Welpe

Balls and Strikes needs to be near the top.

I thought about burning the dugout and have reflected on that since the game. Based upon how loud and obnoxious he was, I still like how I handled it in this game for this level. It's definitely a useful tool and I've used it before with good effect.

Tracking the ball through the zone is key. The catcher can be a help. If he is sticking pitches and not all over the place, you'll have a better chance at seeing what is in the zone. A good stick can buy him a borderline pitch. If you have two bad catchers though, you do the best you can to get those strikes so your zone doesn't shrink to a dinner saucer. I had a 14U game last week where one of the catchers couldn't catch a cold. I called a strike on an inside pitch at the belt that the catcher dropped. I heard a fan yell "You can't call it a strike if he didn't catch it!" I felt like yelilng back "We're going to be here a long time using that standard, skippy." I just laughed to myself instead.

FWIW, pilling is not that unusual with wool garments. A fabric shaver will take care of it with little fuss.

FWIW, I gave you feedback and you didn't respond back just told us to accept your idea. When you talked about flipping your ball bag into your pants I truly thought you were joking because I can't fathom anybody actually doing that.

I guess the indicator lanyard must've been a clue but good April Fool's post. Bravo.

You don't work in sales, do you? I wasn't talking about keeping the balls dry, only that the Dry-Lo already had some of the features you were seeking. Come up with a material that won't become saturated and defeat the purpose of what you're trying to do and I'm all ears. There's always a better mousetrap to be made...and then there's the mask hook.

You can buy Dry-Lo ball bags without pockets and they have a nylon type backing. Best ball bag on the market IMO. The clips themselves, I'd be open to seeing put into practice and maybe trying. Just keep in mind some umpires like ball bag pockets.

I've noticed this issue also.

I've noticed just recently that when I go to quote a post in Tapatalk, I cannot submit my post. If I clear the quoted section out, it will post OK. Has anybody else run into this? I'm running Tapatalk for Android on a Galaxy S3. I haven't tried using it yet with the Tapatalk HD app on my Nexus tablet.

I like the idea but I don't see it working well in practice. The terry cloth would get saturated rather quickly. Speak for yourself, I use mine all the time. Lineup card, brush, pen in the right bag pockets. Indicator between innings and a stopwatch (if needed) in the left. Folded up microfiber towel also goes in the left bag on wet days.

I hope you mean you don't need to tell me. I used to get them by the bushel when I was new to this and then new to an area. 25 years later, I have one or two a year - when people are amazed I remember them, it's because I have so few. This from a guy who dumped someone for rolling his eyes at you? Christ, if I dumped everyone who rolled their eyes at me, I'd have to start with my wife when I roll out of bed in the morning, followed by the kids, my boss - the list goes on.... Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2 Technical foul != ejection

"I completely agree with this statement. I called a furnace guy to come to my house they other day. It was $90 to show up at my house. Umpires get paid $hit...because ol' Smitty will always work for little or nothing." I refereed a middle school football game a couple of years back for a small school district here. When I received my check, part of the paperwork included a pay schedule for various jobs. It was interesting to me that the hired security got paid about 2.5 times what the officials actually working the game got paid. I don't think I saw the guard leave his gulf cart once except to get nachos. Good thing we do this for the money I'm fortunate in that almost all of the games I work are with a partner. I did a LL intermediate game last week by myself and don't care to make a steady habit of it.

You're welcome. Signed, A Red Ass

Liquid polish? Sure. Wax paste? Ain't nobody got time for dat. Seriously Murphy's and a shine sponge does such a good job I don't see the need for the time invested.

Wow I didn't know the Federation moonlighted writing local Pony rules.

Bam, were the words spoken about the same too? Maybe there's a handbook for LL coaches with lines to use on umpires.

Worked the dish on a LL majors game tonight. Game was plugging along back and forth with little to note. The visitors fell behind and went into the 5th down 2. With two outs and an R1, R3, they had R1 steal and R3 delay steal when the F2 threw the ball back to the F1. The runner slid into the tag and through the catcher's legs. Easy, obvious out. I bang it for the third out much to the vocal displeasure of the visitors. I go to clean the plate and one of the assistants yells sarcastically from the dugout, "Yeah you clean that plate!" I stand up and tell him, that's enough from you. He retorts back immediately "Yeah, this is terrible!" Say good night, Gracie. He starts to leave whining "Good I'm glad I got ejected from this game. You're horrible!" Followed by the cries from somewhere about sending an email, yadda yadda. This was my first ejection after coming back last year from a nine year layoff. It was just like riding a bike.

Purchase Officials is selling Smitty shirts on ebay under the name diner30. Last I checked, they ran about $22 a piece including shipping. I have purchased from them several times and these are my favorite shirts, even over the much lauded Ultimate Officials shirts from Ump Attire. Check their other auctions for good prices on new gear.

Maybe Jeff moonlights as a proctologist and got his gigs confused? :D

Tell him that according to the NFHS preseason guide this year, that subs made by the offense while they are on offense are not projected and that a legal sub was made. Then tell him the now legal batter is BOO and was properly fixed before the at bat was over. Sounds pretty clean to me.

I have an FM4000 already that is my primary otherwise I'd make an FM25 my primary.

That's not a bad idea. $25 right now online. Add in a set of TW pads and that'd be a pretty good backup mask.

Depends on how bad the bend is, who I can send, what the status of the game is, etc. I always have two masks and two cups. Never have needed to change either mid game. That would be awkward - "Hey buddy, can you go to the blue Honda back there and get my cup out of the bag in the trunk please?" I wear a ShockDoctor titanium. If I need a replacement cup, I probably don't really need one because a call to the coroner would probably be more appropriate.

You are ruining the integrity of the game! Just imagine all of the other rules he ignores.