midmoump

Book sayeth, "interferes with the fielder taking the throw at first base." Rule 6.05(k) No throw, no interference. Pete

K-Finn, you are the wind beneath my wings. :P

I just received a promotional email from Better Baseball. They are offering 10% discount. Use the code "riseball" Pete

Check out the BRD, 278-187. Pete

Just how heavy is it... I use this indicator as well. I've never weighed it, but I couldn't believe how heavy it was when I got it in the mail. Let's just say this - if you were to hit a coach in the head with it, he would likely be unconscious. It comes notched, and only goes up to 3 balls, 2 strikes and 2 outs - faster to zero out. I use it also. It is heavy, hurts your fingers, and will blind you when the sun reflects off of it. Pete

Ah! Confucius say, "Umpire is glue that holds game together." Pete

Now Kevin, overcoming denial is an important step in the recovery process. . . I'm right there with you, brother! Its my hobby, and equipment is just part of the fun. Pete

I like Jerry Crawford's 0-1 count:

Ha! K-Finn, I just realized that you bought ANOTHER new mask! Maybe you should check out this link: http://www.shopaholicsanonymous.org/ My handle on their forum is "UmpShop12" ;)

Amen! However, not all hard shell CPs are created equal. I suggested the Champion strictly as an adequate entry level hard shell CP for a tight budget. Some here have recommended purchasing pro gear, since it is excellent and you will not need to replace it if you progress up the food chain. The idea is that if you buy something that is adequate for your level, you may need to buy another protector as you progress (although I personally know a very good college umpire that wears the Champion for DI contests). The Champion is a solid protector that is recommended for average HS pitching and below. If you intend to step up to better pitching, you may want to consider a Douglas (if you can find it), a Wilson Gold or Platinum, or an All Star hard shell. All of which are considerably more expensive. Don't suck, Pete p.s. Remember, we are talking about the "old" Champion that has been discontinued. If you don't know the difference, do some research.

If you decide to go the replacement pad route, take a look at this article for ideas: http://midwestump.blogspot.com/2011/02/review-and-comparison-of-umpire-mask.html Pete

Ooooh, I LOVE a good deal! :clap:

Since when are base awards added consecutively? If the defense throws the ball into the dugout during a Type A obstruction play, the runner gets two bases, not three. Take for example a play out of the J/R: R1. Ground ball to F3 who throws wild to 2B and pulls F6 off the bag. F6 throws to 1B (second play). F1 is attempting to cover 1B and obstructs the B/R (Type A Obstruction). F6's throw goes into stands. J/R says the Type A Obstruction awards the B/R 1B. HOWEVER, the overthrow means R1 scores, and the B/R goes to 2B, NOT 3B. If the B/R is entitled to a batted ball/detached equipment award, but the defense throws the ball into the stands before he reaches first, the B/R gets third base, not home. As for the OP, the rule book says it is a TOT award and based on the the position of the runners at the time of throw. The B/R is awarded 2B. Look at MW94's example also. We don't add the BB award to a TOP award. When do we ever? Pete

I'm late to this party, but here's my two cents: http://midwestump.blogspot.com/2011/02/beginners-guide-to-umpire-equipment.html Here is what I would buy on a tight budget and my wife looking over my shoulder. . . * Wilson A3009x with leather pads, $64 w/shipping incl. from Anaconda (use 10% code ANACONDA) - you could probably contact Better Baseball and match this deal * Champion P220 13" chest protector (old style) from Better Baseball $35 * Diamond DLG-UMPLITE150 15" leg guards $29.99 from Better Baseball - if you need a longer guard, don't buy the Diamonds. * $10 shipping from Better Baseball $64+35+29.99+10=$138.99 Pete

It constantly amazes me how associations (local and state) continue to assert authority over sports officials while at the same time hiding behind the official's "independent contractor" status when things go wrong. Sure I'm an independent contractor, even though I am: * told how to dress (including every aspect of my appearance: weight, facial hair, uniform, equipment, etc.); * told to how conduct my job tasks in accordance with association guidelines; * in many cases paid directly by the association; * rated in my job performance; * required to attend training and take tests without compensation; * required to pay dues to the association (which resembles a union); * offered jobs from a central assigner, told game times and, in some cases, time limits. Refusal of work often results in blocking that date (esp. on Arbiter) and denying other work opportunities; * often given mileage to and from the game site, and sometimes other per diem expenses; * [insert your association's own unique requirement here] Sure, I'm an independent contractor. . . now tell me to shave my 'stash. . . Pete

I heard he's working as an airline pilot. . .

Great video! Thanks, Warren! Nothing makes grown men giggle like playing with an air cannon. With 120 psi they were firing missiles at that shoe! Pete

I absolutely respect the Phillips approach. Some umpires might say that the "rules are all we have." Maybe that's right. What I'm trying to say is that Phillips is using the rules to interpret the events of the game. Did Yount actually bat out of order? Was Young actually a pinch hitter. I don't believe anyone in the ballpark thought so and likely believed Yount was in CF batting third and Young was the DH batting fifth. The scoreboard probably said as much. A mistake was made on the lineup card, that is the problem. The Phillips approach says that the rules cause Yount to bat fifth as the DH. BUT. . . * No centerfielder was designated to start the game * When the first pitch was thrown, Yount was in CF. * SO who did Yount replace in CF? * And Rule 6.10( B)(5) says the pitcher must bat in the place of the substituted defensive player. Who's that? Yount? Who's on first? What? Second base! The Phillips approach fictionalizes the events of the game.

That is a very good point! The rulebook says that if a DH is not designated and the game begins, there is no DH. On the other hand, if a DH is designated, he must bat once. But look at what actually happened in this game: 1. An obvious error has been made on the lineup card that should have been corrected by the umpires: Youn(t) hitting third playing CF, Youn(g) hitting fifth as DH 2. When the first pitch is thrown, Yount is in centerfield. 3. Yount bats in the third spot and does not bat in the fifth spot. 4. Young bats fifth. In order for the Phillips approach to work, you have to reinterpret the game. The Phillips approach defies Ockhman's Razor and creates several fictions to describe what happened, including: 1. Yount is locked into the DH position batting fifth due to the lineup card error. Rule 4.01, Rule 6.10 2. When Yount took the field in the TOP of the first, the DH position was eliminated. Rule 6.10(B)(5) 3. When Yount batted in the first inning in the three hole, he was batting out of order. Rule 6.10(B)(5) 4. When Young batted in the second inning in the five hole, he was an unannounced pinch hitter for Yount. Rule 6.10(B)(4) The umpire is both an eye-witness to the events of the game and an arbiter. The umpire witnesses, describes, and rules on the events of the game. Instead of applying the rules to the actual events of the game, the Phillips approach creates a fictional account of the game in order to apply rules. On the other hand, the Springstead approach describes the events as they actually happened, but punishes the error by eliminating the DH. The Springstead approach creates a penalty to apply to what actually happened. Which is worse? I dunno. I prefer the Springstead approach.

I was told of an umpire who called a runner safe at 2B, and the minor league manager sprinted from the dugout waiving his arms and generally acting like an a$$. The umpire waited for the skipper to run all the way out, side-stepped him and tossed him. The manager didn't even get to speak and he was gone. Sweet. The OBR states that the umpire shall call time when a manager requests "time" for a substitution, or for a conference with one of his players. Rule 5.10(d) As for coming onto the field during a live ball, the J/R manual and WUM agree that this action should be considered a request for time, but only granted when play ("continuous action") has ceased. A coach may interfere with a fielder or obstruct a runner. However, we have rules regarding these actions. Simply crossing the lines and causing confusion does not by itself immediately kill a live ball or create a penalty situation. Pete

So, wearing Navy, you're going to wear a black ball bag and hat ????? I rarely wear Navy but if I did wear it in a REC ball game i would wear Black bags and hat. FTFY THAT is Laugh Out Loud Funny!

There was no protest by either side and the Brewers won the game 12-10. A protest would have been the smart thing to do by both sides, although I can understand Sparky Anderson not wanting to further rock the boat once his goal of removing Yount from the game was met. The funny thing is that his replacement, Jim Adduci, had a big game. Adduci went two for three including a double, a sacrifice fly, 2 rbi and 2 rs. It's too bad there wasn't a protest because then we would have a definitive answer. As it is, I would enforce the Springstead approach because I have two authoritative opinions (Fitzpatrick and Springstead): Yount bats third and plays centerfield. "The error eliminates the DH" and Wegman bats in the five hole. When Young hits in the second, he is an unannounced pinch hitter for Wegman. Get someone throwing, skip. The Phillips approach makes some sense and has better rule support, but as MST says it falls apart when Yount batted in the three hole. Now Phillips has to create a fiction for his interpretation to work - that Yount batted out of turn and Young pinch hit for him. Pete

The company background is tragic. . . Yes, the Team Wendys pads fit the Wilson titanium. as well as standard and low profile masks. I have them in a Diamond iX3 DFM-UMP rig and they fit well. Pete

Team Wendy makes some bold claims regarding Zorbium. It is comforting to know that Team Wendy’s Zorbium helmet liner is the only system authorized for use by the U.S. Army, Marine Corps and National Guard. Also, MLB umpire Ed Rapuano suffered a concussion in April of 2010, and now uses Team Wendy mask pads exclusively. Of course, he is a compensated spokesperson. Here is a video of Rapuano getting smacked in the head while wearing Team Wendy pads in 2011. For more on Team Wendy pads, check out: Review on Midwest Ump Review on Umpire-Empire

This is a very confusing situation! Is there a clear answer? The OBR tells us what to do when a manager lists 10 players, but fails to designate a DH: * If discovered before the game starts, it is an "obvious" error that can be corrected. Rule 6.10( B)(1). * If discovered after the game starts, the DH is terminated for the game. Rule 6.11( B)(11) For instance, the Tampa Bay Rays listed two third basemen during a home game against Cleveland in 2009. One player (Evan Longoria) was intended to be the DH. In the TOP half of the first, Ben Zobrist played third. In the bottom of the first, the Cleveland skipper pointed out the error. Since Zobrist had entered the game, he is locked into his lineup spot. The DH is terminated for the remainder of the game and the pitcher must bat in Longoria's vacated spot. However, since Longoria never entered the game, he has not been replaced and is still eligible to play. http://mlb.mlb.com/n...tent_id=4783714 HOWEVER, the rules are silent as to what happens when a player is listed twice - once as the DH. Steve, I like the J/R approach also, but how do you support it? 9.03©? Was the DH improperly listed? Phillips would argue that the DH was properly designated. I assume Springstead would say that because only nine players are listed, or because they screwed up the lineup card with the DH, there can be no DH. But where is that rule found? Pete EDIT: that should be 6.10(B)(11)