umpstu

These are high school kids. Let them have their fun if it's not harming anybody. Had a kid last Friday with the initials of a recently deceased classmate in his eye black, a trajic case of the classmate driving while intoxicated. A small school, close class. The jewelry rule, really have a hard time tossing a kid for wearing an I love boobies wrist band. My dog has gas and it is killing me. GROSS!!!!!!!!!

Ordered the Under Armours anyway. Will buy a new pair of base shoes during the winter anyway.

Amen on all comments.

I wear NB 696 turf shoes and the NB base shoes the MLB umpires wear. Also wear the NB plate shoes. I love white on the shoes. Just ordered a pair of Under Armour baseball yard trainers after I found out that they were actually true to size. I try to get new base shoes every year as the old dogs take a beating. Your feet deserve for you to spend at least $70.00 a year to take care of them.

Ok. My partner today wears the Force 3 and he wasn't hit.

What was the cheap shot?

Wow. Somebody is taking these games seriously.

Never umpired out of the country, but want to respond to the learning tool comment. I love that. I feel the same way and that if you don't have that attitude get out of the game. I am fortunate to be able to work with a whole bunch of Div 1 umpires and they try to learn and perfect their game each time out. And I am talking about CWS umpires. Keep up that attitude.

I got out of the Navy after four years, decided I didn't want to do the same thing every day and start at the bottom of the barrel for minimum wage. I was back in after a couple of years and retired in 1995. Missed my kids so much I almost got out after 15 years. Luckily I met my current wife and she talked me into sucking it up for the rest of my career. Although I hated most of the latter part of my career, it sure is nice to have that pension and medical insurance. Believe me, I know what you're feeling. Now I need to find a job that won't interfere with my umpiring.

JC game today. Hit in the fat muscle. Never hit on the Force 3, because of previously noted force shield that Unequal does not advertise. When will I take a serious hit to the Force 3? Damn.

Think it's a very good idea.

You be quiet.

Really good video. Especially the part about having soft hands. Just receive the ball and throw it back to the pitcher. If you're pushing and pulling, then you are telling everybody in the yard that it is a ball.

I have the Oakley Black iridium lenses that I use all the time in the field. I do however take them off if skies are overcast. I may have to look into the VR28 lense. I don't wear sunglasses to call the plate. Maybe I should, but I have not tried them under my mask as of yet to determine how well they stay on when taking the mask off. I don't want to damage a $180 pair of sunglasses. I use Oakleys under my mask and have yet had to push them up onto the bridge of my nose. They stay in place better than any other brand I have used.

May the force be with you. I too, was endowed with the repellent today and refused to be hit. Just keep the solar panels charged properly.

The delta flex harness is awesome

You still need to point out and call the obstruction immediately in Fed. You just wait to call time until the play is over. Then award the BR first base. With the current year deletion of the Fed obstruction signal (left arm extended horizontal), and the Fed's explanation, I didn't read anything that indicated the Pro (and I think NCAA) mechanic where you would point and call obstruction. Actually our State interpreter gave his annual update and although he didn't say not to do the point and call mechanic, he simply stated that all you do now is wait until the play is over and then call Time and make the appropriate award. I assume the coaches and in particular the DC will ask for an explanation. Has this change been discussed within your associations or at the State level. Personally, I like the point and call it mechanic. Just because it is a delayed dead ball doesn't mean you don't call obstruction right away. Absolutely you point and call it right away, protect the runner to where you feel he would have got had there been no obstruction. In this case, first base.

I like having the base guys take all fair/foul when there's a potential play at the plate - like this play. As far as the play at the plate: Just stay on the catcher's glove arm and he'll take you to the play. Well, someone got it right here. When I work three man we even pregame that very situation when the PU is blocked out by a runner coming home and the catcher on the line. That was a good call. And the suggestion about getting closer? What? So it can explode on him like it did. The glove arm is correct. Good call. When I say good call I don't mean the one in the video.

Don't be "that guy" in your class, but your instructors should have you taking all plays from 3BLX. There's more to it, but starting there is an excellent place to be as you continue learning. Why would you want to take all plays 3BLX?

I like having the base guys take all fair/foul when there's a potential play at the plate - like this play. As far as the play at the plate: Just stay on the catcher's glove arm and he'll take you to the play. Well, someone got it right here. When I work three man we even pregame that very situation when the PU is blocked out by a runner coming home and the catcher on the line. That was a good call. And the suggestion about getting closer? What? So it can explode on him like it did. The glove arm is correct. Good call.

Good for him. It isn't as if umpiring doesn't take a toll on the body, especially if you do it full time.

I have an easier time listening to John Bible and tend to agree with his philosophies, especially the don't go digging for buggers theory.

Maybe at a lower level, I wouldn't know as I rarely work anything below high school varsity. I can tell you with absolute certainly that I can accurately judge an MLB breaking ball on TV from my living room from EXACTLY the same angle that I would when looking from behind the pitcher's mound if I were on the field. That's a bold statement since the placement of the camera severely distorts the view of the pitch, depending on placement.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQfLAR0Fy7g But he said it with absolute, 100%, you're an idiot if you disagree with him, certainty!!!! Received this video, or another similar one, a couple of years ago from the staff of a college association I am a part of. I don't think you get a very good up or down view from behind the pitcher either. Not arguing about it, just stating my opinion.

I can appreciate Carl's experience and opinion, but very much disagree with his box vs slot theories. In his description of how to stand in the box position an umpire seems to have to be leaning over the top of catcher to see him catch the pitch or he would be looking through the catcher's head. Whereas in a properly positioned umpire working the slot has a great view of the whole pitch, including the catch. And teaching new umpires to call both balls and strikes while still down and the signalling a strike with the arm is not right. Verbalizing the strike at the same time as the physical signal is one of the things to differentiate a ball and strike. These are just my opinion, so don't hack my computer with some type of flu virus if you are not in agreement. ha