RingEmUp918

I wear combos every game, and love them. And like most I typically dont have time to change pants between games. If your going with the Smittys (they have a 2 inch expandable waist band), go with the smaller size. I'm typically a 33-34 waist and ordered the 32 in the Smittys and they fit perfect. Best price you will find on them is here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/BBS375-SMITTY-UMPIRE-PLEATED-COMBO-PANTS-NEW-/330873894512?pt=US_Men_s_Athletic_Apparel&var=&hash=item4d099ef670#ht_235wt_934 As for shin guards, check your local used sporting goods store or craigslist. I found a pair of All Star catcher's shin guards at my local Play it Again Sports for 9.99! and have found no reason to upgrade, they look very similiar to the All Star System 7 shins (minus the additional foam padding and the $129 price tag. And they provide adequate protection.

ill take it for $20

lol right there with you, gonna devote more time to my professional development. Peace

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Ya, this is what I questioned the most.

In a situation of INT by a retired/scored runner must you ALWAYS call an out?

USSSA tourney game, I'm in the field. Close game, with some emotions flying on both sides. 1 out, runners on 1st and 3rd. Batter hits grounder to the 2nd baseman who tries to get r3 at home, runner slides in and is obviously safe and the catcher drops the ball on the play. Here's where it gets interesting... the runner who slid into home somehow ends up on top of the baseball and as hes getting up he picks up the ball in his hand, takes cpl steps then realizes what he did and drops the ball. r1 advances to 2nd on the play. PU calls time....(at this point im thinking oh s*#$, here we go), both team's coaches erupt and partner and I meet up in middle of the field to discuss.... Partner dosent have much experience so he really didnt have a clue what to do here... and neither did I for that matter. The best I could come up with was that the run counts, interference on the play for picking up a live ball therefore I called the batter out. r1 stays at 2nd. Defensive team was ok with that, however offensive HC throws a fit and his 1b coach (who had been pain entire game) decided to re-enact the play there for he got to go home early for demonstration. So, how bad the blow this call? After thinking about it I should have either a) run counts, nobody is out as the intereference did not have direct affect on the outcome of the play, or b) run counts, r1 is out and batter stays at first thoughts?

I love how the breast cancer awareness symbol on side of his plate boot matches the shirt. Pic was taken in the big city of Skiatook, Oklahoma.

100% authentic, Plate ump from my nephew's 12u game last night. Sister in law snapped a pic and sent it to me because she knew I would appreciate. Enjoy.

You can get Smitty combos brand new on Ebay for $44 (including shipping). Here's a link http://www.ebay.com/itm/Smitty-Apparel-Heather-or-Charcoal-Umpire-Combo-Pants-/330710039396?pt=US_Men_s_Athletic_Apparel&var=&hash=item4cffdabb64#ht_359wt_1163 for $40 they are tough to beat. I only own one pair and wear them every game, I simply wash them in cool water and dry on low heat and they still look practically new. They have the waist band expander so if you are in between sizes go with the smaller size (I'm normally a 33-34 waist, i orderd a 32 and they fit perfect).

If im not mistaken (usually am) since its not the first throw after the ball was caught the runner is entitled to 2 bases beyond last legally touched.

a) BR to 2b, b)BR to 3b?

Is there a rule that requires the head coaches to attend the plate meetings and not the asst coaches? Mainly referring to USSSA tournaments, as I work one almost every weekend and more often than not it is the asst coach at the plate meeting than the head coach. Hell, some of these teams have 6 man coaching staffs so I have no idea who the head coach is. .Nothing against the asst coaches but it seems that none of the crucial information I go over ever makes it back to the HC. And I always like to remind the coaches in my plate meetings that if anything unusal happens, or if there is a question about a call....Head coaches ONLY are to come out and discuss. Living where I do, we get alot of sever weather/rain this time of year (as you probably seen in the news this week #PRAYFOROKLAHOMA). And in this past weekends tournament we had a very unusual change to the time limit rule where we were using a modified "drop dead" time limit in order to get all of the games in due to delays and weather heading our way. It was very confusing and it never failed that every single game, atleast one of the coaches was an AC and either did not communicate the rule correctly to the HC or I had to explain it again to the HC. Anyways, sorry to rant it has just been driving me nuts.

It seems like every game there is "that fan" that has something to say about every single pitch, for or against their team and it drives me up the wall. Most of the time their comments are malicious just a little jab/comment on each pitch close or not. I had one yesterday in a 12u tournament game, it was an older lady. after about the 10th time, i turn around walk to the fence and politely tell her that i can handle the balls and strikes on my own. It seemed to work in this case but alot of times its much worse. I'm usually pretty lenient with parents, because being a parent myself I know the sacrifices they make and they money they invest so their kids can play ball. I dont mind some banter on close calls, but the things I dont tolerate are profanity, disrespect, and constant badgering of me or my partner. How do you like to handle these fans? Do you prefer to deal directly with the fan/parent or let the head coach know that if he dosent get them under control its on him?

Currently a Gaming Operations Project Manager for a Tribally owned casino company in the Southwest. We own/operate 8 casino properties in our state with more on the way. My current schedule can be unpredictable so I've yet to venture into HS ball until it settles down, but I stay busy umpiring atleast 2-3 nights a week + tournaments most weekends. Prior to my current job I spent 6 years in Las Vegas (UNLV grad, Go Rebels!) working in nightlife/entertainment/and food and beverage. Everything from event promotions, VIP Services, up to Marketing Director for a very successful hospitality company with 17 venues on the Las Vegas Strip. I decided I wanted to slow down and have a family so moved home and made the transition into the gaming business. This is my first year back umpiring, I called games for 3 years back in high school/college but taking it much more serious this time and thoroughly enjoying it.

Based on the rules I think I made the right call, but what if the if the ball is securely in the glove and fielder makes contact with the runner with forearm or elbow on glove hand, is that an out?

14/u USSSA rules. I'm in the field R1 2 out. Ground ball hit to 2nd baseman, he fields the ball and instead of reaching for the tag of R1 (who is right infront of him) he tries to race R1 to 2nd. 2nd baseman is running holding the ball in his throwing hand, inside his glove (ball is not being held by glove in my judgement)R1 beats 2nd baseman to the bag, however in the process I "thought" I saw light contact between the 2nd basemans glove hand elbow (not the glove) and the runner while they were racing to the bag. Does this qualify as a tag/out? -I was so shcoked that the 2nd baseman didnt just reach out and tag him, or make the easy throw to 2nd (ss was standing on bag awaiting throw) or toss it to first for 3rd out that I literally froze and forgot to make a call. When I finally made a call I called the runner safe and said, no tag. -The coach argued and asked for an appeal, my partner backed me up and said he cannot appeal a judgement call. If there was indeed contact on the 2nd basemans glove arm and the runner (even though the ball was being held by throwing hand) does this qualify as an out? Also, what if he did have the ball in his glove and made contact with the runner with his arm, and not the actual glove? And of course the next batter lines a double to the fence and scores both runners

Thank you everyon for the helpful tips. had 6 games this weekend and it seems like I was just rushing the calls and not taking the time to let the play "register" in my head. staying relaxed and focusing on listening to the play helped as well.