BillKen

A guy in my assoc. called me today with a "thing" that happened Friday night in a super small school DISTRICT VARSITY contest. Keep in mind that this game is out in the sticks...like country to the bone where everyone is a good ol boy. To make a long story a little shorter...Team A batted out of order bc their pitcher was being a jackwagon as they came off the field (having been on defense and not playing efficient defense)...so the coach wanted to pull him. The# 9 hole leads off the bottom half of the inning with an out and the pitcher is in the #2 hole. Not sure what happened with the 1 hole but he did bat. The offense skips the 2 hole (I guess he was in time out) and bats the normal #3 in the #2 slot. #3 gets on base and #4 comes to bat. He takes a ball and the defense (visitors) calls time and the coach reports the BOO...which is nothing now that a pitch has been thrown. The umps get together bc there is a rookie on the dish...the vet explains the whole deal and guarantees the coaches that the situation is not "fixable". Somehow...Some way...the coaches agree to start the inning over...like a do-over from the #9 batter. Vet tells them they can't do that and threatens to leave if they try to deviate from the rulebook...Rookie is confused as all get out...and finally at the insistence of the coaches...they take all the runners off the bag and the outs off the board and #9 gets in the box with a bat and a 0-0 count! I know they can't do this...but would you really walk off the field in this situation by insisting that the game be continued under the rules of the game? With both coaches agreeing...are they giving up their rights to later complain about it or "protest" to the district committee or the state association?

I used a pair of Magistrates for 3 years before they wore out. Then I was lucky enough to get two more pair on ebay. My current pair are on year 2 and I have a new pair in the box in my closet! I'm good on plate shoes until 2019!

This was made for us! http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/igloo-1-2-gallon-sport-jug/pid-546651?N=349815080&affcode=42&kwid=ps_cse&cid=PLA_021820758&kwid=productads-plaid%5E78040230678-sku%5E021820758-adType%5EPLA-device%5Ec-adid%5E51684503958

I'm 6-2, 250# and worked last night with a partner that I've had a lot of games with. After the game, he told me that it didn't even look like I had a CP on. I'm about 6 games in now with my UE and I've continued tweaking and adjusting it all along the way. I've only taken one bump on the shoulder cap, and that was no big deal. I like it a little better each time I wear it and I feel really well protected. It is growing on me...but man I wish it was a little lighter and cooler!

My game last night was 2:40 with a final of 12-8. Could have been a miserable night...but I was fortunate to have 2 great catchers that took good care of me, talked to me and allowed me to talk to them, caught a bunch of close pitches right and made them look like strikes, and were just fun to work with. I have a mantra that sometimes umpiring is a fun hobby and sometimes it is a JOB. Tonight was competitive and intense with two cross-town rival teams that left me feeling lucky to be a part of such a great game!

C9 at Target, BCG at Academy, and Starter at Wal-Mart are all available. My favorite are the Target brand...about $12-$14 each.

Fixed, yeah, I was alone. I felt horrible, as he probably had the tag but I just couldn't see it. Did the ball beat him and was it a quality throw and effort by the fielder? If so and you are blocked...he's out. If the fielder doesn't make an honest effort to apply the tag after receiving the ball in plenty of time, then I might go safe. When I get blocked like this, I just ask myself what did it look like from the backstop? With one umpire, I'd get the out on a whacker like this so I could be done with my solo!

I have one of these and it comes in handy from time to time. Cheaper than an attorney and worth the 20 seconds it takes to pop it into place.

When I drop down for LL majors to make some extra cash, I always work outside when I'm the BU. Its easier to bust inside when needed and there are rarely plays make me uncomfortable doing this. I did a 50/70 game last week and felt a little awkward inside but I stayed there.

If you aren't bunting on every pitch, you aren't doing everything you can to keep the score down. I will go to the winning coach and ask him, "Don't your kids need work on their bunting today?" They usually give me that look like a lightbulb just went off in their head and nod! I haven't yet had a team that couldn't field a bunt and get 3 outs in a reasonable amount of time...especially when they know it is coming!

