wolfe_man

I normally just text him now, but I have used email at times also when asking about color options and examples. His cell is 860-838-7480 I will add that I'm coming up on two weeks since last contact, so it's possible he's out of town. Are you THAT Chris Sabo or simply a big fan of the 1990 Cincinnati Reds wire-to-wire team of which Mr Sabo was a big part? Sorry, I had to ask.

Tony (Mask It) has two of my masks right now. I’d say he’s still in business. Man, I sure hope he is because I already paid too!

I didn't either when I started out, but after several marathon walk-fest's I quickly figured out that I could do more than just call pitches while I'm back there. I don't technically "coach" anyone, but I suggest that we can get more strikes if they help me out. If you do it right, no one but you and F2 and maybe the batter knows what you're doing. Everyone wants more strikes! I mean, everyone... the pitcher, the coach, Mom, Dad, Grandma & Grandpa - even the batter would prefer there are more strikes. Do yourself a favor and let the catcher how to get more of them!

By Varsity it can be a difficult ask - but at JV I am letting them know often. When you jerk that pitch back, it makes it look bad/outside. Catch and stick it and receive it well and I can get you a strike there instead. Let me help you and your pitcher out, work with me.

That looks nice. Great idea! Does it help it lean back any? I keep having balls sneak back under my TG on bounces. I use only 6” but they’re still getting under somewhere.

I’ll check. I have a kit with several sizes so didn’t notice which I used.

I’ve got an extra I can sell. It’s already got the Chicago screw update also. IM me and we’ll work out details please. Thanks

It’s being coated, I’ll add to Mask Porn once it’s back.

No matter how hard I try, I just cannot see where there is an issue (safety or anything else) with a kid wearing it on his belt. It's secured to his body, not flopping around... So why all the fuss about it when even the manufacturer even says it can be worn on the belt? Is this really an ego issue with the NFHS committee being unwilling to make an amendment to a definition that they made 13 years ago that these HAVE to be worn on the wrist only? Does NFHS realize that they're losing credibility with coaches when you get rid of the jewelry rule - but then say something like a QB sleeve cannot be worn on the belt for "safety" reasons? Oh, it isn't safety-related? It's just because you said so back in 2010? That's even worse! Nothing says tone-deaf quite like navy umpire shirts and making up excuses for why you won't change when there is no truly good reason not to do so.

It's a scam. They may not scam you, but they may. As soon as you place the order, they'll probably steal your CC info and do something with it. The one on eBay awhile back was selling everything at 1/3 - 1/4 of true cost, but they were stealing people's CC information and using it to buy something else. It was kind of like a reverse Ponzi scheme. Instead of reinvesting your money and then giving you the next investor's cash, these guys were selling you gear at a discount but then using your card to help buy the next guy's discount. Remember the old adage: if it looks to good to be true, it probably is. They're not in business to GIVE you anything, so how are they making money here? OFF you or your information.

Welcome and have fun out there!

I think those will fit me. I'll take 'em! PM sent.

No sir, High School D1 team. The whole team had them on their belts.

In OH, we just got it too.

I think the ".shop" is different from the Purchase Officials that we all know and love.

I'm with you brother, why did NFHS choose to die on this particular hill? I had to tell a whole D1 baseball team the other night to remove it from their belts. The coach was incredulous and couldn't believe it. I said "not my rule coach, we got an email from the state this very day about these". I fully understand why players don't wear them on their wrists, they're hot and uncomfortable. The coach told everyone to put them in their back pockets, right next to their sliding mitt . I'd love to hear the rationale, but it seems that since the NFHS Governing Board decided back in 2010 that these can be worn on the wrist, that it's now etched in stone and we can't change it - even if it makes sense to do so. ... apparently I can still be amazed, or perhaps perplexed is a better word here. "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help." Ronald Reagan said these were the nine most terrifying words in the English language.

@Thunderheadssold. Lock it up please.

This would be a cheaper route than trying to locate and buy an actual new AS MAG TG - if you could fine one. I think the last few were $60+ whereas this would be under $45 after taxes and shipping. I just sent mine off to Tony (Mask-It) today for a fresh coat.

I bought a mask off eBay (sold already) just because I wanted the throat guard. It's what I thought was an All Star MAG TG, but on closer inspection after receiving it - I think I found something odd. I think the previous owner took an old catcher's mask and cut the front part off and made his own TG from it! Two things stood out to me immediately on receiving it. One, the TG is noticeably heavier than the MAG version which I've owned before. Two, it has a double-bar at the top of it that the normal one didn't have, but guess what does have two bars on the top... the HSM (MVP 2500). The more I look at it, the more I am convinced someone cut the front off an old MVP 2500 HSM and made it into their TG. Here are the pics, let me know what you think.... if anyone has a MAG this may be a good route for them to follow since AS isn't making these anymore. The pic above is the actual TG made by AS (courtesy of EPIC Sports - no longer for sale though). This picture above is the actual TG I received from my purchase on eBay. Finally, this pic is the front of the MVP 2500 HSM by All Star. Notice the top bar is doubled? The shape is just a bit different from the MAG TG also. I think the TG I have in my hands is steel, not magnesium. I'd say it weighs closer to a Spyder than the old featherweight AS MAG, which I actually want. I like my TG's to stay low, so avoid super light ones that blow in the wind and clink all game. I prefer it to hang straight down and stay in place as it allows me to believe it will stop that 57-footer that the pitcher just spiked.

@Thunderheads lock it up please. Thanks

Good condition S/M Wilson Gold, too small for me to use. Free shipping within the cont USA Asking $65 shipped obo

Up for sale is a very nice (sold to me as new, but has a scuff or two) Diamond pewter/tan color umpire mask with new/almost new Team Wendy pads. This would make a really nice hot weather mask! Pads alone are $42 now from UA and the frame normally goes for close to $100 - get a deal and buy from me. FREE shipping within the cont. USA.

As a parent, I'd give feedback to AD and let them pass it on. As a peer, I'd gently approach and discuss. Sounds like he is very new, so I'd focus on safety things first - and then possibly work on techniques for seeing & tracking pitches better afterwards. Most umpires don't accept being approached by parents very well. I'm not arguing for or against why, but they'll usually be on their guard if anyone they don't know approaches them. When you get sniped at during games, then you don't expect good news when someone approaches you afterwards. But please do provide honest and specific feedback. As much as it can hurt sometimes, good feedback on our performance is how we improve and get better. Without feedback, we just keep doing the same things over and over.

And here's JomBoy's take on it. He's got nothing from JT to instigate anything. It really looks like the umpire misread JT's glove drop.

You may be right, but I truly feel this is one he would like to have back. It smacks of over-reaction from a young umpire trying to get to the next level. An old, confident veteran might laugh that one off with JT, but he (no doubt desiring to show his poise and confidence in all situations) decided to show that no one is going to make him look foolish. We'll probably never know the full spin on what happened, but if words were spoken then I'd watch for a video from JomBoy. He's a good lip-reader and can tell you if anyone said anything or not.