Recontra

I am bone on bone on the outside of my left knee. Now getting steroid shots a little less than 3x per year—eventually will need a replacement. Here’s what’s worked for me: (1) MAVA Sports (or similar) neoprene compression knee sleeve—best $26.95 you’ll ever spend on your knees. I’ve tried every type and style of prescription and over-the-counter knee brace there is (ones with straps, hinges, so-called “compression” sleeves from others—nothing works like these). Designed for weight lifters. They will not slip, truly squeeze the knee and keep it more stable, and seriously reduce arthritic knee pain during and after games (at least for me). I now wear them backpacking and even under my custom ACL Reconstruction hinged brace I still wear skiing, basketball, or tennis. And they eliminate the need for leggings—just some Force 3 (or other high) socks and these—shin guard straps won’t touch you—and the set up is way, way cooler in the summer than wearing leggings; (2) I lost 50 pounds from the beginning of this last season. Truly amazing the effect that had on my knee pain (and ability to more comfortably work double headers—and get my ass up one of the lines during a game); (3) Plate umpires go up and down about 250 times a day. Squats! Lunges! You don’t even need a lot (or any) weight; (4) Walk. I now try to walk 6 miles a day— very little stress on the knees — got myself a decent hybrid/gravel e-assist bike. Amazing how that benefits and gets all the juices flowing throughout my lower extremities; and (5) Consult with a licensed naturopathic physician (N.D) if your state has such things. My PCP here in Oregon is an N.D. Prescribes all my meds and testosterone, but also encourages me to consume copious amounts of glucosamine sulphate (1/2 tsp), liquid fish oil by the tablespoon, “at least” a teaspoon of powdered vitamin C every day, Vitamin D-3 5,000 units, and other relatively inexpensive nutritional supplements our bodies have a hard time absorbing the older we get—none of which are patented so there’s no money to be made promoting them. Here’s the link to the MAVA sleeves on Amazon:

Thanks for those links! Never saw that actual play before. For me, that’s the toughest play in any game to umpire, that and a one hopper whacker to the bag with three sounds and a blur of footsteps. I had 3-4 this season, wasn’t ever 100% on any of them, and just consider myself lucky as hell that my partner each time said post game that it looked like I got it right, . . . that and no skipper came out to give me a piece of his mind. What the hell did I just see and hear??!! Video and audio intracranial replay . . . followed by a very emphatic and loud signaling mechanic that looks a hell of a lot more confident than the dude in blue/black/beige actually making it, and then confidently jogging out to short right to finish the sale. Yikes!!

Rec’d this photo this morning showing one of the better umpires I occasionally get to work with taking a whacker at 1st yesterday, lasar focused on the bag. Love the athletic-set stance, too. I started doing that this season and am never going back to Hands-on-Knees set at least in A and C. Still not sure about B—been doing both of late. Can’t figure out which I prefer to work quick pick-offs.

I’ve been wearing the Hoka Challenger 7 wides for base shoes this season since it stopped raining. My 62 year old arthritic knees under my overweight body have never been happier. They’re a trail runner/hiker, so have great traction sole (even better than my New Balance which I now use for just wet conditions). Very light weight, and they breathe (are cool on hot turf—cooler I should say—the New Balance simply don’t breathe at all). They will collect dust, but clean up easily with just a touch of water and a brush. The Challenger wides are not quite wide enough for my feet, so I had to go a half size up to get a little more width. They’re actually on sale now https://www.hoka.com/en/us/mens-trail/challenger-7/1134497.html?dwvar_1134497_color=BBLC For wide feet like mine, the Bondi 9 “extra wide” all black is simply the most comfortable shoe I’ve ever worn anywhere, with maximum cushion for the knees (also light weight and very breathable). They also fit my foot to size. The sole doesn’t have as good traction, but they are like running on clouds. For dry conditions or turf, “sublime” is the word that comes to my mind. I have both—and I find myself wearing the Bondi 9 extra wides everywhere off the field. https://www.hoka.com/en/us/mens-everyday-running-shoes/bondi-9/1162011.html?dwvar_1162011_color=BBLC I find both to be very stable with lateral movement, and the durability so far has been great. They ain’t cheap, but for my arthritic knees they have been worth every penny. Even if they end up breaking down quicker than my New Balance, I’d probably still buy another pair of each. And if Hoka ends up selling an all black extra wide trail runner/hiker, I will probably hoard a few pairs.

