James88

Question- Federation rules. Is there any penalty for the manager for an illegal player/substitute? I've searched the Rule Book and Case Book and can't find any penalty, such as restriction, for the manager. I've found numerous references to restriction for the player and ejection if back in the game illegally a second time. Anyone know if I'm missing anything? Thanks.

Thanks kstrunk and good advice. I have a pitching machine and video recorder ready to go and plan on doing exactly what you suggest. Just thought it may also be helpful to include the static training prior to the dynamic pitching. Maybe the static training isn't necessary at all. Just set up the pitching machine and hit corners, etc. Thoughts from anyone?

In the past on a very limited basis (very, very limited), I've had strike zone training with an instructor that used an attached baseball on a stick to "calibrate" my eyes to the strike zone. I want to conduct this training for myself and a couple umpires in my association and was wondering if there is some sort of protocol that would be helpful. I understand hold the ball on outside corner, at knees, etc., but does anyone with experience have suggestions on how to make the training more productive? For example, hold 10 pitches on outside corner followed by 10 off the plate, 10 at knees, etc. Any suggestions or links would be helpful. Thanks.

I broke out the Jim Evans balk video and he demonstrates this exact scenario and confirms exactly what you guys told me. As long as the pitcher takes a legal step, this is not a balk. I realize he is talking pro rules, but I'm assuming the same applies to FED. Thanks for the help.

Are there restrictions on how the pitcher has to step?

I forgot to add something. Lead was so big the pitcher threw to the shortstop who was still in his primary fielding area. Shortstop was not running back toward second to receive a throw.

I had a fellow I work with ask me this question and I'm just not sure. I saw a discussion related to this situation on this site from a couple years ago but still wanted to ask. Situation: FED rules, runner on second, runner gets a big lead, pitcher does not disengage and throws to the shortstop to retire or drive the runner back. Is this a balk? Does the pitcher have to step directly toward second or third? Can anyone point me to a Case Book ruling that addresses this? Like I said, I read the discussion from a couple years ago and it was said this was not a balk. One of the main rules guys in our state says this is a balk and I need helping understanding why this is or isn't a balk. Thanks

Sincere thanks to everyone that responded. Sounds like there are several good options out there but I'll just have to find what works best for my preferences. It just may take a little trial and error on my part to get to that point. Thanks again.

gnhbua93: So you're telling me you've taken some pretty good shots wearing the unequal and it has performed as well as advertised? If that's the case, and they've added the additional protective sheet, it seems the protection would have improved considerably. Also, is it a relatively cooler (hot days) due to its low profile? Thanks for taking the time to respond. Really helpful info.

Thanks scrounge. I really appreciate you taking the time to give me that information. I'm with you on the last rib or two. I've gotten used to wearing the Diamond, which is probably too long for me with the extension, so it makes the shorter WV Gold seem even shorter. I tried one on at an umpire camp and it seemed like the bottom of my rib was exposed. Maybe no big deal, but it just didn't feel right.

I know this has been discussed in some other threads, and I've read through several, but I'm just hoping someone can chime in with some additional advice to help me out. I've used a Diamond iX3 chest protector for the first several years of Little League and my 2 years of HS ball. It's served me well but last year I took a shot in the shoulder area that got me thinking it was time to make a change. That shot, combined with the advice here and from some of the equipment websites has convinced me to upgrade to a better protector. The Diamond with the extension is a long protector and that's what I got used to wearing. I've looked over the West Vest products and have a hard time getting past the idea that they are only 12-13" in length. The All-Star System 7 seems good but also bulky. Douglas seems good but who knows. Basically I'm suffering analysis paralysis. That said, I have a few questions that I'm hoping you can help me with. 1. Am I worrying too much about the short length of the WV products? I'm only about 5'8" with broad shoulders. Not particularly overweight. 2. The new Unequal is very intriguing. I like the low profile design and adjustable lengths. Does anyone here have game experience with the new Version2? 3. Is the All-Star System 7 as bulky as it seems in the pictures? Thanks in advance.

Thanks for the replies. I've compared these pants to my Smitty combos every way coming and going and I just don't see any difference whatsoever in the way they fit me. Very baggy and hang low in the crotch area. My wife still calls me MC Hammer...lol. I know the quality and material is different, but the $19.99 Champro base pants fit and look much better than the $60.00 dollar Smitty polywools.

