Nate

Hey everyone, Well I'm starting a new business, custom umpire equipment. I'm working with local companies near me and I'm using only the best materials to make my equipment. First I will create my own chest protector line from "off the shelf" designs and "custom" equipment down to the 1/8th of an inch. Then work on shin guards, and finally clothes. My question is how much would you all pay for custom equipment that fitted you like custom jacket? I won't be giving out what materials I will be using until I get the prototype completed and the patent processed. That should hopefully be done by this January. Also any suggestions on what kind of features you like on CPs would be great! As I'm trying to combine best features from all different types of CPs on the market and putting it into one. Nate

A guy I know owns this mask and hates it. It blocks all peripherals and it restricts your views from north to south. It also caused a buddy of mine to have 4 concussions in one summer.

So I'm going to cooperstown next week, that's week #12. Wondering if anyone from UE is going.. There's 5 people from WMBUA (Local high school board) going, that's including me and my dad. If you're not going, has anyone gone this year? Nate

I have charcoal pants and I'm the only person on my high school board that had them this year.. I was told by one of the executive board members that I need to get heather gray next year. So I plan on buying heather gray from gerry davis. They have some top quality pants. The smitty flex pants that I got this year weren't very good. Very thin, cheap feeling, and holds wrinkles. Also the elastic stretched out.. I got a 32 flex-fit and now they're like a 35. So they're very uncomfortable to wear. Also I would feel embarrased to umpire on that crew. I get mad if I work with someone who wears a light blue shirt and doesn't tell me. We have a board policy that states if you're planning to wear another color other than dark blue, contact your partner ahead of time. Nate

I've learned to stop assuming what people know.

Before you pick a school you should know what one you want to go to. There is a big difference. Wendelstedt Umpire School: Harry Wendelstedt believes that all umpires should be at least 6' 2" and built athletic. If you don't make those minimum requirements, I'd suggest you to go to Evan's. This school also focuses more on field presence and experience, something like the good ol' boy system. You do a lot of live games during your time at the school to gain experience and cage work. What they do lack is coverage of the rules because of the time spent on the field presence. Jim Evans' Umpire Academy: Jim Evans believe that umpires come in all shapes and sizes. Jim Evans himself if a smaller sized man about 5' 10". He believe that knowledge of the rules is part of the game, and that anyone can umpire and be right 95% of the time, he teaches the other 5% that one would not know without proper training. Jim Evans' school involves long rule training classes, training in the cage and simulated situations with the instructors. I am 5' 10", 18 years old, and plan to go to Evans' Academy after college. The thing that swayed my opinion more was the wealth of knowledge that Jim had when I called and actually spoke to him. When calling Wendelstedt no one picked up, and after sending an email, Hunter Wendelstedt got back to me about 2 weeks later. Just be forewarned, if you get selected for the PBUC Camp, it doesn't mean you have a job, you'll have to spend about a week doing Spring Collegiate games at the PBUC stadium and umpire your way to a job. Good luck! Nate

By rule if a player or coach appeals to the umpire for a check swing the plate umpire must ask his partner(s). Your UIC was wrong, I'd get myself ejected too if I was the coach. He handled the ejection wrong though, acting like a child is never good.

A good thing to do is to do a lot of games during the season. Then show interest in doing them. A lot of times assigners have problems finding people qualified enough to do the games around here (also depending on who the AABC designates who's assigning). Nate

I worked some U11, U13, U15 Championship Game, and U17 State Tournament games. They were pretty decent to do. Since I've started umpiring I've always been selected to do at least one state game a year, but this year I did all the LL ages.

You guys read into stuff too much.. :kissass:

I planned on getting this mask and switching out my current Doe-skinned pads from wilson with it. I think the silver masks are extremely sexy. Nate

Probably the best game I've ever done.

I saw it and was surprised it wasn't called a foul ball.. It haven't seen a MLB game which they've called something that close a hit pitch. Also the next day, sportscenter was saying the ball hit the butt of the bat.

I used the Diamond 3xi for the past 4 years before I joined the HS board. I used it again this year during an U11 game. I got a pitch off the shoulder and I thought it was dislocated. My shoulder hurt for days.. Next day I threw it in the closet and that's where it will stay. If it can't protect me from a less than 40 mph pitch from a 9 year old, then it's not worth it. Conclusion: WV Gold is worth it's weight in gold.

Well it went well.. We had a lot of fun, we are all good friends that got to work to the game.. I actually switched to third base so the other guy who was on the bases didn't have to do all the running. I felt bad having a 60 year old man running more than an 18 year old.. haha I think the three man crew is so much better than the two man crew.. There's actually talks of using three men for varsity high school games now.

Okay received mine last week and wore it to a game the next day I got it. I have to say it's definitely very comfortable to wear! And also worth the money on a 'cool' but not 'cold' night. It also gave me good motion to do the punch the midget out move. I recommend people to buy one of these if you live in New England (or any area like the crazy weather we have in the summer). Also to size down if you order from honigs.. My medium is more like a large, but it's still good. Nate

Anyone else own one that can tell me how it is?

I'm going to make my mother come and take pictures of it all. I should have plenty to post. It should be a heated match. Each team was top of their leagues. It's cool we have two #1 teams from two different leagues coming together to one state game. Excellent competition! Nate

It's been happening to me at my girl friends house.. I did some bug testing and for some reason there aren't any cookies being passed.. The only reason why I'm able to get on here is because of the remember me box was checked some time ago.. Nate

Game is tomorrow night. I am excited! :home:

I found a classic WV made by douglas in mint condition for $80. I'm thinking of using it for my plate coat.

What are the big differences? Original Gold

The platinum will look flat unless you're as wide as joe west.. :shrug:

Try craigslist if you haven't.. I actually got a couple bidders from there.

Jeter play.. Lets talk about the Jacoby Ellsbury play.. http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090710&content_id=5807786&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos