clasonater

Thanks for the reply. Ya nobody really said anything. The hesitation occurred at the top of his leg kick, where his knee was at the apex. That's where he started wobbling from indecision. From the wobble he started to step toward third and then spun towards second all ugly and sideways

High school JV, I am PU: runner on second. As pitcher [right-handed] lifts his leg, the runner breaks for third. At the top of his leg kick, he makes an attempt to step over towards third. Instead of actually stepping over to throw, he does one of those off balance wobbles not knowing whether he should spin to second or or throw to third. He ends up attempting a throw to third but again changes his mind and manages to spin towards second almost falling over. I could tell that he never intended to come home with a pitch, but I called a balk anyway (yes, I called it too quick). The whole thing was ugly and the wobble got me. Here's my question: If I judge he never intended to come home with a pitch, and he gains ground at the completion of the play, should that hesitation at the top of his leg kick constitute a balk, or be disregarded? P.S. this was my partners first game ever, so he didn't have a clue what was going on.

I was taught the only thing I should ever have is a timepiece out in the field. I won't ever tell somebody not to use an indicator, but I will never personally carry one. When I tried it, it was more distracting than anything else. As for softball, if I don't get a playoff game because of it, I couldn't care less.

I actually really like the color of PW charcoals. I don't know why, but it might be that I started when the local assoc. phased out the heathers. I'm glad too, because heather is a joke.

I'm 6'3 and I wear the gold. I was iffy on the length, but those first couple shots in the collarbone area will sell you on it. It's also longer than the platinum by just enough (I've had both). I don't have much experience with many other cp's so I won't dog them. I do know a couple college guys that where the cheaper champion hardshells (which I believe are longer). Shots to the belly button are rare.

The ones that hurt the most are the second shots that get the bruise right as it ripens to a nice greenish black

I use papermate inkjoy pens. They actually work really good after other pens get all linty and gritty from being thrown in the bag. Plus they have a silver clip thingy that looks really sharp in the pocket. That foul ball thing can be a pain though. It led to the most embarrassing moment of my young umpire career so far. At my first clinic, I forgot a pen during an evaluation game, so I borrowed the evaluator's pen (this was my first year), probably a twenty dollar pen. I wore powder that day and in the first inning a fowl ball got it. So I finished the game with no pen, a pissed off evaluator, and a black blotch on my nice crisp and clean powder shirt. Karma is a bitch, and needless to say, I will never -- ever -- forget a pen again.

This is one of those things that is so freaking simple, you wonder why you didn't create them yourself and make the profits.

I agree, looking over with a sharp "that's enough" lets everybody in the ball park know whats going on. And mostly the coach knows that your acknowledging his garbage. The worst thing I see when I hear my partners go "that's enough" is when they allow the coach to continue.

Is any manufacturer coming out with anything new?

I will second anybody that said the nuttybuddy. That thing saved me a couple times this year. As for all the other gear, don't buy cheap, but don't be too cheap to not try something you think will work but you already have it. ie CP, shins, or mask. People are always selling stuff on here. I bought cheap when I started and they threw me into high school varsity games and I learned really quick to invest in SH*# that hurts a lot less. Plus, whether you do buy cheap or expensive, learning how to clean shoes and your gear efficiently is just as important. If your association allows, polywool pants from honigs are the best damn things out there.

those umpires in the first looked good

I trust the mask, been squared up a couple times with it, I am still leery about the CP though, but that doesn't mean I'll call it inferior.

I am very comfortable with the mask. And i know that it has done its job, Its supposed to be worn tight but I tend to overthink stuff like that. I might shoot a message to force3 and ask them the proper way it should be worn, so there is no ambiguity

Clean them however you see fit, then hit them with some hairspray. Aqua Net extra firm. It makes a huge difference. The only thing that really pisses me off about the 460s is the cloth material around the rim of the met guard that fades to purple. 460s aren't leather either so IMHO all that leather cleaning stuff is a waste.

I think I figured it out today. Normally I chew gum behind the plate. With the force3 I noticed that the continual motion of chewing makes the mask ride up on your face just a tad. Enough so that the lower bar on the inner frame can actually hit the middle of your chin when hit with force. That is why they have the wrap around pad design... i believe.

Just to be clear, I am not attempting to blame the mask. I love that damn thing.

I wear it tight. And I do not wear a throat guard. I doubt it was the integrity of the mask as well, I've actually had a real good experience with it so far compared to TWs on a light frame. I saw the ball hit the dirt and that was about it. I was just wondering if this has ever happened to anyone else before. Could it have hit my CP and deflected up and out under my chin? And ya, my partner was in lala land.

I know right, thats what I was thinking too. My partner said he wasn't sure.

HA ruh roh... that was good. It cracks me up when its twelve year old tournament time and the whole place freezes before an umpire that uses proper timing cadillacs a routine play at first.

Those little jabs at the end drive me nuts. Maybe they don't mean anything by it and maybe they do. In reality however, its totally ignorant of the rule book, common sense, and building a respectful relationship with umpires. Jimurrays right, he'll go vent to the smitty and the smitty will blow smoke in his ass

I was wearing the Force3 mask. Catcher set up way outside for an 0-2 offer. Pitcher was probably sitting at 85 or slightly higher. He throws a 58 foot fastball right in the slot that the catcher had no shot at. I heard the mask and felt pain in my chin and jaw. I didn't feel any head ache or concussion symptoms at all, put my chin was bruised when I woke up in the morning. Have any of you experienced this before?

I am glad somebody brought up the NBC Sports article. That was an absolute joke.

I am a young guy, and I hate the yankees with a passion. It does not matter however, because Yogi Berra was and will always be bigger than the game. His attitude and personality is what truly made the game "Americas game." I regret not being able to watch him live because of my age, but I wish young players today could watch him instead of Bryce Harper and others who care about themselves more than their organization or the game.

I am not defensive, I would have liked to seen the other replies from pony umpire before they were deleted though. And yes, the picture with the pony is funny.