I have always wore combo pants in the field and behind the plate. I'm short (about 5'7" to 5'8") and always felt like MC Hammer in the field. I bought a pair of Smitty polywool base pants with the hopes they would look more like regular dress pants but to be honest I can't see any difference in the fit compared to the baggy Smitty combo pants I have. I have a cheap pair of Champro pants that fit and look much better than these expensive Smitty pants. That said, are these pants supposed to fit more like dress pants? Besides just looking at them, is there a specific way to measure the pants to see if the dimensions are correct? I don't see any product number permanently attached to the pants. They are labelled as base pants according to the paper tag attached to the waist. I am wondering if possibly they are combo pants mislabeled as base pants. Thanks.

Awesome!!! I'm happy to hear that. Two of us are driving down from WV. I'm really looking forward to it. Just want to learn, get constructive feedback, and get better.

1. Focus on mechanics on plays at the plate. I just started this past season to get to 3BLX and feel a little awkward at this point. Old bad habits die hard. 2. Develop consistency on uncaught 3rd strike signal. 3. Work on tracking pitches and being more consistent on outside pitches. 4. Upgrade my uniform items, especially ditching combo pants and going to polywool base pants. 5. Being a better listener to managers when they question a call rather than immediately getting defensive. I'm generally a very even tempered person and haven't had much trouble at all, but there were a couple of times last season I realized I was giving a defense for something that wasn't their exact question simply because I was quick to talk and slow to listen. I'm signed up to go to the Southern Umpires Camp in February and am excited about that. I've just completed my second year of HS ball and think this would be a good time to attend. Also a big thanks to everyone on this site. Realizing I need to improve/change items 1, 2, and 4 are directly due to being a member of this site. There are many other areas I need to improve, but these came to mind.

I haven't had a whole bunch of cold games, and I know you asked about gloves, but something that really helped me out in a super cold game was a Hot Hands hand warmer in each pocket. These things give off an amazing amount of heat and last for several hours. I was about to freeze to death and the home team manager walked by and gave me one and then the visiting team manager came by and gave me another one. Pull them out between innings to warm your hands and they also help keep you warm while in your pocket. Not sure how some you feel about sticking your hands in your pockets, but on super cold days, forget it. I'm keeping my hands as warm as possible.

Thanks for the reply and that's what I thought was the logic behind that ruling. I was definitely confused though. Thanks

During and after my first year of HS ball, I was very unsure of myself on all but the most obvious balk calls. Prior to my second year, I bought the Jim Evans video and it has been a tremendous help. Not a cheap DVD, but it was definitely worth it.

If anybody wears a small, baseball express shows the black majestic in stock for $9.88. Not exactly my size...lol.

I will say that may be a pretty good mechanic in a softball game on a sort field (Yes I know this isn't softball!!!). I've only been umpiring softball for a couple years total, but this scenario has happened to me on 3-4 occasions. Batter hits a sharp single to right field, I'm coming in to pivot, right fielder fields ball quickly and makes a rocket throw to first. If you're not prepared for that possibility you can be so focused on getting to the infield and pivoting you forget there could be a force play at first and aren't paying attention. On a 90' diamond this generally isn't a problem but it could be.

Reading these posts has me thinking a lot about that play and you guys are absolutely right. I've just got to be aware of that potential play, don't get caught daydreaming, and move as quickly as I can to try to get some sort of angle to help me out a little. Getting caught flat footed is a big time liability. Thanks for taking the time to reply. I'm really glad I happened upon this site because you guys are a big help.

Just want to see what tips are out there to help me with this mechanic/scenario. Two man crew, 60' diamond, R1, umpire in the B position. Second baseman fields a batted ground ball just about the time R1 is in front of him and he reaches out for the tag. The runner did not interfere or run out of the baseline to avoid a tag. From the B position, the second baseman is directly between the umpire and runner, basically straight lining the view so you can't really see if the tag is applied or not. Some of these are fairly obvious just by the player reactions, but what do you guys suggest when that's not the case. I had that happen to me today and called the runner out on the tag but wasn't completely sure. Neither team really cared since it was a hot, blowout game and everyone was hoping for outs, but obviously that won't always be the case. Thanks in advance for the help.

I'm not trying to fuss over this, but my opinion was formed during my 2 years as president of our local league. I never had trouble getting managers, coaches, board members, officers, concession managers, workers, etc., but I had MUCH difficulty getting umpires. All-stars was particularly difficult because you're competing with paid summer league games and travel tournaments. That said, I don't disagree with the premise that LL should be an all volunteer organization, at least on the local level. However, I think that's getting increasingly difficult to do with umpires.

basejester...thanks for that. We are told by our District we are not to pay umpires and I thought that was the case LL wide. Had I done better research, I probably would have ended up in a big fight at our District meetings..lol. Personally I think It's crazy not to pay the umpires if the specific local league has the means to do so. LL does make it hard on the local leagues in terms of money since there is no admission fee to watch ballgames. It would have made life so much easier if we could have charged the adults something nominal like $1.00.