3rdGENump

Congrats!

A word to the wise... or however that saying goes. BE CAREFUL UMPIRING IS VERY ADDICTING!!! I started 5-6 years ago saying to myself I would just do a FEW games 10-15 a season. Next thing I know I'm doing 125+ games a season, umpiring every weekend, 2-3 nights a week, sometimes more, and have dropped $1000+ on equipment, uniforms, and accessories.

I also work tournaments about every weekend. Another one of the big things to find out is if they are going to provide meals and drinks. Most tournaments that I work provide lunch, small snacks, and water. I you are going to want additional food/drinks, remember to bring a little cash for the concession stand. Here is the list of things that I carry in my bag for a weekend tournament: Alieve, icyhot, chapstick, sunscreen, bugspray, foot powder, frog togg, extra towels, extra socks, and extra change of under clothes. It is also important to plan and pack for all types of weather. Yesterday we started off the day sunny, mid 70's with a south wind of 15+, about 11 am a cold front pushed through and the temps dropped to the low 50's with north winds 25+. (Fans, players, and umpires quickly went scrambling for jackets) Then by about 2PM temps were back up into the 70's. A lot of times I get a hard time from fellow umpires about how much STUFF I bring with me, guess who wasn't complaining they were cold when the weather changed... this guy! And guess who was asking if I had an extra jacket. Long story short, pack twice as much as you think you are going to need!!!

Has anyone found them on sale online? The baseball savings has very limited sizes left.

I saw the NB 460's in person for the first time last weekend, those things are FUGLY!!!

Congrats... Now it is time to do what you do best, UMPIRE. Take the above advise and slow down, it is just another game for the umpires.

My 4 year old loves to come watch me umpire. She was even showing the UIC her strike three mechanic last weekend. Her favorite part is to help me clean my shoes when I get home, Momma lets her stay up late to wait for me to get home so she can help clean my shoes. She loves to spray the Murphy's Oil, but usually gets more on myself than she does on the shoes...

I always know that it is not going to turn out good for myself when the catcher is crying. It usually ends with me getting hit multiple times that half inning…

14U softball tournament championship game, I'm BU. It is a great game 0-0 going into the 5th, and then each team scores 2 runs in the 5th. Top of 6, 2 out and I have a banger at first and sell the out great. As the defensive team runs off the field I go in to sweep off the pitching plate, as I am bent down sweeping the rubber, the coach that was in the first base coaches box walks across the infield and loudly tells me I have missed 2 calls already, the last one will probably cost them the game, and that I am a terrible umpire. I stood up and told the coach that was enough and warned him, any additional comments and he would eject himself from the game. He turned to walk to the dugout and loudly said "You also need to adjust your sunglasses so you can see!!!" BANG - He's gone... I informed the coaches of his team that he has ejected himself from the game and the complex and if he enters anytime during the remainder of the game that their team would forfeit. After the next half inning our UIC came and asked what had happened because the ejected coach was wanting an explaination as to why he was ejected. I let him know what happened and he just shook his head...

Yes , ACL is going to take about a year to fully recover. The biggest thing to remember is to not try and come back too soon. When I was playing college football I was around many players who tore out knees, the ones who came back too soon always had to have addional surgury because they tore what was fixed. They ended up being out even longer.

I have had this happen during a football game. I laid a big hit on the RB and my chinstrap broke, my helmet came down and cut the bridge of my nose. In football, you might as well plan on having an open cut the remainder of the season. Any hit with the helmet pulls on the skin and breaks it open again.

Their prices looked pretty good, the shipping to get the items to me was the BAD part. 2-3X what I have paid from other online retailers.

I get the pleasure of umpiring WITH my mother and sister. We have yet to have any kind of problem, I would guess that most people do not even know we are related. It also helps that they are both very good umpires. It is a great way to spend time together.

You could keep your shirt tucked in and hold your nutty buddy at the same time!!!

I was in car sales for 3+ years, the money was great but the hours were not. I was recently married with a child on the way when I started. After working 6 days a week, 8AM to 8PM, my wife and I decided it was not worth the extra money. Our daughter was growing up and I was missing most of it. I am still in sales but the industry I am in now works 8-5 M-F, and it is great! I have evenings and weekends to umpire.

Nothing like the smell of hot rubber on a summer day... I you have umpired or played on the new artifical turf fields you will know what I mean.

In turn I would do the same while his in PU, but wait until it is a LARGE woman who is dressed skimpy... that will teach him.

I took a shot last weekend in my NB 450's, that hurt like... I hit the outside of the shoe between the toe box and the met gaurd. I was not expecting to feel as much pain as i did.

I think my next equipment purchase is going to be the nutty buddy. As far as the sizing goes, do you go with the height recommendation or the weight? I am 6 ft and 250. Based on the height I would go with the trophy but based on weight I would need the mongo... I just want to make sure to order the correct size. Thanks!

Welcome

That is how I started because I didn't have anything else. I quickly learned and saved up some game checks to buy a pair of plate shoes.

I hate watching warm up pitches and seeing the catch not making any effort to catch the ball. From that point on I know it is going to be bad news for me!!!

Sounds like you did a great job in your first appearance. Nothing like starting your career doing a high school varsity game! Now you have a taste for it and can work on all the small things at lower levels.

Did you go with the black or tan? I have been trying to decide which would look better on that mask.

Sounds like a great experience! Congrats