I thought this mechanics Bible was out of print, but picked up a brand new 2023 copyright copy to loan out next spring to guys in my association. It is most definitely worth the $49.99 IMO! I read it cover to cover almost every year along with the Rulebooks. Got my own personal worn copy Hancocked several years ago at the Desert Classic. I have no idea how many copies Amazon has.

I have a long torso as well. Started with a Wilson Platinum, it was bullet proof, but it wouldn’t cover my lowest two ribs on either side, and after taking some shots which bruised a rib (sore for weeks), I sold it to a normal torso volunteer LL umpire for $40. Three chest protectors I’ve used which definitely cover my lower ribs (and some of my tummy) are: Force3 (I had the original and upgraded to the newer version with added hard plates a couple years ago). Love it. Very customizable, and have taken 90 mph+ and just felt a “slap” that didn’t hurt. My only criticisms are the price (high), and for some reason I’ve felt impacts to the lower shoulder like in the arm pit area. Maybe I need to adjust the shoulder plates down. Douglas 3-Panel (15”) has 3 front plates This thing is bullet proof. Have taken 90 mph+ doing some volunteer D-1 Fall and Winter games, and felt absolutely nothing. No criticism whatsoever with the protection. That 3rd panel definitely covers my lower ribs and part of my tummy. My criticisms are that it is kind of bulky, and because the hard plates are so thick (a good thing), they don’t really round around/hug the torso. I tried heating the plates, bending them, etc. to make the protector lower profile, but the plates always went back to square. The protector is also hot—not good ventilation. but it is solid protection. All Star Cobalt with lower extension Great protector, light weight, and covers everything the other two do for us long torso guys. Great protection. My criticism concerns the lower abdomen extension, as it sticks out on the sides like wings. People here have posted a partial fix for that. I ended up giving mine away to a young college umpire who didn’t need the lower extension, and he continues to love it—he previously used a Wilson Platinum.

Force3 Chest Protector $209.96 on Amazon Prime. I’m very happy I bought mine for full price a couple years ago ($299), and my Douglas 3 panel hard shell has been in a cupboard ever since. I did just get a 32” Force3 Ultimate Umpire bag for 25% off with an Amazon “brand coupon” that appeared—something I actually needed, as my 12-year old Wilson bag is now held together with duct tape and gun oil on the zippers is now less effective.

I have a Douglas 3 panel hard shell I'd part with. The thing is basically bullet proof, and I got the 3 panel as I'm 6' 2" and tend to "whine and rub" when I get nailed in the tummy 😃

I was just on www.ump-attire.com, and for the Cobalt chest protector, they have one new photo which looks like an improved version that fixes the lower abdominal plate issue (flappy wings on the lower sides) for many of us over 6 feet tall who need (or at least want) to use that lower abdominal plate. Anyone have any intel?? Here's the photo from the website.

Little League Fall Ball—where everyone and their little brother (or sister) gets a shot at playing catcher—the balloon chest protector is a beautiful thing. Beautiful. Simply beautiful.

Anyone know if there is any word on new or upgraded umpire gear coming out for the 2023 season? I've got great gear now, but confess I like to buy & try new stuff when it's available.

Mad Max is joking, but not really 😃 It's been a couple of years since I've done a LL fall ball game, but here's what I learned: LL Fall Ball, all levels, "a developmental autumn season where everyone AND THEIR LITTLE BROTHER gets to play catcher!" Dress accordingly, so you have fun, too! A buddy who is a much senior and much wiser volunteer than me says he always wears an old style Balloon Chest Protector for LL fall ball. When I first did LL fall ball, I mistakenly clung to the naive delusion that "Balloon Chest Protectors are for sucks!" After my second game of being the backstop, I started leaving my chest protector in my pickup, stopped by the League Equipment Shed on my way to the field, and grabbed a balloon protector. That one equipment modification made fall ball as recreationally fun for me as it was for the players who were playing "up" a league--and I never cared when the little brothers came out of the dugout with catcher's gear on, because Balloon Chest Protectors really aren't for sucks!

