wolfe_man

I'll let others go into more detail, but the main idea is to heat the plastic to where it's pliable and then reshape it to fit your body and hold it there, or restrict it in place somehow, while it cools and re-hardens. You are re-forming the hard plates to fit your shoulders and arms mostly. If you do it a few times; heating, shaping and then keeping in place while it cools - then you'll end up with a CP that fits tighter to you than one out of the box could ever fit. You can use a heat gun (preferred) or hair dryer (same results, but takes longer). Don't overheat or you'll lose the shape entirely, no puddling here please. The best method is slow and steady. Remember to remove the padding first so that you are only heating the plates. I've seen guys use hard objects (i.e. a basketball) to reform the chest plate and then tape the plate to it or maybe they would rubber band the shoulder parts around a football or something of the sort to get the plates to form better to their shoulders or arms. Some do heating, restricting and then put the CP into a freezer to 'flash-freeze' the cooling and do several cycles. There really is no right or wrong way as long as you end up with a CP that fits you better than you started with, but I recommend exercising patience and take it slow. It's easier to add more heat to make a CP more pliable, than it is to reshape a melted plastic plate.

That's a pretty solid list. The only change I would consider is moving up from the AS mask to a more solid frame, but only from personal choice. From a cost standpoint, I'd say that's a great starting point and offers great value for the money. Personally, I'd keep the skull cap. I value it as much as my mask. It's one more level of protection against concussions. You only have one brain, protect it.

I have it on good authority that they purchased these. MLB gives the umpires $$$ per year (a few hundred) to use towards Mizuno products and they can purchase what they prefer. It sure feels like MLB is pretty frugal with their expenses and is not handing much out for free.

Congratulations and best wishes for a clean game!

Here is the article from Jim Kirk: https://www.ump-attire.com/Blog/Jim-Goes-Parental-with-Umpire-Cap-Bill-Length-Warning-on-Umpire-Empire-Post I realize everyone's experience is different, but the AS Skully does not move on my head all game. I wear 7 3/8 or 7 1/2 hats and use the L version and mine stays right where I put it. I just don't like the too-short bill, but I realize it was built for the MAG. I am thinking of buying an Axis Pro for the longer bill. To fix any shiny helmets, I recommend a simple coat or two of $5 spray-on Matte finish by Rustoleum. I've used it on several in the past and it lasted me several seasons. Thank you for the post. This is very helpful and more discussion and info is needing shared on these. I wholly endorse wearing one and the more that we can put out there, the safer our peers can be.

The same is true in my HS association. The local LL actually does a fair job of getting younger umpires going though. Many a good umpire has started at that level and advanced.

ROFLOL - I hear you brother! That was crossed out as not a real option of course. No way any of us are doing that option!

Gotcha. Each to their own of course. Ultimately, you have to do what works best for your situation. chinstrap

If it isn't AI, then this young man has excellent communication skills. I'd hire him to work in the bank's offices. He could forgo the umpire side hustle. Here's my AI response using the same language as above, but asking AI to elaborate and lengthen my reply: Certainly! Here’s an expanded and more detailed version of your response: If it isn’t AI, then this young man truly possesses outstanding communication skills. His ability to articulate thoughts clearly and engage effectively with others is impressive, especially for someone his age. I would absolutely consider hiring him to work in a bank’s offices, where strong interpersonal and professional communication are essential. With his talent, he could excel in client interactions, team collaboration, and even in roles that require precise documentation or customer service. Given these skills, he might not need to rely on his umpire side hustle; a promising career in banking could be well within his reach. It’s rare to see such poise and capability, and it speaks volumes about his potential for success in a professional environment.

Perhaps try going down a size. I did hear that you can buy padding direct from an AS rep like @Matt Arcovio. If that's still an option, you could possibly use the same helmet and simply adjust the padding to make it a snugger fit. Matt may have some suggestions here too, I tagged him. In my area, skull caps/helmets are still relatively unseen, in spite of me encouraging every partner to wear one. I've had 5 mask shots this year, way up from normal but I'm only doing plates as I recover so I'm seeing more pitches and doing lower level HS with new F2's, with no ill effects thus far. I am a big believer in the skully adding another layer of protection for your brain. I'd rather have inertia from the baseball knocking my mask off and then to my helmet than to my head & neck.

If a manager comes out and wants to ask a question, then make sure to call "time". I'm surprised how many guys just let them walk right out while the ball is still technically in play. I've learned to point them to my partner as @Velho suggests. Words can many times be used against us or sound feeble, so the less said the better off we are is often true. "It's his call on that, so you will need to direct any questions to him" or something like it works well. I would avoid giving them any information (I didn't see that, I'd make the same call if I were out there, etc.). It's been said to let them talk first and explain what their question is before we start assuming they are out there to argue or complain. He may not even be asking about that specific call, but about a missed base before it or something else. Before we start explaining why we're right, let them ask their question first, it may save us some headaches. Yeah, you're right on the last one. I've said it in the past and immediately regretted it as it sounds terrible like you said. Lesson learned and never-to-be-used again in the future - core memory unlocked.

The only difference between the two helmets, that I'm aware of, is the length of the bill. The Axis Pro (catcher version) is made for all masks and the Skully (umpire version) is made for AS MAG mainly. The Skully was specifically created with the short bill for the AS MAG due to it's unique forehead shape making it impossible to safely wear a regular bill underneath it, so they created the short-billed umpire skull cap (aka Bob the Builder). The Axis Pro has the same removable & washable padding and offers more colors (for catchers of course). This is why Max is so fond of saying these companies are for catchers, because they don't normally produce umpire-only gear. They just happen to have some gear they can throw out to umpires too, but it was made for catchers, and with them in mind, first.

+ Chad Whitson in a DX Kuta

I'm not sure on this one, that isn't an Enduro he's wearing in the pic. The one that he's wearing has a different neck pad and that orange trim appears to be plastic. I have heard that Chad Whitson has an Enduro also, but haven't seen him in it yet. It's hard finding recent pics and I don't get the opportunity to watch many games - and the highlights I catch seldom give me enough close views to notice umpire gear even though I'm looking!

If you tag the person that you want by using the @ and their name, then you'll normally get quicker replies. Some prefer negotiating via the messaging directly method too, you would go to his page by clicking on his name and then send him a message. It is a more private method of communicating sales details, payment, shipping info, etc. @Chris Hickman is well-known on here and does a great job when selling items. He has top-notch stuff and is well-recommended.

Interesting topic. Last night, the ball seemed to be jumping a lot more than usual. No one complained about illegal bats, but had me wondering in my head if there was something going on. Both pitchers were pretty good, but the ball was just jumping off the bat - line drives going to all fields! I'm glad we don't have to police it all the time, hardly ever even asked about it, but it had me looking up the rule to be safe.

Wishing you the best! I know several who have had knees done, some had zero pain even! You got the secret already, keep moving. If we stop moving, we'll die. Even if it hurts, keep moving and hope in time it will get better. It's been a long year plus for me, but I refuse to quit until I get better. If you keep that mindset, it will come in time. Stay positive in your mind and keep moving and time seems to go much quicker!

No offense taken. I know some others have been outspoken about if you cannot perform fully, then get off the field. I apologize if you felt it was directed towards you as that was not my intention. I definitely want to do more and be better. For now, I am giving it all I can physically and it's frustrating to find that I cannot perform like I desire to perform. I am not getting to the 45-foot line, I did before, but not right now. I challenge myself to get as far up as I can before the play, but a few steps off the circle is my max under the present conditions. I sincerely hope, I doubt - but I hope, that the neurosurgeon is right and my nerves and back continue to heal so I can return to 100% and run again. For now, physically I'm maybe 80-85% and have a ways to go. The strength and stamina is returning slowly, but I still feel weaker and just not there yet. I'll be honest, there are some days that I'd be truly happy to just walk normal again without pain, but I really want to get back to running if possible. I'm very thankful to not be in a wheelchair and am able to move under my own power, but not satisfied with it. I won't be satisfied until I'm back to 100% again and getting to the places I did before... and hopefully just as quickly. I was entertaining a trip to MO and possibly getting into some lower-level college baseball before my setback. I'd really like the opportunity to get healthy enough to take that trip! I didn't realize you had physical issues also. I wish you the best in your recovery!

