BobUmp

I had the same situation myself that Stan W describes: Last Fall tourney of the year, 18U team, last game they will play together (maybe forever) - I have the plate, two man umpire crew: Before incident: no issues with any players, BUT both HCs got into it in 3rd inning when HC of offending team tried to get a balk call from my partner on a windup that had a slight hesitation on the initial step back, and the other HC chimed in on the commentary - we shut it down immediately and no other issues until: Close game (VT up by 2), bottom 6, offending team (HT) at bat, instigator starts with a double. After a pop out, there is a groundball to RF has instigator rounding third heading home. Throw beats instigator by a large margin (no real chance to score) and runner 10-12 feet from plate, so did not start slide yet. Runner goes way out of basepath and I call him out (still several feet from plate, and a good 4 feet from catcher and basepath), so catcher pivots with ball to throw to second to attempt to get BR trying to advance and.... Instigator tackles catcher like a Defensive End coming in for a sack, including swiping the arm to prevent the throw and cause a "fumble".. As I recover from shock and call time, he continues the tackle by pulling the catcher to ground across the plate, which puts me between the tackle and the mound. It looks like he is putting a choke hold on the kid so I first start to go in to break it up, but then realize he is just holding him not choking and I stop and step back. Immediately, there are several players from the HT (offenders') team jumping on the two making a pile at home plate, and my spidey sense goes off (how did they react to the fracas quicker than the pitcher or other defenders?) So I back up and start noting numbers... Both teams have members joining in, and even a parent came on the field and was restrained by a quick-thinking coach. coaches and the TD broke it up. Immediately, the TD turned to me and said that we should call the game and both teams will get a 7-0 loss in the tourney. I told him actually, no need, game can be called by forfeit to the HT - I had enough of their numbers to eject which left them with only five players to continue, and the other team would still have at least 9. I told him that I think it was an ambush by the HT, and the other team did not instigate as far as I know. We told the HCs and called the game a forfeit on the HT. I found out later that the kids on the offending team planned to have a season ending brawl for their last game together, and when nothing was happening in this last game and it was getting late, the instigator let the bench know he would start something that inning.

I got one from Mike a couple of weeks ago. A total pleasure to do business with. The frame is awesome, and as light weight as I hoped. Mike sent it to me fast, and I was able to don it in my first JUCO game of the year! Thanks Mike!

May I add that this definition is consistent through LL, MLB, HS and College Rules Fair in all, as long as it stops or is touched while in fair territory (it could, theoretically, start foul, roll fair, then roll back foul and be touched or stopped all before first or third base, then it is foul)

I have a silver one - if you don't get anywhere with the black one and would try silver, I will let it go at a discount...

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I find the leather pads are softer and more comfortable in the colder weather - say less than 45 F. They are like soft cushy warm couch cushions for your face. I use both ALL-STAR and Wilson leathers, and both seem to do OK in protection (I do HS Varsity and JUCO in the cold portion of spring). Once the weather warms up, I switch to Team Wendys - they are super-protective (anti-concussion), comfortable and stay soft in warmer weather, and they wash up in the washing machine, with an overnight air-dry, and look like new! Dry Fit is a valid option, but to me its a compromise on both leather and TWs - not as protective as TWs, not as soft as leather in the cold nor TWs in the warm.. So ultimately I traded dry-fits away.

I do a good amount of tourney ball, and I think the answer is, for most of us, trying to concentrate, rotate, get into position, hustle, and generally be mentally engaged over more than just a few hours is not realistic. When I started out years back, I did the 4-6 games in one day thing, trying to get "experience hours" in and be a good soldier that the assignors would remember. Over the years as I became more experienced I have been really striving to make every game I officiate a full quality effort from mechanics, timing, hustle, game management etc. I have realized that, for ME, if I keep it to one to two games in one day I will (most likely) perform at a top level that I can be satisfied and proud with, when honestly looking back on my performance. In fact, if I am able to keep it to one or two in a day, I will actually be able to assess and implement improvements to my performance and become a better umpire- the day's work will help me become better for future days. Now, with officials' shortages (especially at the "higher" levels) and the sheer volume of tourney and travel league ball out there, there are many weekend days (and mid-summer, weekdays!) where the assignors will push 3, 4 or more games on me in one day and I will accept them all. Its just nature of the beast. And yes, sometimes I get away with it and have a 4 game set where I am happy with my performance throughout. But being totally honest with myself - first, the majority of my ejections are on those "3 or more games" days, maybe indicating my performance may have had a contribution to the situation; - second, I am probably not actually improving myself or my techniques during that long day, just getting by.. and, maybe, taking a step or two back... Anyhow, the assignors know now that they should sparingly throw more than 2 or 3 in one day at me because I will not do it weekend after weekend, and i will just block out and enjoy a weekend or two off if they abuse it. And yes, they have their "Iron Men" that for many legitimate reasons including they need/want the paycheck or they love being on the field all day or whatever.. In spite of this, many times these past couple of years I will get on the "higher level/ higher exposure" games and tourneys, one or two at a time, and they know I will bring my "A" game and probably be improving my game as the season goes on. So I think that once you know and stay below your personal limit where your performance/health/personal life will suffer, and if you are blessed to not have to crank out 6 games a day for the money, you will actually become a valuable option to the assignors based on the quality of officiating you will bring to your 1, 2, or 3 games that weekend.

I've got both - Have had the XV for a few years now and the Cobalt I bought right before COVID, so got a full season in last year. I am also basically the same size as you : 6 ft 3 in and 230 lbs.. BOTH protect well - BOTH cover the gaps and our full ribs/torso with the extensions (once adjusted properly) BOTH wick heat/sweat away really well - you can feel the difference from other CPs such as Wilson Platinum, Champions, +POS The Cobalt cost significantly more, BUT I barely had to adjust the stock set up from right out of the box - simple adjustments, I use all the extensions, and it stays in place, has a noticeable cooling channel in the chest area, and protects the chest, ribs, clavicles and shoulders nicely for us taller/bigger guys. The XV costs significantly less, BUT I had to adjust and tinker a lot to get it perfect. I have an older Schutt version that I put a custom harness on and have all of the MAX alterations (chicago screws and heat bending). I also have an Adams XV version that I also wound up changing the harness (although the Adams harness was workable, I preferred a different harness) and making some modifications to, but not as radical as the original - still heat worked it but did not need to change the shoulder caps. For both I needed to work on the velcro because I like washing the pads in the washing machine often - nothing like donning a clean nice smelling CP... If pushed, I would say the XV is slightly lighter, slightly more low profile under shirts, and slightly cooler than the Cobalt, but not by much. BOTH clean in the washing machine easily (then air dry) - I will wash them a few times a week in the summer if I am busting out games. You cannot go wrong either way - if you have the funds, the Cobalt is easier to get dialed in right out of the box, while the XV is gentle on the wallet and is slightly lower profile and cooler.

Second pic has my warmer weather >45 degrees rigs: ALL THREE +POS ZERO-G steel: ZERO-G Charcoal with Black TWs, +POS Black TG, and black Adidas Strap - looks good with Black Plate Coat, Charcoal Foul Weather Jacket, or Black Long Sleeve ZERO-G Black with Tan TWs, +POS Black TG, and +POS Black strap - looks good with Black PC, Black Long Sleeve, or Black Short Sleeve ZERO-G Silver with Black TWs, Honig's Black TG, and +POS Black Strap - looks good with any black (or grey/charcoal), particularly like it for night games with the Black Plate Coat Play Ball!

OK, getting ready for HS season start - just got my schedule! I prefer TWs, but find them very hard in cold weather, say less than 45 degrees. Prefer leather below 45... Also our HS primary is still Navy, with Black as a popular option, so I match colors with my uniform. First pic has my early season cold weather rigs: Old Wilson with throat chopped, painted "mild steel" (like gunmetal), Mizuno TG black, Wilson Black and Grey leathers, Gerry Davis black strap - looks good with Black Plate Coat or the Foul Weather Jacket (charcoalish) Wilson AL black, Wilson Tan leathers, Wilson TG black, WV strap black - looks good with Black Plate Coat or Black Long Sleeve Shirt Adidas Steel Silver, ALL Star LMX leathers Navy/Tan, Honigs strap Navy, Honigs TG Navy - use it with the Navy Plate Coat, Navy Foul Weather Jacket, or Navy Shirt (in warmer weather) - towards the end of the season when warm weather prevails I will swap the leather All Star pads with Tan TWs

I switched from hammer to point a couple of years ago, as I got more experienced. It wound up that it helped me slow down my timing, and my strike zone/B/S calls got much more consistent, and of course better. I started with looking to the side of the point when no one was on, and not looking to the side with runners on. That was fine, BUT some of the coaches I would see a lot at the older levels could pick up on if I was off a little in my mechanics, which would translate to questions. So I started "switching it up" a little, by waiting on making my strike call. For example, with runners on I would wait a second or two to see if any action on the bases, and if none, would turn my head to the point side with the call. If there was action, I would call the strike once I made a decision on interference/no interference. In conjunction with the wait and see on the strike call, I needed to slow my call on balls, and on swings, to keep it looking consistent. Now, I am slow all the way around, and will even mix in a head nod on a big curve ball that drops in, or a fastball at the knees, before I make a call. Complaints are way down and out of the "ordinary" now, so pointing helped me improve. Oh, and I change up my strike 3 all the time, for fun!