Such a tough play for BU on the line to call, even harder when it's a line drive curling toward your head. Everyone will tell you post-game that you should just move inside on this ball, because it's going to curve towards foul territory, but that's so tough to do--move into the oncoming ball. A couple times every season, I can't make my body do that and end up abandoning the line. Here, the PU was farther off the line than U3 when the ball got to 3rd, and U3 still may have had the best look. But I also agree that this is a situation that needs to be both pre-gamed and executed unequivocally. If U3 has to abandon the line and let PU make the fair/foul call, then he and PU have got to make eye contact, PU has got to come in big thumping his chest "Partner, I got it!" and then emphatically make the call. PU is taking U3's primary call (fair/foul call on batted ball that goes beyond 3rd base). That didn't happen. Neither one of them were on the line, and PU was further off of it than U3. I'd still like an explanation as to how the video reviewers determined that they were going to declare the ball was fair after one of them signalled it foul, and award R-1 three bases. R-1 wouldn't necessarily have scored, he may even have held up at 2nd. Other than that play, it was a remarkably well-called game by the crew, including U3 and PU. And that deserves repeating. It was a remarkably well-called game by the crew, including U3 and PU. PU was solid. I feel so bad for all of them, Bend North as well as the crew, especially U3.

Oregon has two statutes that other states might want to adopt. The 1st permits a sports official to eject any player, coach, parent, or fan from any sports field or sports complex (even public parks) who engages in inappropriate behavior. Violators commit criminal trespass. The 2nd provides liquidated damages and attorneys fees to any sports official who is subjected to offensive contact, during or after the game, on the field or in the immediate vicinity of the complex (i.e. parking lot). Actual injury need not be shown. ORS 164.274 As used in ORS 164.276 and 164.278 : (1) “Coach” means a person who instructs or trains members of a team or directs the strategy of a team participating in a sports event. (2) “Inappropriate behavior” means: (a) Engaging in fighting or in violent, tumultuous or threatening behavior; (b) Violating the rules of conduct governing coaches, team players and spectators at a sports event; (c) Publicly insulting another person by abusive words or gestures in a manner intended to provoke a violent response; or (d) Intentionally subjecting another person to offensive physical contact. (3) “Premises” has the meaning given that term in ORS 164.205 . (4) “Spectator” means any person, other than a team player or coach, who attends a sports event. (5) “Sports official” has the meaning given that term in ORS 30.882. ORS 164.276 A sports official may order a coach, team player or spectator to leave the premises at which a sports event is taking place and at which the sports official is officiating if the coach, team player or spectator is engaging in inappropriate behavior. ORS 164.278 (1) A person commits the crime of criminal trespass at a sports event if the person: (a) Is a coach, team player or spectator at a sports event; (b) Engages in inappropriate behavior; (c) Has been ordered by a sports official to leave the premises at which the sports event is taking place; and (d) Fails to leave the premises or returns to the premises during the period of time when reentry has been prohibited. (2) Criminal trespass at a sports event is a Class C misdemeanor. ORS 30.882 Award of liquidated damages to sports official subjected to offensive physical contact (1) In addition to, and not in lieu of any other damages that may be claimed, a plaintiff who is a sports official shall receive liquidated damages in an amount not less than $500 but not more than $1,000 in any action in which the plaintiff establishes that: (a)The defendant intentionally subjected the plaintiff to offensive physical contact; (b) The defendant knew that the plaintiff was a sports official at the time the offensive physical contact was made; (c) The offensive physical contact is made while the plaintiff is within, or in the immediate vicinity of, a facility at which the plaintiff serves as a sports official for a sports event; and (d) The offensive physical contact is made while the plaintiff is serving as a sports official or within a brief period of time thereafter. (2) The court shall award reasonable attorney fees to a prevailing plaintiff in an action in which liquidated damages are awarded under this section. (3) An award of liquidated damages under this section is not subject to ORS 31.725 (Pleading punitive damages), 31.730 (Standards for award of punitive damages) or 31.735 (Distribution of punitive damages). (4) As used in this section, “sports official” means a person who: (a) Serves as a referee, umpire, linesman or judge or performs similar functions under a different title; and (b) Is a member of, or registered by, a local, state, regional or national organization that engages in providing education and training in sports officiating. [1999 c.786 §1]

