Thawk

I actually had a chance to try out both the RefSmart timer, and the new Robic Timer. BTW, I happened to be working a scrimmage with Ty from UmpAttire. He specifically mentioned that there is a new modification of RefSmart timer available as of February 5th that is for the NCAA/NFHS timing rules. Right now it is only available for purchase from Refsmart; https://refsmart.com/products/ref-smart-college-baseball-action-clock-timer-updated-for-2023 I tried out the Robic timer on the field. It has it's positives and negatives. The positive for me was that size. I actually had it in my hand the whole time and it was very comfortable (it's about the size of a 3 wheel indicator). The major downside I see with it is the positioning and size of the buttons. I'm going with the Robic because of the cost, and the ability to not have to reach to my belt during a pitch or play. https://www.ump-attire.com/Products/M691/Robic-Universal-Official-Game-Timer

Max, you are the MAN!!

Hey everyone, So I have a Force 3 V3 CP which I absolutely love. However, one problem I have is the edges of some of the plates are protruding out. I want to try and form the plates to better contour the CP to my chest. Any suggestions, methods that have worked??

I use the Force3 V3 CP. It is so light and comfortable I hardly notice I'm wearing it. Have taken shots off it from rec level to high school, with no ill effects.

Not at all. And just to make sure the colors don't fade, wash on permanent press cycle, then hang them up overnight using pants hangers(kind that hold the pant legs) to dry.

still got the ball bags? I'll take them if you do.

LA's Totally Awesome, or Simple Green. They both cut right through dirt and grime, and you get a lot for a little because they are in a concentrate.

Maybe, but you said the key word - "consistently". How many times have we as umpires heard the coaches complain about calls not going the same both ways. Once he established his zone, it did not change at all. Hitters and pitchers adapted to him.

I was at a AAA ballgame this past weekend, and saw a very interesting form of timing play mechanics. Obviously there was a timing play at the plate. Run scored, and when the out was called at second, PU signaled two times to the plate, and then turned around and signaled up to the press box level to inform the scorekeeper. When he did, he made it with a very emphatic motion, and it actually looked like he ejected someone. The catcher even thought he had been thrown out of the game and started arguing with the PU, manager right on his heels. Took about 5 seconds, but when the catcher and manager understood what the PU did, they ended up having a laugh about it. Guess the PU was wanting to keep the players on their toes.

Please tell me it was in a "How not to call a game" training?

Nope, just the regular pants.

I've got 2 pairs of Smitty Umpire Pants I need to get rid of. Bought them as backups, but decided to stick with Gerry Davis Slacks. It's one pair Base and one pair plate. 42" for both, unhemmed, tags still on them. Will do $50 w/shipping.

Sorry, can't protest that

@LRZI consulted with my partner confirm my understanding of the rule only

So I had a situation yesterday I would like some opinions on. Let me lay out the situation for you. PONY Mustang(9-10yr old) end of season playoff game. R1 on 3B, R2 on 2B. Honestly don't remember how the play went down, but here was where I went into my quandary. R1 comes home, but doesn't touch the plate. Before R1 comes back to touch the plate, R2 comes home, and DOES touch the plate. So I know that if the other team saw that R1 missed the plate, I've got an out. Sure as shooting, the coach comes out, but he says he's protesting that R1 missed the plate. I called time, and when to confer with my partner to ensure I had an out. He agreed with me. When I came back to the coach I told him that he needed to perform an appeal play. SO after the coach explained everything step by step to his players, I call R1 out. IMMEDIATELY the 3B coach comes over and starts arguing that I should have not advised the coach on what he should have done. My quandary is this; Should have I said anything to the coach?

