Brand: Chest Protector Brand/Model: Chest Protector Harness: Shin Guards: Throat Guard Yes or No: Helmet Brand/Model: Cold Gear Top: Cold Gear Bottom: Heat Gear Top: Heat Gear Bottom: Sock Brand/Long or Short: Cup Brand: Pants Poly Wool Yes or No: Long Sleeve Shirt Color: Short Sleeve Shirt Color: Plate Coat Color/Model: Jacket Style/Color/Model: Patent Leather Belt Yes or No: Flat Black Leather Belt Yes or No: Base Shoe Brand: Plate Shoe Brand: Shoes with White Yes or No: Indicator Strike 3 Ball 4 Preferred Yes or No: Plate Brush Style: Pencil or Pen: Line Up Holder Use Yes or No: Gloves Brand/Wear Yes or No: Mock Turtleneck Yes or No:

Okay...after 4 games my all black Zigs Base Shoes size 10 finally stopped acting too narrow and were comfortable for a whole game. I did take the strings out, put my foot back in them and then restrung them. Much better. Just a suggestion. I also did a lot of bending of them to get them looser. Now if I can figure out how to keep the dirt out of the zig-zag part. It creates an extra cleaning step....oh well I will figure that part out and report back.... Guess I will keep them but jury is still out if they are more comfortable than my Reebok football equipment shoes which I also used for baseball. They came out along with the Magistrates and are the most comfortable shoe I have. I just bought the Zigs because I got them for $50

I had that Wilson gray mask from 8-10 years ago. Pads eventually wore out and the mask has a small ding that I guess I could fix if I wanted to. Right now it is in the mask grave yard in my garage. I did get it out to compare it to this new version and the older on is at least a shade or two lighter in color and closer to the new ones pads in color. I like the new version better color wise. if you are going to get a new harness have you thought about the grey? I really like the look of that mask or almost all "silver/grey masks using the grey harness. I actually still have the gray harness from my old gray mask but ever really liked it against the black hat. Might look at it again tomorrow and re think it.

Looks good Mr Ump. What kind of plate coat are you wearing in the pic? Bought the plate coat from Honigs....

I have a Honig's and love it. Quality is superb and it is my preferred coat vs jacket and ball bags. My 44 fit true to size but I do recommend having yourself measured just to be sure. Every time I wear it someone compliments the plate coat. Glad I made the investment.

Here is the Limited Edition Wilson Dark Grey Dyna Lite Mask in action with black Team Wendy's pad's.

I understand Majordave...I ordered a pair in black and just need one more TW for my all black mask.....probably order next week...was looking to get yours on a deal but still $40 is not a lot when I will sell the slightly used wrap arounds for $30-35....

You are right, time to blacken in that W logo until the MLB harness comes in...

Ha Ha..great post....

Good idea....I am hands on knee so maybe I will use that as my lock. I will try that today. If you are hands on knees, then that should be your lock. That's if you stay HOK , or do you start HOK stance and then drift into something else as the pitch comes in? The GD or HOK is a very good stance for a rock solid lock in. No I start HOK and then once caught or almost caught he said I was drifting up.....I will work on that LOCK of the HOK today....and report back...I just realized I am working with my son today..he will love the opportunity to critic Dear old Dad.....this should be good....he is a good ump tho so he will be fair and accurate in what he sees and says...

Didn't miss a pitch? Damn! I've never called a perfect game. LOL...Figure of speech...What I should of said was did not call any strikes balls....

Good idea....I am hands on knee so maybe I will use that as my lock. I will try that today.

The level of ball I call is an open men's league. Its open to anyone 18+. The baseball is actually pretty good. There are a few former NCAA guys and a few former Varsity league guys. I call it rulebook: Over the plate, no lower than the hollow beneath the knees and no higher than the mid-point between the belt and the shoulders. Like I say, I MIGHT be a little small on the outside corner. I want to maybe give the pitcher a little bit more on the outside edge. Fix that outside corner issue. Like was said earlier from the batters box chalk in to the plate - call it, especially in a men's league. If you don't you gonna be out there forever. The batters will adjust. You got to try it to ever be able to do it. You really don't want the reputation of a 'small' zone. Then you get labelled a batters ump. I would rather be a 'pitchers' ump. Get's me to my car faster. Those batters will take pitches forever if they know you got a small zone. Trust me on that one.

Had a DIII game today on the dish which was proceeded by last nights 11 inning second game of a NAIA (Top teams tho) Dh. In last nights game I was hit 4 times by foul balls. One on my wrist, thought it was broke but it was just 40 degrees so it felt broke but numb went away. Had not been hit all season but last night sure made up for it. Flash forward today and had two average at best catchers. My partner (a Frontier Lg guy) said I seemed 'jumpy' and calling pitches as soon as they hit the glove. I have been working to stay locked in for 16 years but today I didn't even realize I was moving. Can't wait until tomorrow to see if I have settled down. My partner said to watch the logo on the catchers glove and not do anything until I see that logo. Do any of you guys have any suggestions for a 'jumpy' ump...LOL...just trying to get back to my A game.... BTW did not miss any pitches or hear any complaints from players or coaches....one fan said something but he was an idiot....LOL

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