JamesC

I just placed an order for a pair of the Manzella Trekker gloves. Anyone used these? And if so, what do you think about them?

Warren, I believe when you get a question about a product and choose to reply, instead of putting the correct address, such as "johndoe@aol.com" in the "To" field, it puts "Tojohndoe@aol.com" because when you click the link which says something like, "Reply to John Doe", it places an invalid address in the corresponding field, adding the word "To" to the address. I don't know if that makes sense, but just thought I would let you know so you could take a look at it...

They make jackets without the bottom strip (the bottom is left open) that are made for the plate, so I'm guessing they are sized for the plate as well, fullcount.

I wasn't sure if this would go under the "Equipment" section or under another section, so please correct me if I am wrong. I need to get a couple jackets. I currently have a black one with the white inserts, but the stripes on the inserts are probably only about 1/4" and do not match the Honig's jackets, as their stripes are about 1/2" or maybe even 3/4". To some this may not matter, but to me it is noticeable. I am 1) curious if you guys would agree. Do you think the size difference of the stripes matter, or do you think it is irrelevant? And 2) I am curious how you guys feel about the Smitty jackets vs. the Honig's jackets. I know the Honig's jackets are supposedly of higher quality and all, but is it that much of a difference? Have any of you owned both or tried on both?

I, too, only wear one bag. However, I have recently purchased 2 new bags from Jim and am going to give it a shot at wearing 2 ball bags. I keep my lineup cards in my shirt pocket, brush in the ball bag, and indicator in there as well in between innings. I hate things in my pockets, so I absolutely never keep anything (including brush or indicator) in any of my pockets. I don't know what it is, perhaps the bulge of something being in my pocket. On a side not, while we're talking about ball bags, has anyone ever seen someone wearing a ball bag in the field? I have never personally seen this, but each year at our association meetings our asssignor has to address the situation because someone has done that before. I don't see how anyone could be so crazy as to think this is normal, but I thought it was rather funny!

Same here. Mine is James Callender

I just ordered two new pair of pants from Honig's. The Athletic Cut Plate and Base pants. I like both pair. However, the plate pants seem huge to me. Not the waist size, but the bagginess of the legs. Now I know they are overly large to allow for the protective gear, and I respect that. But I wonder if a pair of combos would be suitable as the plate pants, since they wouldn't be quite as baggy. All in all, I am extremely satisfied with the quality of the pants, and could not be more pleased. I am anxious to see what others have to say. EDIT: I would still have a separate pair of base pants for the bases, no doubt. Just curious if anyone has ever taken the combos as your option for plate pants.

So this situation does in fact require a dead ball, correct? What would be an instance where the runner not being hit would declare interference?

FED rules. I believe outs and runners are irrelevant. BR either a) hits a slow roller fielded by the pitcher swings and misses strike 3 in the dirt, which is blocked up by the catcher or c) hits a slow roller to the 3rd baseman which field the ball and throw to 1st base to record the out. However, once the runner has reached the 45' mark, he is not in the runner's lane. Does the throw have to make contact with the BR for this to be interference? I don't think it really matters with a, b, or c. I was just providing difference scenarios. And when interference is called, is it an immediate dead ball, or is it a delayed dead ball? I'm pretty sure it's immediate, I just don't want to be that fool that comes out hollering "DEAD BALL" when in fact, I should have waited.

That's what I couldn't understand. Last year the test had 100 questions on it too. I don't know why they knocked it down to just 50 this year for us...

Our FED test was administered online. We had 60 minutes to answer 50 questions. You guys that get to take them in writing are pretty lucky. When online, you have to deal with all the technical difficulties the programs have. It's quite a hassle!

That's the way I have always believed it to be, therefore agreeing with the two of you. However, I always think back to a softball tournament (slowpitch) of which I was playing in when I was about 13. I had the ball in my hand and dove for 2nd base and touched it with my glove. Granted, these umpires are just people out of the stand, but for some reason I still think about it. Anyways, he called the guy safe because I touched it with my glove, while the ball was in my hand. I was irate now, emphasizing that I don't have to put the ball on the top of my show to get an out at first base, therefore it shouldn't have to be in my glove for a force out. Oh well, I just wanted to make sure. Thanks guys!