Amen JonnyCat!! Ok, so this thread I started about catcher’s not sticking and framing pitches might have about run it’s course, as it looks like some might about be at the “Well, we’re just going to have to agree to disagree” point (and trust me, I’ve been there in the vociferous minority more than once on this forum—sometimes even angry about it—but invariably a while later—sometimes weeks later—I realize I was wrong and the true experienced veterans on this forum, who were just trying their Scout’s best to teach my stubborn ass, were actually right 😂😂) So, I’m not qualified to be judgmental (of anyone). But, let me just try to give one possible independent reason why every umpire would always want to track every pitch all the way to the glove: Breaking balls! Sliders and curve balls. Here in western Oregon with the Marine Layer, the wind changes a lot every afternoon into the evening, every Spring and Summer. And it varies day to day. It often varies from the 1st inning to the 5th. The same slider that was breaking late and missed high in the 1st is breaking sooner and hitting in the 4th. It’s frequently a challenge to call the top of the zone throughout the game, because the breaking point of pitches changes as the game goes on. But here’s what I do know: Regardless of the wind, if a catcher is properly set up and gloves a breaking ball below the batter’s belt, there’s no way that pitch did not pass through the strike zone. No fricking way! Boom! That’s a strike! Confession time of my own: I worked my 1st volunteer LL Majors game last night—my HS playoff season is over, Legion hasn’t started, so I leaped at the opportunity to give my local LL league a game—we were so short of HS umpires this season, it truly was my 1st opportunity as we were all working every available day. I had a blast working last night solo for HC’s, players, and parents who were overjoyed to have an actual umpire, any umpire 😄—every other available volunteer LL umpire was elsewhere. Nobody was throwing above the 50’s. There were a lot of bloopers. I actually made the following audible on a blooper I balled. “Ok, I know he caught it below the belt, but that pitch was high!” It’s sometimes easy to think out loud when you’re working solo 😂😂 But for pitches in the 70+ mph zone . . . and fast enough to be true breaking balls . . . I posit my theorem is solid. Just a thought for why even someone who was only concerned with the area over the plate, would nevertheless still want to track that and every pitch all the way to the mitt. Just saying. Again, Amen to JonnyCat!!

Boom! If I'm struggling to immediately find a batted ball, my 1st thought is always that I must have given up on the pitch somewhere in front of the plate--and I think most of the time that is the cause. Not knowing where the hell the batted ball is, that's just the symptom of my improper use of eyes. Recognizing the symptom of the problem often helps me to correct the cause mid-game.

A pitch remains a pitch until it stops moving (think Randy Johnson tagging that dove and the umpire turning with the pitch to follow it to the fence where it stopped being a pitch). I found this gem on Instagram (and will use it as a teaching tool in the future). It was posted to see how the umpire catches the pitch, but watch him follow the pitch (he never would have caught it on the rebound had he not been tracking it all the way). Also, I've had higher level coaches scream at me if a catcher slides out to grab a pitch that passes through the strike zone (butchers it 🙂). So, I'm one who most definitely believes how a pitcher receives a pitch is not only relevant, it's additional information on the pitch. https://www.instagram.com/p/CcY_kGEMuPl/

