Bigdog

Hey all, Ah, I see... you have to watch them managers and coaches 'cuz the are sneaky like the rats they are named after! HAHA! Bigdog:cool:

Hey all, You definitely have an IFF, maybe....here's my reasoning: An IFF is to be called at the apex of the fly. If, at that point, an infielder can make the catch with normal effort(Judgment), the I have an IFF. IF I think that the infielder would have to run, not jog, or dive to make the play, NO IFF, NO WAY. Bigdog:cool:

Hey all, Here's my short list: 1) All of them 2) Rules that are between the covers of the book, AND 3) Ones printed in ink! Seriously, the rule myths is a good place to start. Obs vs. Int is good, what constitutes a swing/checked swing, number of offensive TO's per inning, depending on the level of play...BALKS, and how to appeal a play. Again, seriously! One question I would ask the coaches is why must the LEADOFF batter of every half inning feels they HAVE TO get signs from the third base coach before he/she steps into the box?;) Bigdog:cool:

Hey all, Good EJ, but why did you resume the game before the coach was out of sight and sound? Then if he comes back you get can really irritate him by telling him that if he doesn't leave immediately, he could cost his team a forfeit. Bigdog:cool:

Hey all, One thing that I have noticed about YOUTH pitching: the worse they can throw and get a strike, the worse they will throw.....wait...never mind the YOUTH part, ANY Pitcher will adjust or the manager/coach will end up pulling them when they reach their pitch count. Someone on the team has to be able to throw straight. Bigdog:cool:

Hey all, UIC, in #8 you said Blue team coach continually argues your strike zone. I don't care if this was T-Ball, TOSS THE RAT!! I would give him a warning on the first occurrence, and the old heave-ho on the second one. The is no excuse for a RAT to get away with continually arguing the strike zone. WOW, glad the second game went smoother than the first. I am glad to see that your commissioner has your back, it sounds like the league director has no clue about what really went on. Forget about him, he is NOTHING if he is going to attack you like that based on the sayings of the losing manager without any input from the winning manager. It sounds like your line of thinking may be correct, the LD might have a connection with the blue team, OR he might be just as clueless as the others. Oh, well, carry on..... Bigdog:cool:

Hey all, 1. ALL RATS WILL READ AND UNDERSTAND THE RULE BOOK! 2. ALL RATS WILL KEEP THEIR MOUTHS SHUT UNTIL #1 IS DONE! 3. Even then, ALL RATS WILL SPEAK ONLY WHEN SPOKEN TO! Yeah, that's the way it should be!! Bigdog:cool:

Hey all, That's about as bad as a rule interpretation by Joe Morgan or Tim He-who-shall-not-be-named!! Bigdog:cool:

Hey all, I tried that ONCE, turns out the coach was lying anyway . Once people get to know me, they realize that I am anything but "PC". Bigdog:cool:

Hey all, Let's make sure I read this correctly... F4 makes a BAD throw that goes into the dugout that home team player picks up IN THE DUGOUT... Ground rules don't have this as a dead ball when the ball goes into the dugout, i.e. BEFORE the touch? If the ball was dead BEFORE the touch by the player by going into a DBT, runner scores and BR on second. Bigdog:cool:

Hey all, GREAT! There goes the neighborhood!:rolleyes: Bigdog:cool:

Hey all, Anticipating a play is GOOD:D, anticipating a RESULT of that play is BAD:mad: Bigdog:cool:

Hey all, I understand the reasoning behind the creeping, i.e., so you don't get caught flat footed or with your weight on your heels. I personally don't care for it. YMMV. Bigdog:cool:

Hey all, Welcome away from the dark side!! Bigdog:cool:

Hey all, I have NEVER kicked a call! The scorebooks agree with every call I have ever made!!:rolleyes: Bigdog:cool:

Hey all, The way I see it, if a fielder blocks ANY of the base without the ball, he is guilty of obstruction. Bigdog:cool:

Hey all, I think that it might be necessary base a base ump to carry a plate brush if you do a game with break away bases. Never for use on a pitching rubber! (If in doubt, make a call and the pitcher will keep it very clean!) Bigdog:cool:

Hey all, I prefer traditional style masks over HSM. Heat retention, ear ringing, etc... I wear a Honig's K-82 and love it! Bigdog:cool:

Hey all, I prefer a three dial, have a second one for a backup. I will use a four dial in case of emergency. I have two of these for backups to the backup. I prefer large metal (large hands) with oversized numbers(easier to see discretely). Bigdog:cool:

Hey all, I use a Honig's K-82 mask and, with the possible exception of a resin mask, it is the lightest mask I have held. That includes +Pos, Wilson, Mizuno and others. The All-Star I bar is a close second. PLEASE, don't even consider a resin mask because there are too many potential safety hazards with them. Bigdog:cool:

Hey all, FRANK DREBBIN LIVES!!!! Also, if your shin guards are outside you pants. Bigdog:cool:

I think the holding the bat out over the plate and not pulling back is one of those baseball rules myths that keeps being propagated by cretins who can't read the rule book or are too lazy to read it or too stupid to have comprehended what they read. I had it in a NCAA D2 weekend series recently. Wasn't a big deal but I had to tell a coach that holding the bat out without moving it at the pitch was not offering at the pitch. Unless, of course, the coaches are trying to pull a fast one on an unenlightened umpire? (Naw, a coach would never do that and a college level umpire would know that rule, right?) Had a former ML player arguing with me at a 13U game. B1 squares and gets hit in the shins by a FB in the middle of the batters box. DHC wanted me to call a strike and keep the hitter in the box because he didn't pull the bat back. I couldn't understand what he was complaining about because I didn't get that he thought the batter was required to pull back rather then offer.

Hey all, My first cp that I purchased was one from Itech. I figured if the company makes things that can stop a hockey puck, a baseball should be no problem. After that mistake, I purchased my Pro-Nine, and enjoyed it until I got hit in the side pads and in the break points. Then I started to work in an adult mens league and went with a hard shell. I put the Pro-Nine in the bag and haven't used it since. Count it as the cost of two cp's that I didn't need to buy. My advice is to get the most protection you can afford the first time, or the second time if you already own one that you are looking to replace. Saves money and bruises in the long run. My current cp is a V-Sport UPRO-17 hard shell. I picked it up at @ $80 before shipping. I could have went with the WVP or WVG, but neither one would fit my body without leaving ribs exposed. For reference, I'm 6'4" and 280lbs. The 17" cp I have offers me the best protection for the size I am, without leaving parts of me exposed. I know guys who have and love their WV products, but they are all smaller than I am. IMHO, the Pro-Nine should go past the LL majors level. Bigdog:cool:

Hey all, Wally, I know there have been some people that have used the Pro-Nine into college level ball with no problems. I can't be one of the people that recommend that cp, or the Champion for that level. I would suggest/urge you to stick with a more "traditional" design of hard shell protector. The most important thing is protection, and I know that the higher level the game is played, the less you get hit since the catchers are better, but the pitchers also throw harder and when you get hit, you will NEED that protection more. I do predominantly, for now, LL and BR, maybe next year moving into HS, but I will not use anything except my hard shell. Bigdog:cool:

Hey all, Wally, I own and use to use the Pro-Nine cp. It looks like the same as the Champion, just with a different brand on it. The Honig's K1 looks like it is a bit more sturdy/protective/rugged through the body area, but close throughout the shoulder and clavicle areas. What level do you umpire at? What level are you trying to get to? This would be helpful to know before I would recommend one of these or not. Bigdog:cool: