Tksjewelry

I'm a stay at home wife so it's easy for me. Keeps me in purse and decorating money and keeps my 42 year old butt from sagging without going to the gym.

Awesome! I'm sitting at 200 (stupid rain, lost 38 games to it!) right now and waiting for fall ball to start. I'll only make about 225 - 250 because fall ball here is all training leagues and only sundays. I've been wrangled into doing HS softball so there's a slight possibility I might hit more.

Sorry it wasn't a better game dude. You still got to use this as an opportunity to make a great connection. Name put with face is a good step. Did you ask him about the possibility of taking a D3 assignment?

That was great game management by use of a mechanic.

Welcome from Omaha!

That's exactly the kind of thing that broke a buddies wrist. He's still in a cast. It's also why I keep my batter side arm behind my back. I'm not risking my dainty bones because some daddy coach wants little Johnny to get some experience as a catcher. I don't give a hoot if some say it looks bad, it's self protection in anything under HS.

Awesome! Don't Suck!

Today was the the Utrip all star games, it marks the official end of our sesson. 12u Hour forty drop dead. This is nothing serious, one umpire from behind the mound, no score, ignore balks, and coaches are mostly assistant coaches. I love the all star game. The last inning of every game I try to make fun. I decided we were going to play wonky ball, all 11 defenders in the field, everyone switch hits and the bases are reversed. Coaches were a bit confused until they saw it, then they loved it. Coaches, parents and kids screaming and laughing at the same time as batter head to first forgetting they were supposed to run to third. Fielder's not knowing how to play positions. Crazy slides. It was a blast. In the middle of the first round of wonky ball, many of the parents, players, and coaches, who were waiting for fields, were jammed around our field watching. It went over pretty well as the other umpires told me after the games that for their second games, coaches were requesting to end their games with an inning of wonky ball. After my last game of the day, the coaches and players asked if they could play one more inning that way even though time was up. I love seeing the kids who've worked so hard throughout the season end it with a just a fun day of ball. What a great way to end the regular season.

I have the same ones. I took mine to the car wash and hosed them off with the pressure sprayer with no soap. I used the floor carpet clips on the washing Bay wall to hang them up and hosed them down, shammied them, then set on my patio in the sun to dry.

I remember it. It was a stick like thing. I thought about the thread when I saw a similar stick at a sporting goods store the other day. I'll see if I can find the thread. Here it is:

This is not a good plan. Hairspray is mostly alcohol, not something that is recommended for leather. Ever seen an 80's hair spray queen after an all night bender? You do not want to do that to $100+ shoes.

We have a pretty big association, it's around 250 guys. I couldn't tell you how many partners I've had (or met guys dressing out at tournaments), young men in their 20s, who tell me they have work for UIC for 10+ years. I couldn't tell you what his secret is, but the loyalty respect and dedication he's shown by most of the guys in our association is amazing, and it's reciprocated. There are even more from other states and associations that would drop a lot to come and help UIC out when we need it. I could write a book on here about my first two years of training, most of which I didn't realize was going on until long after. I see a lot of it in what I see in the the first years, even the guys who've only been with us a month. I can see which ones I'll work with (and be better) next year and which ones won't take (or be given) another game. We don't have a formal training/mentor program. We don't have formal evaluations (except the HS guys by the state). We don't have an equipment program. We do have rules meetings for a few months, but they aren't required. I'm sure these things exist, but they aren't formal or well known. We do have a rating system, but again, we don't have a formal system to move up, UIC handles all that personally. Like I said, I don't know what his secret is but I'm sure he be willing to have a conversation with you about his retention. I know he's helped several guys set up their own umpiring associations in other areas.

I saw that on Amazon the other day, I threatened to buy one for one of my mentors who always say he's just a fat old man with bad knees and back.

Yeah, cause hackers won't have a hayday with that.

I did a 12u softball game as a last minute emergency fill in. Never. Again. Eveeeeer. These little screechers screamed chants at the top of their lungs for two freaking hours nonstop as did the "fans". How any of them had any voice left is a medical miracle. I earn many libations that evening.

This! UIC is hard after me to take the HS softball test. Kill. Me. Now.

That's the whole reason I was given a number, usually it's just HS and Legion guys here that have them. During our big tournaments it was evident that coaches thought I was a higher grade umpire than I was because of the numbers, which made my (and my partners) life easier on the fields. I couldn't tell you how many coaches asked me about HS rules, plays, or how many HS games I've done this year (never lied but I never corrected either). It was UIC's idea to "fake out" rat coaches, although he used much more colorful wording. It worked. As @Thunderheads said, it looks more official/professional and that's a big part of the mental battle I have to win.

Ugh, reddit.

I wouldn't sew them into your cp but if you want to seew them in try adding pockets into an undershirt. Or even making a pocket thing that you can slip over the straps of the cp when you need it.

I gave three options to UIC and he picked which one I would be assigned.

I'm glad I did too, broke the fear zone I had for those games. One of the coaches from the host team (already eliminated by time I got there) was a coach of a 13s team I do a lot, he helped set the tone for me with the playing coaches. I'll get to do more next year but no plates until I get better equipment, per UIC, which I'll have by time season starts next year. Shoot, with all perks (like misting fans and air conditioning) I'll sign up for those tournaments any time!

Oh nooooooo, lol.

Still no 5's, bummer.

I wear mine (I have the wilson) snug to my forehead and chin too, but not too tight. Tight enough that it doesn't slip when you look up or down. I took a shot today to the side of the chin area and felt nothing.

The runner is considered safe until a legal appeal is made, which differs under different codes.