I see you’re from Gaston. I had Gaston twice this year, once at St. Paul and once at Amity. You working the Premier Portland or the Bend Elks Tourney? Those tourneys are always a blast, and well run. We got a big group over in Bend this weekend. Have fun! With youth ball or even small town varsity high school ball (especially JV), I’m never a rules Nazi with that white/gray on the pitcher’s mitt rule. That might be the only mitt that player or his family could afford. The Rule is designed to keep a pitcher from being distracting. Is his mitt truly distracting? I’m not saying to ignore the rule (or any rule). But here’s how I usually handle it: I go to the opposing coach and quietly say, “Hey, John, that boy’s pitcher’s mitt is technically illegal, because it has white on it. . . . Do have a problem with it?” 98% of the time the opposing coach won’t care. But if he does, I enforce the rule, not throwing the opposing coach under the bus—I’m the bad guy. If he says, “No,” then end of potential problem which no longer exists. Just my two cents on how to handle that.

Watching at least PAC 12 baseball, I see a lot of catchers who have abandoned the pursuit of the art of framing pitches. And that has run down hill to high school ball (at least around here). Maybe it started in MLB with the electronic strike zone. Don’t know. Catchers immediately lift lower pitches, or pull in outside pitches, instead of sticking the pitch and letting us take a slightly extended look on how they received the pitch, letting us look at the “stick.” I had the pleasure of working some volunteer fall and winter ball college games a few years ago for a catcher who ended up going #1 in the draft, and who just got called up from AAA a few days ago. He made balls look like strikes. He’d catch a slightly outside pitch in the web of his mitt (with 2/3’s of his mitt over the strike zone), or glove a lowish pitch fingers up in the palm of his glove, with 2/3’s of his mitt above the knees. It was artistry. Balls that were intentionally a bit high, low, outside, or inside, he’d just immediately throw them back to the pitcher, almost before I called the pitch, making my job easy. Then he’d stick one he wanted, holding it rock solid a bit—and I’d want to bang them, and usually did. He put on summer clinics for high school catchers, and for a couple of years all high school catchers were striving to stick and frame pitches. Now they’re all just lifting and pulling in pitches immediately after they are caught—before I’ve called the pitch in my mind. I say anything, and I’ll likely get an earful from the defensive HC. Leave his catcher be, “he’s doing what I’ve told him to do.” Anyone else notice this trend?

I wholeheartedly agree there is no need for a big dramatic "You're done!" mechanic (in most situations). However, I also believe in "most" situations a clearly visible "You're done!" mechanic is in order, and prevents any confusion--alerts your partner that he better get his ass in, and let's every player, coach and fan know what's going on. I don't believe it is ideal to want fans and other players and coaches to be wondering in the next inning why so-and-so is no longer around. But I also know that the MLB umpires also have gotten away from dramatic ejection mechanics (in most situations). Here's a good example from a few years ago! The plate umpire dumps the pitcher almost casually for mouthing off to David Ortiz. I looked this hilarious video up again this season, because that pitcher is the Varsity high school coach of a team in our area (his son is a freshman pitcher). Nicest guy on the planet (bigger than many professional wrestlers :-), and I ain't ever going to risk dumping him no matter what he says to me 😂 Ejection at about 1:24. (1) Kevin Gregg, David Ortiz exchange words as benches clear - YouTube

All great responses by other contributors with more experience than me. I'll only add that while I agree the initial catch/no catch in this scenario is PU's primary call, it's also something which could and should be pre-gamed. So, I wouldn't put all this on you! I might get flamed for saying this. If PU knew his view was blocked, or even if there was a questionable "bounce", if you pre-gamed it, he could have made eye contact with you, and you with him. It's kinda like a screamer up the 1st baseline when you're in A, F-3 touches the ball past the bag, but because he's directly in front of you, you can't tell if he touched it in fair territory or not, or F-2 runs up the line to field a fly bunt but PU can't tell if F-2 first touched it in fair or foul territory. A shoestring catch by F-6 is another similar scenario. The book gives that to PU. But sometimes you in A have the best view. There's more time than you think to make this call and communicate non-verbally with your partner. It's not in the book, but it works if it's pre-gamed. PU looks quickly toward you with a wide-eyed glance. You're 100% certain the ball touched the ground (or say F-2 first touched the ball fair or foul in front of PU up the 1st baseline). You can tap your chest, wait a fraction of a second for PU to acknowledge you, "I got it!" "No catch! No catch!" Or, fix it after the dust clears. Most of the time, nobody other than you and your partner know who's primary on a call like that. But pre-gaming those situations will prevent two calls from being made on the play. Same thing with something like a missed swipe tag during a run-down that we're 100% certain we saw. Partner with responsibility for the tag turns and continues running with the run-down (he obviously didn't see the tag). Tap chest, "I got it!" "That's a tag, he's out!"

