Velho

I second and third this on shins. I went from spending just a little to start with low-end Diamond but got tired off too little coverage. Overcompensated with Wilson Platinum and now went to the Force 3. Don't feel like I'm wearing anything plus the padding and design is so good I don't need to wear tights or long socks. Strap over mid-calf socks only with no issues. Helped eliminate another layer and keep cool.

I find this interesting from a process perspective (a big part of what I do for a living) there is a room for improvement (ok, a lot of room). Better adhesive on the stickers they use, take photographs & capture serial number from the manufacturer sticker during testing for example. Either it has a proper sticker or it doesn't. Once it was identified, how can the umpire ignore it? They seem to have enforced the penalty by rule. This seems very straightforward with the current ruleset. Good lesson for Beck (and others) to be diligent. Maybe immediately taking the bat and sticker to umps would have resolved the issue before the game started. That kind of diligence will serve them well in in baseball and beyond - which is what we should be most worried about for 99.9999%+ of all players, imo.

From this article https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/other-sports/2022/04/02/jordan-beck-illegal-bat-tennessee-baseball-vanderbilt-mike-honcho/7243998001/ "Beck was called out for using an illegal bat without the required sticker indicating it was tested and approved for use in Tennessee’s series against Vanderbilt. Beck and Vols coach Tony Vitello explained the sticker came off during batting practice at Hawkins Field before Tennessee’s 6-2 win." The umpires convened and examined the bat before calling Beck out. "In pre-series bat testing, a sticker with the logo of the opposing team is placed on legal bats," SEC associate commissioner for communications Herb Vincent said in a statement to Knox News. "There was a sticker on the bat in question, but it was not an appropriate sticker on the bat. It was a sticker from a midweek game. Therefore, the bat was deemed illegal.”

If that upsets you, I advise not looking at anything else the Savannah Bananas have going 🤣

Great minds think a like

Completely agree with all said as any rational person would. Not that it needs to be said, but add it on to reasons for dwindling umpire numbers. I'm 6'3 215 pounds (at least that's what my drivers license says ). I don't doubt that influences how aggressive some coaches would get with me. I'm focused enough on doing a good job without worrying too much about my physical safety. I can imagine that may creep into the head of those smaller (not to mention female). This is also a reason in do 95% of my games at my local LL. I know a lot of the board members and coaches either off the field or from repeatedly doing their games.

Nope. Was curious others thoughts since.. Thanks.

How much do you think the batter's tantrum over not getting time on the first pitch contributed to the 3rd strike call?

Ha! Only if they recognize you

I have seen first hand how they compromise player safety (OF throwing up from dehydration in 112F heat and remaining in the game - but hey he'll be a 1st round draft pick!). I now understand more why the umpires didn't step in.

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Same as NCAA you can be in the act of fielding 👍 For completeness: Except for LL (which is OBR based) where you can't block at all without the ball.

and OBR Can you clarify what you mean? "and OBR" meaning same as NCAA or same as FED?

Tip of the cap to @BLWizzRanger... You start sentences with "'In my judgement"

100. I have somehow become blind to stickers and sharpie on helmets. It's the damnest thing.

I've newly switched to this https://www.diamondmma.com I liked the nutty buddy but could never get the right fit with jocks, compression shorts, etc. This works so well I wear the jock w/ integrated cup holder and my base pants. No longer any compression shorts, second jock, or tights. Going to Force3 shins that fit great over bare skin helped. This was I'm as cool on hot days as possible.

Was he even wearing a cup? Hope he's ok.

I'd argue it's a distinction without a difference. Anytime after the PU goes "play", if the pitcher is "astride the pitcher's plate" without the ball that's "a balk by rule coach". That said, I've seen the prolonged discussions here and am not interested in rehashing it. I was offering an explicit rule citation for OBR reference if folks found it useful, that's all.

Agreed and that is explicitly a balk. End of story. OBR 6.02 Pitcher Illegal Action (a) Balks If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when: (9) The pitcher, without having the ball, stands on or astride the pitcher’s plate or while off the plate, he feints a pitch;

imo he didn't do everything he could have to get out of the way. He turned his back to avoid possibility of severe damage and the way he moved was natural. Did he hope it would hit him? Yes. Did he insure it would? No. If that's the NCAA rule, then so be it. Demanding the batter to dance, hit the deck, or run away screaming seems silly to me. The pitcher screwed up and put the pitch entirely in the box. Batter wants to take the pain for the base, let him. Seems to me the other codes have it right.

100% I often (intentionally) impatiently tell them to throw it back to pitcher. My UICs' favorite quote: "The ball has to be in play to get outs"

I can imagine what the JV will be doing for 5-10 minutes at their next practice.

What codes is the Not doubting but curious: in what rulesets is that illegal?

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