Heard this COVID-related one the other day from another umpire, so not mine, but its winning the "best heckle of the COVID year" award so far: After a close play, a parent in the RF stands yells out "Blue, just put the mask over your eyes!" I bet he was dying to yell that one out all game...

Yeah, this stuff is the hardest to manage, because every interaction is different - different people, ages, situations, etc.. I think, given the result, you will probably in a similar situation next time, adjust your first interaction to maybe keep it from escalating (maybe). I suggest when they ask a question (legit, like a rules interp such as isn't that a balk?), you broadcast body language for "listen mode" (maybe hands in back pockets, and one or two steps in their direction so they know they have your attention and you're thinking about their question), and then wait two or more seconds before giving an answer. It shows you are considering their question/POV, and gives you a chance to read if you need to be defensive or need to just give an explanation. In this case, maybe a "the mound is crappy today, so I'm judging that he's OK like that", would have done the trick. If not, he would just dial up and then you can shut him down like you did. Just a suggestion- no guarantee that would placate every situation - sometimes they just want to battle you

We're behind the pitcher. It is a great opportunity for me to really work on my field mechanics. The past couple of years I was working really hard on my plate: I would offer to take as many plates as i could get (and there are a lot of guys out there that would gladly "let me" take the plate when we would be assigned together). Now, of course, the rotations and positioning are different than non-COVID, but the timing, the pause-read-react, the out/safe/catch/no-catch mechanics are all the same and I can work on them every game, regardless of position. The communications are even more critical now, and even when I am with guys that in a standard two man last year we kind of knew where each of us were and what each would be doing, and maybe cut down on verbal comms, NOW we are obliged to be communicating verbally on the majority of action, and that is a good habit to carry forward. Finally, the "react" part is enhanced now, because now rotations and tracking and working areas are not so cut and dry or rehearsed, and that also magnifies the value of good timing.. I was first kind of put off by changing everything around, and of course it is not ideal, especially on wild pitches, shots down the 3B line etc. But, there is a value I am getting out of it, making do and maybe making myself a better umpire when we get past this nuttiness..

If it helps, I have been running Fire/EMS/Rescue calls through the whole pandemic. It got a bit hairy here on Long Island for about 8 weeks there, where it was surging to the point that entering the ER we had to steer our patients around COVID people sitting in chairs in the corridors and entrances to the ER, right to ER nurses and docs that were dressed like there were HAZMAT techs at a nuclear accident. Luckily it never got overwhelming, and the chiefs/heads that be came up with some great policies that help lower the risk of us first responders catching the cooties, without breaking the bank or going crazy on hazmat suits: 1) masks PROPERLY donned as trained - NOT like that picture of being donned over your ump mask: a. surgical/cloth on fire calls, on the back of fire apparatus, and at rescue scenes where you are outside and not the direct patient care person b, N95 (usually with a surgical or cloth over the N95), again properly donned, on all EMS calls, in EMS rigs/ambulances, at the ER, and at rescue scenes that are indoors or you are direct patient care/exposure c. eye, hand/body PPE where protocols require, optional otherwise 2) MINIMAL EXPOSURE TIME and Personnel: a. for EMS, restricted to 2 persons exposed: EMT and driver. All other personnel stay outside and not permitted to go in ambulance with patient or to an ER b. for Rescue/Fire, MINIMUM personnel needed inside or near patients/victims, determined by officer and size-up c. get patients to come outside to you when possible, and transport only to closest hospital that has the certifications to handle your patient/problem d. run with windows open and rear ventilation on and full blast 3) WASH Hands and sanitizer/bleach with water after each call 4) ALL social areas and ready room CLOSED to personnel during pandemic - minimize contact with your partners/personnel - at one point the firehouse was "closed" - alarms only, respond from home only AND, it worked - we had NO COVID positives in the personnel as of this email, and I last got tested (active and antibodies) two weeks ago, all clean. So I would say, if us umpires work the same way, we can minimize the risk: 1) Wear a surgical or cloth mask PROPERLY from pre game in the parking lot to post game. 2) DO NOT socialize, or hang out and get dressed in a clubhouse or scorekeepers box - parking lot only 3) wash hands/sanitizer after EVERY Game 4) Avoid handling equipment, and why not, even baseballs (wouldn't hurt) 5) skip the pregame, or make it 5 seconds (Hi I'm Bob, you guys work out the lineups yourselves, everyone good to go? let's go) 6) stay away from dugouts (shouldn't you anyways?) 7) hand sanitizer during the game if contact is made with equipment or persons 8) in between games, don't congregate/go into a clubhouse etc. Stay outside and 6 feet apart I, for one, will feel quite safe doing these 8 things...