ScottFaulkenberry

Hello guys....First time back in the Forums since last year...First Varsity game today in Bakersfield, Independence vs Liberty...Finally a game after lots of rain in California! Good Luck to everyone this season....

I wear 1, in our High School games, baseballs are at a premium, lucky if you get 4 to start a game, usually only 3, so I use the Ump Attire XL, keep my pen, indicator and brush in there, plenty of room for me........

Just ordered these off eBay for $60.....I have NB Plate shoes and like them...These will replace some Nike leather Pre Game MVP turfs I have used for a few years.....Anyone have these and do you like them?

I use a red or blue mini ink pen so my notes are a different color than the black on the cards from the coaches....keep it the little slot inside the Ump Attire XL ball bag instead of the shirt pocket for the reason clasonater mentioned...foul ball, broken pen, ruined shirt.....

I switched mine to the smoke colored lens....the red lenses were a little too flashy for me lol.....

It can get pretty hot here in Bakersfield so they understand...This I think will look better than water bottles jammed in to the fence, besides, putting your water in the dugout with High School players, you never know what they will put inside it...I have heard some Icy Hot has made its way onto an Umps jug spout before.... LOL

Found this water jug at Dick's Sporting Goods....64oz insulated...Has fence hooks built in to the handle....Will be nice to keep water off the ground and out of the dugouts.....$25

Seriously....These are nice mats, definitely good for changing in the parking lot in the Central Valley when it is 115*

Damn Canadiens..........

After using some old Oakley M Blades for years, just got a pair of Evoshield Evoscopes Matte Black off eBay from bpathletics...They come with those red lenses and a set of smoke lenses....He had them on a Best Offer listing, he took $59 plus $5.95 shipping, I like them, very similar to Oakley Half Jackets...They are still $99 at Dick's Sporting Goods so I think I got a good deal on them....If you look at the video about them on the Evoshield website, they look to be pretty tough.....

Used some ancient Oakley M Blades forever, just bought a pair of the Evoshield Evoscopes in matte black...They come with the red lens and a pair of smoke lens...got them on eBay from bpathletics...He had them on a best offer, got them for $59.00 plus $5.95 shipping....I like them, very similar to the Oakley Half Jackets....They are still $99.99 at places like Dick's Sporting Goods...

Have a Wilson Shock FX 2.0 HSM, have used for 3 years...Really like it. I also say buy the best equipment you can afford...I like my Wilson West Vest and Platinum leg guards...New Balance plate shoes and Nike Air Elite Pre Game turf shoes for the bases....Good Luck!

Just received my UmpLife Lineup Card Holder from @Razzer....Very nice! Think it is going to work out nice...Thanks Ray!

Thanks for info....Since you have been through it, I might wear you out with the "Have you felt this before?" questions LOL....

Thanks guys for the encouragement....I think running on it will be the toughest thing to get over, and like Aging_Arbiter said, I think it is more apprehension than anything...I have a great doctor who has been really supportive of me getting back on the field...He said go have fun and realize your knee is better than it was when I was hurting and hobbling around the field the last season I worked...Our head instructor said the pivot is a problem, he does college and says some guys who have had knees done don't do the pivot anymore and don't have any problems or catch grief from coaches....I have Wilson Pro Platinum Shin Guards, they have two knee caps....You suggest going to some with three?

I imagine I will be sore after the first few games getting back in shape...Thanks for the reply...I need to talk to him to find out what to expect...

After umpiring High School Baseball for two seasons, my right knee decided not to cooperate, and had to have a total knee replacement in November 2014...I missed the 2014 & 2015 seasons because of it, but just got the OK to Umpire again for the upcoming 2016 season. I have not been on the Forum for awhile since I was not umpiring, but am looking forward to the season and getting back on the website...Was wondering if any of you out there have had a total knee replacement and have returned to Umpiring? If anyone can let me know what to expect, I would appreciate it! Been hitting the gym and bicycling to try and get back in to shape...Excited to get back as I really enjoy Baseball and Umpiring!

Just checking in to keep my status up to date...Did not umpire this past season due to a bad right knee...Scheduled for knee replacement in November 2014, I hope after it is all said and done, and can get back to umpiring...I really missed it this last season! Hope everyone is doing well..... Scott

Ahhhh Travel Ball 14 & 12 & Under Coaches...They all should be in the Bigs...Just ask them! That is why I try to stick with High School level games...Welcome from a fellow Bakersfield, California Ump! Thanks for the personal message...I'll get you going with KCOA next year...Definitely get to a good Umpire camp, Black and Blue here in Califonia is good, all DI (CWS Experience) Billy Haze, Billy Jo Speck, Joel Henrichs, etc., Went to their camp 2 years ago and it was realky good...want to go to their 3 Man this year if my bum knee will let me! I have really enjoyed this site, lots of good guys on here with lots of experience and good information! Welcome and Enjoy!

Anyone had any luck with Wilson customer service? A bar on my cage on my Shock FX bent after a foul tip...I emailed them, they responded quickly, they said to mail my mask in to be looked at to determine if defective or not....The mask is about 18 months old, did its job, didn't feel a thing...Just wondered if anyone has gone through this process and what the outcome was? Turn around they said would be about 10 days...Waiting to finish my High School season before sending it in, it's the only mask I have...

Wilson Pro Stock Shock FX 2.0 Matte Black Finish...Added the Wilson Shock FX Throat Guard...I really like my rig, no issues, is light and provides good protection...No complaints so far...

I just started umpiring last year, was a cop for 29 years, with the shift work, it was hard to be certain i would get off on time each day, but my partners covered for me so I made all my High School games last year....This year, I'm RETIRED!!! I ump as much as I want, block the days my son plays Frosh Soph Baseball to go watch....I do 3 High School games a week now....Great fun, really enjoy it...However, I have found my right knee does not enjoy it quite as much! LOL! Another Cortizone shot is calling my name!

Gangster Mentality........

Matte Finish on mine....Just wipe it down with a wet rag to get the dust off...Those Mr Clean foam scrubbing pads take any scuffs off from foul balls, just don't scrub too hard!

I liked the announcement! Good one!!!