I'd give her a 5 out of 10

It was travel ball @Stk004

So I had a 9u game that turned out to be one probably one of the best games I've ever worked. Not because of the level of play-these guys were 9 year olds. But rather because of the attitude of the coaches, parents, and players. First taste of it was at the plate meeting. The HCs were good friends, and you could tell that this was truly a friendly game. As my partner discussed ground rules (I was BU), the coaches first asked him to have a big strike zone to promote the kids swinging the bat. They didn't want a walk-a-thon. Also, they asked us if we saw something in the field, to "coach the kids up". Holy SH*#!!?? coaches that want input from the umpires about their kids' play?? So being the BU, I knew I was going to have a SH*#-ton of balks, but I said if it's not egregious, then I'm not calling it. So as the game went along, both teams were putting in a new pitcher every inning. So each half inning, I would walk over to the dugout, and would talk to the pitcher AND the coach. I made it a point to compliment them on what they did right, then pointed out things they should work on. Only told them 1 or 2 things, and only the obvious ones, not stopping at the set position, glove position in the set, shoulder turns, etc. One kid after I talked to him asked me about how he was supposed to step when he went for a pickoff. Mind-Blown!!!!! Without any hesitation, I found myself explaining to this bright eyed, curious child what a balk meant, but I laid it out for him in a way that he could understand. He listened, and then explained to me what he heard me say, as if to confirm that he had heard the right thing, which he had. After that conversation was over, I went back to the "A" position. Didn't realize that everyone was waiting on me. After the game was over, my partner and I were heading off the field, and the boy who I had a conversation with ran up to me and said "my Mom wants to talk to you". So I waited for her to come over, and when she did, she reached out and began to hug me. Not what I expected. After a short embrace, she thanked me for talking to her son. Apparently he had gone over to her after that inning and had cheerfully, and with so much delight and enthusiasm, relayed the contents of our conversation.

@Kevin_K, I had no regrets tossing the kid. It was more along the lines of the father in me wanted to grab him firmly and stare into his eyes and ask "What the hell were you thinking?"

So working as BU in a JV game. Bottom 6, HT up by 2, R2. R2 attempts to steal 3B, F2 throws down to F5. R2 is still only halfway between 2B and 3B when F5 receives the throw - Dead to rights! R2 instead of maybe scrambling back to 2B, or even trying to avoid a tag, just keeps on running towards 3B, turns his left shoulder towards F5, and trucks him. Damnit kid!! So I call time, signal the out (F5 held onto the ball), and then ejected R2 for malicious contact. HC, who was 3B coach, just calmly told his player he's ejected. Post ejection head shakers; 1) it was the last game of the season, and 2) HT was down to 8 players because they had burned their substitutes. HT extended their lead (ejection was first out of inning), but that batter's spot was the on-deck spot at the end of the inning. Would have really sucked if VT had made a comeback, and HT would have had to start the bottom 7th with 1 out.

I just want to see the look on Mom's face!!

So had a PONY Bronco game (12u) last night, working the bases. Complete blowout, but near the end I had a play that I almost ended up laughing right on the field. Situation; 0 outs, R1. Grounder hit weakly towards F1. F1 fields the ball and proceeds to throw it to 1B, where F3 receives the throw, and tags 1B. I then turn to setup to make the call at 2B when I see R1 retreating towards 1B. But F3 had already thrown the ball to F6 standing on 2B. So as R1 retreats back to 1B, F6 stands their on 2B with Moms screaming "step on the bag, it's a force out!". So I signal and say "No play here". So F6 throws the ball back to F1. Well, the Defensive AC calls out to F1 "Throw it to first", which F1 does. F3 then tags R1, and I signal "Safe". Moms are still screaming "He's out, it's a force!" I glance over at the Defensive HC who is not saying a word, but wants to tell the Moms to knock it off. So I call for time, go over to the Defensive HC. First things says to me is "I know the rule, but thanks for this. I need them to hear it from you." So as I'm explaining what the rule was so everyone can hear me, I was trying to not laugh.

NO, NO, NO @maven that's what I meant to say. I appreciate the clarification.

@scrounge F2 was making a play for the ball. This all happened maybe 3-4 feet in front of the plate

For me, using OBR I'm calling obstruction on the catcher. Granted, hindsight is 20/20, and we don't get the replays on the field, but I see the catcher blocking the plate with his left leg long before the ball got to him. If you notice, the throw actually moves him back and to the left, more into the patch of the runner attempting to advance. So for me, it's obstruction, run scores.