umpstu

You are the right age to attend. Make sure you are in top shape. They don't pick any fat boys for pro umpiring.

You still have time to get a delta harness by All- Star. You might find it hard to clip with the stock harness and you will not find that with the delta. I love my Unequal. It sits high and doesn't move or need to be adjusted. I have seen people wearing them and you can't tell they are using a chest protector. May the force be with you.

I had the opportunity to work the Cape Cod League from 1998-2000 and the Bourne Braves had a field that had the sun sit behind the pitcher. We had to stop the game every time because there was no way we were able to see the pitch coming at us. Remember, it's a game with human beings. SAFETY!

And they just don't look right in either situation

Dude, I don't know if you realized it, but your chest protector has a red mark in the exact same spot that you were hit? That is scary. ha

WWWAAAHHHHHH

Jim, I've always enjoyed doing business with you guys. Have found it to be very professional and accommodating. And I will really enjoy the NB plate shoes that I won in your fb giveaway. Had a fellow umpire order from a company in Branson and had to wait a month to receive an update on his late order. I don't believe that would ever happen with you guys and I will not hesitate to continue referring UMPATTIRE to all of my fellow umpires. Keep up the great job.

Track, track, track. Also, who is the manufacturer of your catcher's gloves. Could help you track better.

Umpire needs to go. Man, if you can't handle someone speaking a foreign language in the game of baseball, get out of baseball. It's a world wide game for God's sake and that is one of the reasons it is so great. And thank you for posting this. I hadn't seen it yet.

I will usually tell the catcher to let the coach know it was either in or out. The coach can see up and down. After the catcher tells him, I will then tell the catcher if I felt I missed it. I will then proceed to start cussing at myself for screwing up a call and it generally gets a response from the catcher to take it easy on myself. They like to know you care and will bear down so as to not miss those pitches. As far as 50/50 on a ball strike, that is akin to screaming ball on a pitch that is close to the strike zone. Why sell a ball when you can call a strike? I try not to change the level of volume of my ball call, no matter how close to the plate. It's a ball, you saw it. Ho hum. How boring. Throw a strike so I can get a little more animated behind the plate.

And I would make sure they are good and tight so they don't move around and rub you.

Was the right thing to do. Was very surprised and happy that they got together on this one.

Experience will teach you when and how to use your voice. Obvious calls on the bases and obvious fly ball outs, no verbal. Verbalize all strikes and balls the same way. (some will say be louder on a close ball) I'm trying to call strikes on my close ball calls. Close plays & odd plays should have a loud verbal attached to the signal. Others will certainly chime in on this thread and likely disagree. So read all of the post and filter what you think you'll use. I suggest not changing your ball call no matter how close the pitch. If it is that close that you have to sell it, better to sell a strike. I also call every strike and every ball. It's a good practice and helps with tracking and timing. I call each safe and out, increasing the volume as they get closer. On fair/foul if it is obvious, nothing. I increase the volume the closer a foul ball gets towards the line.

I had a talk with an athletic director last year and reminded him that while his coaches were being the ass, the umpire is a brother, son, dad, uncle, etc. and there just might be people at the game to watch him work.

Wish I had something more to add to the conversation, but again I did not get hit in my Force 3. On another note, I did get hit in the face mask which was using Team Wendy pads. Piece of cake.

If he throws some part of his body into the pitch, by all means keep him there. A good rule of thumb, did the pitched ball hit him or did he hit the pitched ball?

Like these: Same problem, same shoes, except I think they have too much bla Way too much black for my taste. Oh and I'm sure these are so tough to clean, too.

At that level, nobody should ever "come unglued" Good reminder why I despise working youth baseball. (not a knock on youth baseball, it is just very difficult to work due to poor coach/fan conduct) I hdespise hobby coaches. Always call infield fly. If your partner is stuttering around and forgets to call it that doesn't mean you shouldn't call it. You may not be able to see fair/foul, but you can certainly see ordinary effort by an infielder.

Hi, I'm Umpstu and I like white on my shoes, Force 3 and TW mask pads.

Was the plate dusted?

It's a rule, that's why. I won't let any player on any level be on the field during pregame, period. High school, college or pro. In the dugout or bullpen.

I have been using the All Star system Seven for this season. Today, I sold them and let me tell you why. Granted they have this ventilation pads and all, but that is at the expense of protection in my opinion. I was hit by a fast ball in my left shin earlier this season and it hurt like hell. Ok, it's just a fluke. A month later I take another shot to the shin. It hurt like hell. I switched from the Wilsons which I had never experienced that pain in 12 years. I ordered the Wilsons again today. I know, I am a wimp. Yes. But I won't be a crying wimp.

I have back issues and it never seemed to matter which stance. I would recommend not working as many games during a tournament.

I think Smittys are good on the basebs, but the sewn in cup holder sucks in my opinion. The McDavids are awesome, especially the floating cup holder. It does a great job of covering your kapiscatallys when you squat behind the catcher.

Not sure if this has been posted yet, but everytime I buy new glasses, I take my mask to check if I will have some issues. They can be too big.