I'm not sure what is meant by goals, but my goal is to work the game as close to how I've always worked a game. My goal is to perform well enough as PU that folks won't even know I am handicapped unless they saw me drive up and saw the tag hanging from my mirror. On plays at 1B, I can get out from behind the plate, around the plate and bat, and off the dirt circle - but that's about as far up the line I can get right now before the BR reaches 1st base. I make sure to stop and be still to get a pulled foot or possible RLI. On plays at 3B, if I think there's a chance of any play that way on hits to the outfield, then I start moving immediately if the ball is not my responsibility. I can get close enough to get a good angle to make the correct call. Most of my partners are great at saying they'll stay with the BR all the way and have me take both lines all the way. I still try to move as much as I can to get in position for possible INF at 2B on double plays, on throwbacks from 1st-to-3rd if R2 tries to advance on infield plays at 1B, etc. I simply cannot run yet, the best I can do is a normal/fast walk - which is maybe 3mph. If I try to run my left leg won't work in sync with the right and I'll trip over my own feet literally. So I just walk as fast as I can and it's working so far. I've stayed on mostly lower level games so I don't mess up any important games. But I humbly believe that I can call a game as PU as good as almost anyone else in my area and feel that I can cover the plate responsibilities well enough to do Varsity baseball too. I've had some partners tell me not to feel bad at all about taking Varsity games from anyone, I deserve them on merit. I'm well aware of some opinions that if you cannot perform at 100% then you should not work at all and I respect them. If I ever truly feel that I cannot perform the responsibilities of an umpire well enough to do it justice, then I will humbly exit left and hang them up. For now, getting back out there and performing again has been a huge help to my mental recovery and I believe is helping me physically also.

I hope he’s okay. That was quite the shot he took. I’ve seen a lot of very rude and nasty comments online.

Anyone see that shot to Scott Kennedy this weekend? I wonder if a skullcap would have prevented the knockout? I know I’m sold on wearing it. After four years, I won’t go without it.

Update: While I am still unable to run, I have returned to umpiring high school baseball in the past few weeks. I have done 11 games behind the plate so far. I anm hopeful that my nerves regenerate enough to let me run again, but I’m thankful to be up and moving and able to work games again. I didn’t realize how much I needed it! Thank you to each person who commented or shared. It’s all helpful and appreciated.

Great point made and agreed with wholeheartedly by this guy. Umpire audits at many levels would ding you for being too fast... even if you're right. Like for not doing a pivot at 1st base when you caught the touch and that there was no interference just the same by looking over your shoulder, but you didn't follow the assigned protocol by the age-old umpire association. I've had a, let's call them a supervisor, say that my strike call wasn't long/loud enough (first time I've ever been told I can't be heard, normally I'm told I'm too loud). Twelve years of doing this signal/call and I've not had one coach at any level say "Was that the strike signal Blue? I can't hear you and that hammer confused me" - but I evidently didn't meet the superivosr's signaling/volume expectations. He also said I need to call every pitch because it's nothing until I call it... what about the pitch to the backstop? The one that hits the batter, BALL. Do I need to scream "FOUL BALL" on every foul too - even the one over the grandstand? Change can be a good thing if it gets rid of archaic rules and policies. Can navy shirts be next please? Back to the topic, do you think we'll see an immediate and big change from F2 pitch-yanking or do you think it'll take a few years to trickle down to amateur levels?

My apologies, I'm very familiar with the older DaviShins, but not so much with the new ones. It is entirely possible I applied the wrong logic for the wrong shins. I should have asked for a pic or confirmed which version first before commenting. I hope you find a good, workable solution.