If a field has a ball in his hand, there is a force, and he touches the base with their glove, is this still an out? Just wanting to clear some things up. Also, if there is any way you could provide some sort of proof, perhaps from the rules book or a case book, I would appreciate it. Oh yea...:bang:

I agree. However, I have always called then signaled; but I would like to do it the correct way. What do the umpire schools teach? Reason I am asking is because I am going to an umpire clinic in a couple weeks, and the guy in charge of it is in charge of umpires for the surrounding colleges. I spoke to him directly on the phone and he emphasized that he was in need of quality umpires in the area because he was having to draw out of surrounding areas (which are much farther) to get quality umpires. I feel that if I could impress the guys there, I might could get my foot in the door and do some lower college ball (JUCO and the such) in the near future. Never know, I guess we'll just see how it goes...

I've been practicing my mechanics in front of a mirror, and I was curious how you guys call your strikes. Do you "call" and then "signal", or do you do both simultaneously?

I agree with Warren! This guy should be done away with indefinitely! He shouldn't be allowed back on a diamond!

I guess those may work. I bought one from WalMart, cause it was cheap, and the thing just doesn't seem to fit quite right. Not the size of the strap itself, but the NB was larger than the supporter part, and it was more so above my "stuff" rather than protecting it. I figured it was because it was some off brand, and knew that Shock Doctor is a reputable brand in this field, and thought I would give them a try. I was looking for the supporter that is sold with the Carbon Cup. I don't know though, since they're not too expensive, I guess I can give another brand a try and see how I like it.

I wear a size 11.5 in regular tennis shoes (I wear UnderArmour and Nike) and I bought a regular size 11.5 in the Reebok Plate and Base Shoes. Mine fit just like my regular tennis shoes do. Hope this helps!

Does anyone know where and if I can get just the supporter? I don't want/need the cup. I am looking for a good supporter to use with my nuttybuddy.

We got a copy of the FED Rulesbook and the Illustrated Book at our first meeting. The Illustrated Book is actually quite helpful, as stated previously, especially for the beginners. You almost feel like a kid reading some of the stuff lol But it is a lot easier to understand since sometimes the terminology can seem tricky. In that case, the pictures pretty much sum it all up.

Agreed! It does appear that the protection will be second to none! Just going from the New Balance to these, I guess it just seems a little odd. I'm sure it will grow on me.

You're talking about the tongue, I'm referring to the steel flap though.

I just received my Reebok plate shoes and a pair of Reebok base shoes from ump-attire. I actually love the base shoes and could not ask for anything more. I think they look great, and love that the flap is velcro and can be easily removed. With the plate shoes, though, the protective flap is a bit wide, and looks funny. If anyone else has these, do you agree? Do they wear in eventually and not look so funny. I did try them on with a pair of regular gym pants (the kind with the zipper at the bottom of the leg), but I don't think that is the entire reason they looked funny. I still like the look of them, and think I am going to love the turf traction on the bottom. Just curious if anyone else who owned a pair may have thought the same thing.

So, if I am reading this right, and I truly think I am, what you are saying is that it is definitely worth holding off on ordering a couple more shirts until February? I am so glad you informed me of this, cause I was only about 5 days away from ordering from Honig's! Maybe I can field test a couple of the new colors haha Thanks a lot Jim and to your staff as well! I done business with you guys over the phone the other day for the first time, and cannot speak well enough about you guys!

I guess we're just way behind down here. They have made it mandatory that we wear heather grey and ONLY heather grey when we call ball. I wish we could update and get some decent pants. Only problem, my association would lose a lot of members because all the older guys wouldn't swing for getting some new pants. I've seen some guys with faded walmart pants that have a couple holes in them! It's pathetic! And when you say something about it, the automatic response is, "I can't afford new gear. There's nothing wrong with these anyway!" Hell, I'm a college student paying my own bills AND tuition. If I can pay tuition and still afford to get new gear when it is needed, then so can these people working full time jobs! Oh well, I just wish we could move on to the charcoal!