JordanF

I don't know if anyone has noticed or even cares, but have you noticed that a lot of pictures of umpires in magazines and online show terrible mechanics? Fellow umpires with their head way below the top of the catchers head, or safe calls with with arms flailing in the air, or wearing hats backwards. Am I just lucky that almost every guy I work with in my district has gone to a regional school, umpired a regional tournament at some level, or is a regional instructor? Can there really be that many umpires out there with really bad mechanics? I just can't figure this out. My feeling is that if you are going to umpire, you should take every opportunity to further your training and reinforce good mechanics. This is just something I have noticed lately and it kinda bothers me. Say what you will, but I had to get this off my chest.

I finally got to use my new mask today in a scrimmage. It is the lightest mask I have ever owned, and the visibility is excellent ( I have the traditional profile one). It is truly worth every penny of the heavy price tag.

Okay, well then I will give them a shot. Thanks!

I thought this whole thing was over, but now I am really mad with Honigs. Three weeks ago when i placed my order, the poly-wools were not in stock in my size, and were not do to be in stock until April. So, I ordered the ultimate plate and ultimate base slacks and the website said I would have them in early March. I finally called them today and asked and they said the ultimates were on backorder and my name was pretty far down the list. And here is the kicker, the poly-wool plate slacks are now in stock in my size the base slacks aren't. So, I think I will cancel my order for the ultimates and buy a pair of poly-wool plate slacks. But, Honigs has no dark grey base slacks in stock and my season is starting what do I do? I am thinking that I may just order a pair of the new dark grey base slacks from Jim Kirk at ump-attire but really want the poly-wools for the bases. I have no idea what to do. Wow, I feel a lot better now after writing this all down.

Learn something new everyday. I had no idea that Mr. West had a patent, it makes a lot of sense now why Wilson dominates the market.

I would love to see Reebok collaborate with MLB and MiLB umpires to create plate gear that competes with Wilson. Wilson has somewhat of a monopoly on hard shell CP's...Ridell quit making the Power, and at least in the mean time Douglas is not making gear. I have nothing against Wilson, or paying top dollar for protection, but a little competition would and a few more options wouldn't hurt.

I still cringe when I see this picture, but... all three umpires are wearing Rbks with white on them, and they look cean and professional. I have the same shoes as the umpire on the left except in all black, Kerwin is wearing the field magistrate plates, and the umpire on the right is wearing the field magistrate base shoes. I think you could still polish them very easily with some of the stuff I got in a goody bag at LL Western Region School. It comes in a rectangular plastic box and has a sponge with clear polish pre applied. One simply ruds the sponge over the entire shoe, and because it is clear, the black stays black and the white stays white. It gives a great shine to my shoes.

Is anyone going to CDP the week of July 18? I have been selected to go, but I don't yet have a team. Since I am only 20, I can't rent a car to drive there and would be looking for someone to carpool with. I am so excited to go as an umpire this time, I went as a player in 2001. Thanks Jordan

I went to the Corvalis clinic in 2007 and loved it. The last day at lunch I bought $10 worth of raffle tickets and walked out with a brand new Honigs K1. Same year, I went to the LL Western Region Junior School and loved that as well. I am taking two of our young guys with me, and hopefully they end up at the Junior school come June.

Umpires are athletes too! Why can't we wear athletic shoes? IMO every piece of equipment we strap on sets us apart from the players. The Rbk plate shoes were designed by umpires and they have white on them. The umpires who wear them are not being paid to do so, so I guess the white doesn't bother them.

I'm working with Lake Oswego Little League for the regular season. I also help out with District Four umpire training and work most of the Honors and All-Star tourneys at the district and state level. I really wanted to go to the Jim Evans Clinic this year, but I was forced to get a job in the offseason to help pay for my college and after updating my equipment I just do not have the money to go. After, college I plan on going to the six week school and work my way up the ladder. I will be going to the LL Northwest Clinic in March (the league is paying for it) so if any of you are going I would love to meet you.

I really am not sure. The Portland High School Assoc is PBUA. It looks like I won't be doing HS ball this season as I was persuaded to be one of the UIC's at my local little league which means I will be doing lots of work on the small diamond and training new umps. There is a new Junior Big League starting, so I will get to do some 90' foot games. Hopefully I can get back to big boy ball next spring.

I have worn both, but prefer the traditional style mask. I just bought the wilson titanium mask and mounted an inboard 6" throat protector. It is super light and has great visibility.

Ump-attire now has the base version of the field magistrates in stock. Another big white logo, but I don't think I am really that opposed to having white on my shoes. I think if you keep the white clean and the black clean, you still maintain a professional image on the field. I have a pair of the older Reebok base shoes in all black and they are probably one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes I own. I even find myself wearing them more than NBs. What do you all think of these? http://www.ump-attire.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=RMAGIS2&Category_Code=UMPIRE-BASE-SHOES&Product_Count=3

Man, now the base slacks are not expected to be delivered until early March what now? I guess my old slacks will have to do for the first few weeks of the season.