Richvee

Any opinions on spraying them with some of these UV fabric protectant sprays?

I don’t have the energy to debate this tonight. But that’s just not supported by any definition of a catch.

Without purchasing it from a place like referee.com, I don’t know. Our association gave out copies this year. I got to say, it’s totally revamped, and a LOT better than it used to be.

This shouldn’t be an issue in FED. FED does not want a catch/no catch changed on fair fly ball with runners on. ‘25-‘26 FED umpire manual ”Get the Call Right” page 40.

The question is, and FED has never told us as far as I know, what call do you make on the obstructed runner if he’s tagged out at the base he’s automatically protected to? We’re not supposed to call time because other runners may be moving. Do we call him out and fix it later? Do we call him safe? Do we say nothing? My thoughts are, on the bases, call him safe, point to the base. Something like “Safe here on obstruction”. By rule, the play stays alive. Maybe the defense now makes a play on the BR advancing to 2B. If they do, if you called r1 out and want to fix it later, you have deprived him of trying for home on the throw to 2B. I say “On the bases”, because at home it really doesn’t matter. Just don’t kill it. The obstructed runner has nowhere else to go.

Off topic, but since you brought it up...Helped at a training clinic yesterday. I was well aware of a few female cadets, and the fact that some are learning both softball and baseball. The amount of times I caught myself using him, the guy, he while referring to coaches, players, and umpires was horrifying...Even though I was aware and trying not to.

I was just coming back to say perhaps I spoke too soon. Lagging, but hopefully it doesn't fall back to unbearable like it was

Show him a video or pics of a mechanic he needs to correct? His velo on the last two batters? Plenty other things

Yes. way better since yesterday.

I would allow it. I think I’d “monitor “ the conference. Make sure that’s all they’re using the phone for. Getting direction from leadership/ association/state is probably a good idea. If for no other reason than the same “rule” applies at every game. Thinking it through, it’s probably a better idea for the coach to get a ruling from the state and if approved have the approval on hand in case “that guy” is umpiring who wants to make it an issue.

I have to admit. The Gold was my first “real” CP when I graduated to big boy ball. Yeah, I looked like a linebacker. But it served me well for a long time. Do I like my Cobalt more? You bet. But I really can’t complain with the protection and years of use I got out of the Gold. Maybe I was lucky.

I feel the same. BU has this stuff at 1b unless PU has F/F down the FR line when what’s going on at 1B is right in front of him. . I just don’t want to muddy the waters say this is the case for 60 foot mechanics, because it’s been a long time, and I really don’t remember if they’re different.

I. Ant tell you how many times an inning has ended and I’m jogging back to my between innings spot on short RF, only to get there, turn around and see the handshake line forming. Not a big deal. I rarely know the score or inning if there’s no scoreboard.

I’m noticing more and more umpires using them. The more I see them, the less the round shape or large size looks odd. I helped out at a clinic today, and some of the guys had older bags. They look so small. Like little man purses. 😁

I ordered a set in January’23 so I’ve used them for two years now. I love them. They will keep balls dry for a while, but like any bag, once they get too wet, nothing works. The volume and ease of getting a hand in and out makes them the best bags I’ve ever used. That said, two years in, and as I’m putting all my gear together this spring, I noticed they are beginning to fade. They don’t look bad yet, but if I fold over a piece there’s a big difference in the color of the two sides. They have seen a lot of games. But it’s looking like three years of heavy use and they’ll be faded to the point where I’ll buy another set.