Aging_Arbiter

I can only call what I see.

for game fee and a half.......I'll make due.

PA, baseball starting on time.......for now. Only problem is our numbers. Our chapter covers 23 "conference" schools and a non-conference Christian school. We have (I believe) 58 umpires. I have 12 Varsity & 7 JV. Of which, 2 of those JV are solo.

FWIW, I tried the F3 mask mask last Friday for an inter-squad game I called just to see some pitches before the season. Yes, I had a gaiter around my neck for removing my mask, or in between innings talking with the HC. Now, I will admit, it was VERY difficult adjusting to having it on the mask. With the bill of your cap, and the mask on the frame, you get a serious case of tunnel vision (I'll come back to this). MY ONLY real issue with this mask, was not being able to easily locate my catcher, just by looking down (when stepping up into the slot). The first inning I tried to find an adjustment. Now, you may notice in some photos out there, the mask tends to ride just a little below the lower cross bar (and is not a "cemented in place perfect fit"). So I pulled the front (center) of it down just a little more (maybe a half inch) and I now have the top of my F2s helmet in view. It came off once while removing my mask, so I pulled up my gaiter, put it in my ball bag and finished the inning. Then, put it back on. In regards to the aforementioned tunnel vision, in some weird way, I kind of like it. I can see the F1's release point, I can see the bottom outside corner of the zone, and the F2's glove. But it was a weird feeling. It blocked out just about everything else and seemed like it MADE me focus more on what I could see. PRO: Meets PIAA standard for wearing a face covering, allowed me to focus CON: Weird feeling and hard to get used to. Came off once when removing my mask.

Dinner already getting cold - 0

Are you and Perry on the same crew?

yeah, I'm too old for that $#!T

and if not.....................ventilation?

you know, @maven, based on your first post, I thought you were going to be a little more "stand off(ish)" with this topic. But I am at a point where I can no longer contain my laughter with your input that you provide. LOVE IT!!

i guess you need to update your info then,,,,,,,,,2020 HS 5 | LL 1

Yes, coaches SHOULD know. I won't disagree with that. However, I know several coaches who are the 9th grade science teacher, or the drama teacher, etc.

Mason, Here is what they are talking about.

When did this become a LL thing? Never heard of that being taught. Outs is already covered by the umpire. Runners on base??? That's a coaches job.

Let me preface this by saying, I understand the case plays and rulings, and that is what I do. HOWEVER, here is my "internal" controversy regarding this. If the runner misses 1B, and the defense does what they are supposed to do (assuming a throw to F3, he receives the throw with a foot on the bag)..........Why should the defense need to appeal? They DID what they were supposed to do. The BR failed to do his part, when he missed the bag.

Another point to consider, since they CAN do this, it will catch up to them. In order to be able to pitch the following day, they have to be under the threshold. However, it only helps them that day. No pitcher may pitch 3 consecutive days. I've seen the good news/bad news scenario. If you get games early in the week, you could see this. Conversely, at the end of the week, they could be out of pitching.

@Stk004 did you really say ceramics class?? I had to laugh. A few of us took Home Ec just because the class was full of girls.

lol..................he said scorekeeper-empire

indeed. I had not updated that statement since I made it in December. Great Call Out!

Welcome! As I'm sure you've noticed, when in the gear forum and you see a post by @MadMax, use the bathroom, get a drink, get comfy....................because he's gonna lay it ALL out there.

Fortunately for me, There were 2 sports photographers from the local paper at the same game. Both got the same play, from a different angle.

Thanks Jeff. I'm not the type to puff out my chest and tell war stories at the local VFW. My point was, that the folks around town that know me......know me.

The OP calls out "youth players". Before I come back to this, I know how I should react, but I honestly don't know unless the situation presented itself. Now, for the purpose of my post, "youth players".....to the best of my knowledge, 18 is the age of consent for most states and therefore, accepted as the "norm" for being an adult (no longer a "youth"). That said, this would include HS players. I THINK I'd be ok with this one, since they are more aware of the happenings in the world, and start to get closer to that age of consent as well as form their own opinions. However, the next hits closer to home. I've been involved with my local league for 22 years, know most of the coaches from town, and some who brought their kids through the program, are now bringing their grandkids through. Most in the league know I am a combat vet. I've lost friends, family and fellow service members. While I will say that yes, I understand the principle and thought process behind the whole "it's done to bring awareness to....." that was started by CK, but doesn't mean I have to agree with it. Yes, I fought for their right to be a disrespectful idiot, and for them to show the world. I fought for their right, to tell me I'm wrong. I am NOT going to be the one to stop them (unless a rule is implemented indicating such). I'm not bigger than the game, I'm there for the kids.......but I don't know if I'd stay if that happened in a LL game. Sometimes, honest soul searching is an eye opener. This is something I once saw on a t-shirt and it kind of hit home with me. "If you've never risked coming home under a flag, who are you to disrespect it?" Now, so as not to be misunderstood, I would respectfully like to clarify for those who may not be familiar with the military. If you are KIA, your coffin will be draped by a US Flag until burial. Lastly, I'll take this opportunity to apologize if this seems like I have gone on a rant, but the OP really got me thinking.

Probably not what you were expecting when relocating the Texas?

Yes. Assuming this is on the fly , the Ball never touched the ground. When F9 picks the ball up, control has been established and (another assumption) when they threw the ball in, established voluntary and intentional release. HOWEVER, let's take it one step further. Runner(s) are released (tag up) from the first touch of the fly ball.

Maybe it is ME and I am missing something. How would it "swing around"? @SeeingEyeDog stated "So, I've always grabbed my mask by the throat guard. (Not the dangling throat guard, the integrated throat guard bars.)" I added the underline in case something was missed in context, but this was from his post. If you don't have a dangling throat guard, the mask (unless chopped) has a "throat guard" built in. Again, maybe it's just me, be as long as you have a firm grip in the mask when you remove it, I don't understand how it could swing. Just to point out that most if not all realize I am not a professional umpire. So if an assignor has an issues with the mask (grab) removal being 2 inches lower than where he/she wants it............are they focusing on the rest of umpires game?