I agree with above...just pick one. It doesn't matter if you get the right one, what matters is they get the message and shut up. If you get one rat, the other rats will hide or scatter.

True...but it would be hard to stop me from saying, "John, I owned that one and I'm owning your ejection too...now get outta here!" The other tactic that you can use is to just smile at him. You know...that "I'm amused by your little temper tantrum," look! I've done the Jerry Layne treatment and it is fun to just stand there like a statue. Drives em nuts!

Can a Wilson WV Charcoal (the basic model) be retro fitted by TW?

The only situation that I see as troublesome is working at the school where your wife teaches. If you need her paycheck, why would you risk someone getting upset about a call you made (right or wrong) that possibly cost them a game? In my humble opinion, you are one cheap accusation away from someone seeking revenge by going after her job to get back at you. My Pappy always said, "You don't get your lovin where you make your livin." To me, this is similar! Your wife's income and calling is way more important than a game check. If you are good, you don't need that school to complete your schedule. If there are 8 other schools in your neighborhood, that should be plenty. Just my

The Gold is a proven commodity! Taken many many shots. No feel no pain. As of yet I a have not taken a shot to the chest with the unequal. So I can't vouch for the UE yet. Ump-attire doesn't have the WVG in my size in stock and they have the best price of anyone else. I also want to get some new shin guards and a new mask or HSM. UE Shin Guards are a definite! Took a direct shot fastball to the UE shin last night...didn't even feel pressure. It was just a loud pop. Coach chewed the catcher's butt and told him to go to the mound. I hollered, "I'm good...I got Kevlar!" The next pitch was a border curve that I wanted but didn't get...and I told the catcher that we were even now! He laughed and told the pitcher the whole story when they got to the dugout. (They were winning 13-2 at the time). It was a good night! @BillKen how's your Force3 chest protector after you customized it? Better...jury is still out because I haven't been hit yet!

The Gold is a proven commodity! Taken many many shots. No feel no pain. As of yet I a have not taken a shot to the chest with the unequal. So I can't vouch for the UE yet. Ump-attire doesn't have the WVG in my size in stock and they have the best price of anyone else. I also want to get some new shin guards and a new mask or HSM. UE Shin Guards are a definite! Took a direct shot fastball to the UE shin last night...didn't even feel pressure. It was just a loud pop. Coach chewed the catcher's butt and told him to go to the mound. I hollered, "I'm good...I got Kevlar!" The next pitch was a border curve that I wanted but didn't get...and I told the catcher that we were even now! He laughed and told the pitcher the whole story when they got to the dugout. (They were winning 13-2 at the time). It was a good night!

Been wearing my NB all season between long tight leggins and my McDavid Hexpads. The McDavids hold the NB in place fine for me.

You were right...the rat was wrong. Not a balk. If the runner is going, the pitcher can try to get him out by throwing behind him or in front of him. He has to gain distance or disengage.

I gave my UE another try last night...I took those stupid armpit wings off and liked it better. I need a DF harness and it may be better...it is still heavy and hot. Maybe I'll learn to like it.

I don't know how long you've been doing this, but I'm glad that I'm beyond my days of being nice. If that happened to me, I'd tell him to get out of my conference immediately. Then there would be a very terse discussion in the parking lot and there would be no question in his mind that I was never working another game with him ever again! Life is too short for you to do a hobby...and be miserable because your partner ruins everyone's night!

For every one of these there are probably lots of bananas that are cracked. Even if mine cracked on impact, I'd take that over a cracked nanner any day of the week! I've been "cupped" 4 times with the NB and twice with a nanner...and there is NO comparing the two. Both do a job...but with the NB, it doesn't hurt...at all.

I highly recommend iAnnotate. Pretty sure it will do what you are asking.

Can a pre-season ejection be the UEFL ejection of the year? Is so, cancel the season cause we just saw it!!!

The big dogs that come to our clinic say that the strike 3 call should be two sounds and it should be distinct from your regular strike call. I step back with my right foot and pull the chain out in front of me facing forward.

Gotta love those TW pads! Glad he is okay and the catcher is a rat...will probably grow up to be a coach someday!