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https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/617HILTnqgL._AC_SL1000_.jpg I've seen a couple of MLB guys using these All-Star frames with various pads. I already have the All-Star magnesium, just wondering how the view/feel compares.

Personally I like John Gallante. He has a few good cage videos, along with mic'd up instruction videos.

Is this still available? Also what color are the pads?

Anybody know how they do their umpires on old timers day? It is a 4 man crew but they're not MLB guys considering they take the mask off with two hands and they don't wear numbers. I do like the added detail of the Rennert stance behind the plate though Picture from 2019.

Ok so keep it more discreet, got it. Sounds like a less confrontational option. Yep, Fairfax County.

Ok, I guess I thought it was a bigger problem than it was. If it does get to something personal, for example "Hey blue, do something," should that be addressed directly to the fans or ignored like any other quips from the stands? Is there ever a point where you should address the spectators personally? Thanks for the advice.

Thanks for the advice, I've never had this situation before so I didn't really know the best way to go about it. Would it be better to talk to the coach right away or wait between innings?

Here's what happened: 12U Little League game with the home team crushing the other team pretty hard. A lot of pass balls and stealing home. One voice from the crowd says something like "You gonna just keep letting them run coach?" A couple minutes go by with another pass ball and same voice says something along the lines of "Have some class, tell your guys to stop running." After the play was over, I call time and address the away spectators and say "You cannot talk about the opposing teams coach, we're not doing that." The coach came out and asked what I said to the fans and I told him, and he said he'd keep an eye on the parents. They kept ragging on me throughout the game, but there was nothing else towards the other coach from what I could hear besides some groans. Anything I should've done different? Keep in mind I could not see who was saying it but it was the same voice, and I'm still in high school so I'm not really the most intimidating person, though I try and put on my "stern face" and voice lol.

I do youth baseball so I've only seen about 2 homers in my couple seasons umpiring. Should a homerun mechanic be done every time one is hit, or is it just on a close ball near the edge or maybe a close fair/foul? I'm talking about the spinning finger pointed straight up, but if there's a different mechanic let me know. Thanks.

I was in a zoom call with Jordan Baker over the winter and he mentioned that he doesn't use an indicator. I've seen him take it out before an AB and then just put it in the ballbag, so that probably contributed to this.

Nice! I have the deerskin and have been wanting to try out the LUC so now I can.

Wish we could still have the red blazers!

Interesting to see the differences in today's world of umpiring. Hall of Fame Umpire Nestor Chylak with mechanics they would tell you not to do today! Interesting how much his head moves on every pitch, especially this one here: Do you think umpiring has gotten better or have things just changed?

So let's say the batter hits a home run, no one on base, and rounding the bases he misses home. A few questions about appeals. 1. If the batter has gone into the dugout, can he come back onto the field to touch home plate? 2. If he does do that and the catcher notices that he did not touch the plate, can he tag the runner out (and would he have to announce to the umpire that it is an appeal)?

Good to know, thanks.

Ok sorry I should have explained this better. On the uncaught third (which I initially thought was caught), right after the pitch is thrown, catcher throws down to third to pick off the kid there. Field umpire calls it out, so I think ok, batter is out there on the strikeout, and r3 out on the pickoff which ended the inning. The kids had left the field when the offensive manager comes to argue that it was a dropped third, I talk with my field umpire and he said yes it was. This is little league and he was 15 maybe so communication isn't the best. We get the kids back on the field, continuing with 2 outs now. The runner who made it to first safely on the UK3 steals his way to 3rd, where he is eventually caught in a rundown and awarded home on obstruction. Hope that wasn't more confusing than before.

Rundown between 3rd and home.

12u little league game tonight, kid strikes out, I didn't realize it was a dropped third until my partner came and told me. Kids were already off the field so had to start back up again with 2 outs. There was a tag play at 3rd so I guess that distracted everyone for a while about challenging the dropped 3rd. So that wasn't a great look, 1st pitch catcher throws down to try and get r2 stealing 3rd, gets into a pickle, then obstruction happens and I have to call that to give him home. Man that defensive coach was not happy. Ever have situations where sh*t just seems to pile up like that?

Maybe this is just because I'm newer, this is my second season, but when I'm calling a game and there's 2 strikes, I constantly tell myself "Ok, two strikes, don't forget to ring him up if it's a strike, could be dropped third." I try to do this so I don't look dumb in case I forget the count or improperly call the batter out on a dropped third. Anyone else do this or does it become natural eventually?

Yep. I'm not allowed to in my umpire association but in just the LL they allow it. With a mask on of course.

Is it practical to use older strike mechanics nowadays? For example the Jerry Crawford hand-into-fist mechanic. I really like how these look and wondering if it would look out of place in current umpiring. Let me know your favorite mechanics of older umpires too!

I don't have a problem with it. It's easier, I don't take any flack from coaches or fans because they know it's weird, and I still get paid the same. It's challenging and different, but it keeps our minds sharp. Plus I can just work a little league game with a mask on and they let me crouch behind the plate normally. So I honestly don't have an issue with it.

So the standard one definitely won't fit? That's a shame. Thanks for the info though!

I am upgrading from a Wilson steel to an All-Star magnesium and like the look of the sun visor, just wondering if it will work with the All star. Also, have you found any use for the visor aside from looks? I like the look but realize it does literally nothing over the brim of a hat that I can tell.

I've umpired for 1 full season with the West Vest, and while it has protected me from some shots, it's never been truly comfortable. It will never sit flat against my chest, leaving some space, and the shoulders never seem to sit snug on my shoulders despite adjustment, this makes it slide around and uncomfortable, plus the shoulder pads looking gigantic and hard to get a shirt on and off. It rubs against my neck a good amount as well. I've heard that an aftermarket harness helps, but is it that significant? Really want to be more comfortable and slimmer looking this season. I'm 6'0 if that helps.