Thanks! That's what I needed to hear. After 10 plus years, it appears I still need to "Slow the hell down!" I made the "That's nothing!" call way, way too quickly without processing ALL that happened and didn't happen--and there was a lot of information that needed to be processed on that play. Hopefully, I be around long enough to see that play or one like it again . . . and not kick it!

Thanks for the responses! While the call may have been correct/defensible (protect pitcher not catcher), my reasoning wasn’t sound and was mistaken. Sounds like it’s strict liability. Catcher runs in front of R-3’s path to get to a batted ball, R-3 can’t avoid, if catcher is hindered, R-3 has interfered. I think if I saw the same play again I’d call interference on R-3 and not say I was protecting the pitcher. Dang!

Not sure I got this right. High school varsity, top of the 8th, game still tied. 2 outs, R-3 only. R-3 steals on the pitch. R-3 was about 2/3’s way Home and running hard when Batter swung and hit a dribbler about a foot fair up the 3rd base line that went several feet into the grass beyond the circle. Both F-1 and F-2 went to field it, and both were equally close to it when R-3’s right shoulder bumped F-2’s right shoulder while continuing to run full speed home. F-2 stopped as a result of the impact. F-1 fielded the ball and his throw to 1st was not in time. I signaled “That’s nothing!” pointed to the site of the collision emphatically and gave the safe mechanic again as F-1 threw to 1st. I decided both that I was protecting the pitcher, and that there was no time or way for R-3 to deviate in order to avoid the catcher who got up and ran into R-3’s path while he was running full speed and was just outside the box when the collision occurred—acknowledging that a fielder has the absolute right to field a batted ball, but in my judgment R-3 couldn’t have stopped, slid, or otherwise avoided F-2. HT head coach wanted interference on R-3, because a runner has to get out of the fielder’s way. I told him both that I was protecting the pitcher (which was maybe horseSH*# of me, because both F-1 and F-2 were equidistant from the ball when the collision occurred), but that I also judged that there was no way for R-3 to avoid the collision because of his momentum. I agreed to consult, did, and after talking with my partner decided to uphold the call. I went towards the 3rd base dugout and explained it was a tough and close call, but that R-3 was stealing on the pitch and because of his momentum, in our judgment there was no way he could have avoided the catcher who crossed his path, I pointed, the runner is safe at home, and then I signaled and verbalized that the run scored. That’s the 1st time I’ve seen a situation where I did not think the runner could have avoided the fielder’s attempt to field a batted ball. Not sure what R-3 could have done. If he let up, he probably would have collided with the entirety of F-2. Still not sure I got it right, though.

I’d probably need more than all the fingers on one hand to count the times my first 3 years where I thought, “Screw this, I’ve had enough, this is bullSH*#, I’m most certainly not having any fun, and I’m listing my gear on ebay as soon as I get home!” I think this is now the start of my 12th year. One thing that always helped me (and still helps me) is having a mentor or brother in arms accessible by cell phone to go over tough games and talk about controversial situations. There’s a reason there’s a bar in our town where umpires drop in on Wednesdays after games to talk, share, and bond. To this day, I still walk off the field and confess, “Dang, I guess I’ll have to wait until at least tomorrow to have my 1st perfect game.” And I’m still having fun! Mostly. LoL 😂😂