kcfan102

I'm very interested in getting the new New Balance when they come out in January... My only reservation is that they are so ugly! I know looks shouldn't matter but I like think I (or my uniform) looks good when I go out on the field, but geez I hate the looks.

You're slippin' Kevin!

My dad bought a majestic thermabase and I plan on buying a smitty thermal and compare them.

I knew it would happen eventually, and I'm sure many on here won't even think about buying this. But for sake of equipment news, here it is: Smitty now offeres the Majestic style polos they wear in the bigs. They are $26 compared to the $35 of the majestic. They claim it's the same "100% polyester pebble knit" that the majestics have. I might buy a pair just to have. Purchase Officials also has a pink alternative that was posted on eBay a few weeks ago. Purchase Officials They also have new thermal jackets... I'm always looking for a deal. They are $70 compared to the Majestic $90. I'm wondering two things: 1. Are they the same quality, only Majestic charges more because they are "official" Or 2. The Majestics are higher quality, that's why they are more expensive. Either way, this has been Brandon reporting for U-E news... ...Stay tuned for the weather.

I just got a similar email! Bummer!!! Jax, We should fight this!

Email I got from them this morning: Brandon, There seems to have been a mistake on the pricing of the FM25TI-UMP you have ordered. The price of that item is $199.95. Would you like me to make the correction on your invoice and ship you out your order? Or we can take that item off of you order and ship you out the other items, or cancel the whole order together. Please let me know what you would like me to do for you. Thank you,

Just bought two :)

When I went to his 5 week course he said the annotated rule book was pretty much done. That problem, that he said was the length. I too look forward to this book. And I have to say, the Maximizing book is the only true textbook for umpiring mechanics. He refered to this book every day during classroom lecture. Well, he didn't, mostly Dick Nelson took over the mechanics portion of the lecture. This is what they teach at the Evans school. And just like Mr. Teater (my neighbor, and for some reason I have not met in person yet???) I recommend any form of JETS to anyone. I value my 5 weeks of school with that man and his instructors more than most things in my life. And Kevin, I respect your opinion a great deal, I really do. I don't feel that the illustrations in this book are "embarrassing". I would be very curious to see how one would illustrate umpire mechanics without video. As for the price? It is steep, $70 is a lot of money. For most people I would imagine it would be around one and a half, to two game fees. In my opinion, it's worth it. I don't see another publication out there that goes this in depth into the mechanics that are being taught to future professional umpires. Mazz, if your looking and if you have this book, I assume that these are things you were taught at Harry's? Plus, I had to buy a book for a poly-sci class this past semester. That cost me 200 big ones. So... $70? Not too bad ;)

I believe they'll be there at production time.... I think .......... that said though, there are ankle protectors, but it's fairly thin and not as hard as we'd like ...but again, ...like Slo said, I believe they're coming production w/ harder thicker plates and a re-adjustment on the last strap to keep them at your ankles so they don't flare 'out' ....... Believe me, I'm not going to flare out. I'm just waiting for the CP to come out. I already bought an MVP bucket and fell in love with it. If the rest of the System 7 line is as good as the MVP, I'll be covered head to toe in All Star gear. I hope you are right about the ankle plates :)

No ankle plates.... thats a deal breaker for me I really need those ankle plates. I like that knee protection but I get hit in those ankles like you wouldn't imagine... Please All-Star, give me ankle plates....

How do I get on the testing committee for that one????

I'm sold... I'm just waiting on some new All Star sin guards :)

The only relevance the play before the one at first has is whether we bring out the "banger mechanic". I - Important C - Close + E - Exciting Banger Mechanic Call it how you see it. Plain and simple. There are no ties in baseball. It may be really close, too close for you to differentiate, but there are no ties. It's against our moral code. Don't give an out because someone "deserves it" because of a diving stop. and don't give a safe because the second baseman made four errors on one ground ball. Call it as it happens, that's simply your job.

Awesome, Nate. As a 2011 graduate from Jimmy's school, I can say you are making a great decision. All of the tips up there are great, just remember to have a little bit of fun. Any specific questions, let me know.

This is something I want to do. My dad did a it a couple of years ago and it was awesome. But with teams being squeezed with money nowadays, nobody around my area is going anymore. Jax, I hope you're having/had a great time at CDP.

I wear a hat under my HSM. No problems. Mr. Ed Hickox does too. There is nothing wrong with not wearing a hat under your HSM. It keeps you cool. But if a hat is really that big of a deal, then just wear a hat under your HSM.

9 380

Reeboks are great but Nike is my kind of shoes. Always has been.

It's not a minor mis-usage of the term, it's a major one. It bugs the heck outta me too, but c'mon guys, I think one post pointing out an error like that is enough. Onto your question... Catchers used to go with a hat under their face mask. They switched to the batting helmet because they would get back swings on the top of their head. (Most of the time) Umpires don't have that problem. Some umpires went to the HSM version because the HSM provided superior visibility and ventilation over most masks. Wilson and All Star are coming out with their titanium masks that are lighter than traditional steel masks, and I've heard of a few guys switching from HSM back to a traditional mask. So my question...If you want "top of the head" protection, why not go with a HSM? All Star makes a great one. A skull cap won't breathe nearly as much as an HSM will and will just look odd. So I guess maybe there hasn't been acceptance is because people that want "top of the head" protection simply go with a HSM. People that don't need that, stay with the traditional mask.

You guys really need to look into these: http://umpattire.blogspot.com/2011/04/introducing-umpvision-ump-attirecom.html

I probably need to go this year

Had it yesterday :)

There are two ways to cover the BU going into foul and a passed ball. The JEA way, is for the BU to simply cut into the infield, no pivot, and haul @ss in the direction of second base. That method does work, I've seen it. The other way is I believw what is taught at PBUC, so we were taught that way at JEAPU as well. The plate umpire should be getting towards the 45' line, so he will be able to take BR into second if he is hustling. It's not that hard to do. As the plate umpire, as soon as you read a untrue throw towards first base, cheat towards to second. Ball going into DBT is now switch to the BU. But honestly, if you read pressure and go into foul territory (which is not only an accepted mechanic, but taught as well at pro school), the throw is probably not going to get passed the first baseman. It's like... the shortest throw on the diamond... ...unless you are doing an adult league game with this guy playing second base:

They made us to the hammer at pro school. The very last day they took off the "academy mechanics" and basically told us that each umpire can do whatever we want to. They just preached that, no matter what we do, keep the same basic principles in place. 1) Keep your head forward. 2) Make it loud and crisp. There are some very good hammer mechanics as well as bad hammer mechanics. I personally don't use the point because I always felt awkward when I tried it. Who/what am I pointing at? But like ump_24, Dale Scott (#5 on your scorecards, #1 in your hearts) has a very good point mechanic.

it feels awkward because you simply aren't used to it. Right handed batter generally out number left handed batters, so naturally you are used to looking at the plate a certain way. Just like anything, it takes practice. You can practice it at home though. Go into your garage, basement, or other place where you might have some room and practice getting into and out of your heel - toe - heel - toe stance. At pro school, myself and moblue put down some masking tape on our hotel room floor and we practiced getting into and out of our heel - toe stance. Get 75 reps a night and in a few days your left handed slot will feel just as good as your right handed one. Here is a picture of what we had in our hotel room.