Kevin_K

Your true color is green (85.71%). As a Green, you are independent, intellectual and visionary by nature. Green: Those with a Green temperament value autonomy and free thought while at the same time cherishing book knowledge and abstract, theoretical cognition. Greens are independent thinkers, innovative, logical, academically curious, perfectionistic, and detached. Greens typically want to understand the world in depth, be competent, question the traditional way of doing things; push themselves beyond the limits of what others would consider reasonable; engage in intellectual discussion, as well as to analyze and rearrange systems, and focus on the future. Furthermore, Greens tend to require intellectual freedom; value concise and competent communication; look for mental stimulation, and to bring societal advancement. I agree with the verdict.

NJ has a similar collusion problem that crosses sports and is prevalent in all regions of the state. Athletic directors meet at their annual conference and determine what the fees will be for a period years that they determine and that includes no input from any of the independent contractors or their representatives. For 2024 varsity baseball was $105 (from $90), varsity volleyball was $85 (from$69), and JV volleyball was $56 (from $52). Typically, volleyball is varsity and JV at one school or it's a multi-school tri or quad so volleyball is far more attractive financially than baseball. The NJSIAA had a program that offered a $300 rebate to new officials but their budget seems to no longer be able absorb those costs. I am an executive board member of one of my officials' associations and I am planning to have some state-wide conversations with other executive boards to have some coordination of our efforts. This might give a voice from the officials at these meetings. While not in that position to have that conversation yet, it will happen within two years. I wonder how the powers that be might react if one sport's carded and properly registered officials actually worked together to the benefit of themselves rather than having to knuckle under when offered working conditions that the independent contractors of other fields would never accept. I'd bet that Hunter and Ava's moms would not be happy if their events were impacted from a lack of officials that could be prevented.

Maybe this one?

There are plenty of pockets in (on?) my plate coat! My plate brush goes in the interior left pocket so I can reach it with my right hand as I hold my mask with my left. My UmpLife lineup holder goes in the interior right pocket. My pen is clipped on the left breast pocket 3-4 balls in each exterior pocket.

Generally, if F3 is not in contact with the bag when BR passes call the BR safe and show everyone that F3 had come off the bag. The sweeping motion of your arms should be in the direction in which the fielder came off the bag. If the defense appeals that the BR did not touch 1B, whether its done by F3 tagging the BR or through a formal appeal process, call the BR out. The train wreck needs more explanation to provide anything that would be helpful. It could be obstruction. It could be interference. It could nothing. In addition, it would be helpful to know the rule set.

F2 was blocking the base path without the ball, so, by rule, obstruction is appropriate, but to what end? R3 scored without any award or any call. What would the benefit be if making this call? This reminds me of when a batter hits a foul ball that everyone knows is a foul ball. If an umpire audibly calls a ball fouled over the backstop as a foul ball does it make any difference? My .02. YMMV

I'm not saying for certain, but I think I've heard that in games where @Richvee might have been on the dish.

Is it possible you are conflating it with this:

I had a nice conversation with the PU about what happened. Like the rest of the country, NJ is sorely lacking umpires. His partner made a couple of really bad calls that had an impact on the game. Assigners in these parts are way more concerned with bodies on games than the right umpires on the right games. PU was not pleased with much of anything from his partner that day. Please provide a link to that letter. I would love to read it. The miss was a no doubter. The kid jumped clear over HP. When he did, F2 looked right at the PU and they locked eyes for a split second. The kid knew that the PU saw everything so there was nothing to give away by looking at the dugout.

It isn't. Several years ago I went to the Champion hard shell and have no concerns. After a season I added another so I could switch them out to preserve their shelf lives. I added @Razzer's harness with each one and have not even considered another purchase since.

I'm with @MadMax I have never worn a jacket on the dish. I never will. I look at my plate coat as something that I have earned the right to wear based on the body of my work. Plate coats aren't for noobs, JV lifers (thanks @Richvee), or umpires who don't work on the craft continuously. My .02 YMMV

If a player is straddling the bag are they in the base path?

Sadly, it isn't just baseball rules. As those far more intelligent than me have opined: The difference between genius and stupidity is that there are limits to genius.

I purchased a flex NuttyBuddy Flex cup from Ump Attire and wore it for the first time last weekend. When I was taking my gear off I noticed the rubber gasket was separating from the the hard plastic shell. I sent a message through their customer service portal and within 30 minutes I received a message from Cortney on the customer service team saying that a replacement was on the way. I didn't need to do anything further. As I was reading the reply I received another notification from Ump Attire that my replacement was already on the way. Kudos to @JimKirk and the staff at Ump Attire. This is why I prefer using them over so many other suppliers.

They are legit. I have ordered from them multiple times. They are the official supplier of my collegiate group.

You provided information for your partner to overturn his own call. He should be the one to make the call. Umpires should not hand bags of crap to their partners and then expect to be relieved of their disposal.

So when F1 engages the rubber with his pivot foot parallel to the rubber with runners on base comes set at the belt, and then steps towards 1B that's not a balk in FED?

Since @Tborze and @MadMax may have overlooked some of the words in my post, I shall reiterate that "Home plate is 17 inches wide. Use it as a guide like Tim McClelland did in the Pine Tar game and I'd bet you get a similar reaction" Perhaps I should have included the or ?

No foreign substances can be applied to the barrel more than 18 inches from the end of the handle. NFHS 1-3-3 NCAA 1-12-3 OBR 3.02 Home plate is 17 inches wide. Use it as a guide like Tim McClelland did in the Pine Tar game and I'd bet you get a similar reaction. Don't go looking for a problem to try to solve. Use the rules to solve problems not create them (Thanks @JonnyCat)

Was this a night game?

At the risk of offending.... @MadMax, you ignorant slut

I have never turned my back on F2 throwing to 2B when I am in B or C. It seems as though this is also the case with BU in this scenario. Turning away from where the ball is would be the first step in having a throw planted in your temple. Keep your chest to the ball and have your head on a swivel. While BU may have some information that may help, PU needs to own this call.

Interestingly, and perhaps not coincidentally, this week's "You Make the Call" is on a runner legally contacting a middle infielder on a force play.

@MadMax is going to be shocked by this....... NJ requires base coaches to wear helmets as well