kcfan102

That's not my mask, it's my dad's. I believe he kept it in the garage during the summer/fall gap and in his car during the summer. I kept mine in my Wilson bag with the special lining in the compartment.

Don't. After this fall, I am done with Wilson headgear until they get their act together. I have the Shock FX Steel version. The pads are falling off and the cage is bent. This is the second cage that has bent on me. My dad has the titanium version and his pads are falling off and the titanium cage is bent in a couple of places. Add that to a flawed strap design that takes off your ear lobes and an awkward fitting throat guard, and you have a seriously flawed helmet. See pictures below. If you are going to drop $200+ on an HSM go with the All-Star system 7, the Pro 9 HSM or something other than a Wilson. On another note, Wilson promptly replaced both helmets and the customer service is great. I would have preferred a great design to not need replacing in the first place. When high school ball gets started next year, I'll be in an All-Star.

Ta da! There you have it folks. Me personally, I won't get behind the plate without a throat guard, but I have a long neck that needs protecting. But what Kyle said is right on the money.

Nope. In 2001, they wore black, and he wore a traditional mask.

Gibson wears a NAVY AllStar. Cause, you know it meshes so well with the navy shirt they wea- Oh they don't. Call it a personality quark Post season baseball. Bring it on.

I see nothing wrong. What age? Just curious. If the batter is in the box for only a few seconds, you could have a quick pitch. But, often, I do what you just did because most of the times the kids are younger.

Thanks for all of the support, guys. This fall has been extremely busy. My goal going in was $1500 to help offset the amount I'll have to borrow. I'm on pace to make $2200 or $2300 so that will make things a lot easier on me. My assignor has been very generous and letting me work a lot. I filled out all of my online paper work and I made the decision to go as "strictly amateur" so even if I place on the top 25 or however many PBUC wants, I won't go. I am in the middle of getting my education degree from UMKC and that's something I want to see through. In fact, it's this light Spring semester that will allow me to go. I'll be enrolled as a full time student at UMKC while in Florida by taking online classes. I have a base of friends and an amazing family that's supported me in my decision. I also have the best girlfriend a person could ever ask for. I'm not interested in leaving all that behind and maybe seeing my loved ones a few times out on the road; or not at all. Quite simply, I'm not interested in Baseball's Narrowest Door. This fall, though, I am going to try to get evaluated by a college assignor and maybe, just maybe I could have some college games when I get back from Florida. I would certainly like the climb that latter as well as teach local umpires. In three years or less, I could have the job as UIC in our local league. Having that title I plan on starting an association. I think JEAPU will give the plenty of tools to peruse the college level as well as passing as much information I learn in Kissimee to those who want to learn. Even though I'm not an aspiring professional, I'm going to compete as hard as I can. And Mazz, if you are going, let me know. We could get together during our Sunday break. But I'm only 20 so I can't share an alcoholic drink, but maybe some chocolate milk :clap:

It never got above 68 today. It's fall. For sure.

It's official. I leave January 3rd for pro school. My flight lands at 3:25 EST. I am going to Jim Evans Academy. I'm super pumped because around that time, I start to go through some pretty nasty baseball withdraws. Anybody else going to Evans? Or pro school?

I sold my shock 2.0 to that guy, that's why he is getting rid of it.

I believe they call the out, lost it on the transfer, then appeal that R1 never tagged up. ... a clusterflop indeed

Exactly my problem. If it gets cold enough to have a thermabase jacket on, my plate umpire will probably have a jacket on too (no one has long sleeves around here) and we probably wont match. But when it's not heavy coat weather, I wouldn't mind wearing a a polo blue black jacket by Smitty or Rex at BTL or Honigs. But if they had a black with white inserts thermabase, then I would match... thus, I would buy.

I am left handed.... I never caught.

Zing!

According to jnazz's post, yes.

Good job guys! Now hopefully they'll also release a pro gray next spring too!

I too am in the market for a plate coat, I'm saving up for a Gerry Davis coat. But being for MO might be a little easier for me because the spring and fall can get chilly. MajorDave, a member here has informed me that they are the best coats out there. 1. Gerry Davis 2. Honigs 3. Fescheimer ^ That the order of quality that I've been told. That's also the order of price from highest to lowest. I'm sure someone with plate coat experience will either confirm or correct me later. Anything else you want to know?

I emailed Joe from Smitty about changing their pro trim powder shirt to match the polo blue from Honigs and Majestic. He said they have "discussed" it. Not sure what that mean but maybe they could use some persuasion! Here is his email address: joe (a) smittyapparel.com If you guys share my opinion, shoot him an email and try to convince them to take action! Finn, I also told him about the pro gray shirt, and even the black with gray inserts jacket. Also, they are coming out with a black with blue inserts jacket like the big boys.

How long have you been umpiring?

Atta boy. I do the same thing. My girlfriend is a little less understanding. THe question I get probably three or four times a season: "Why do you need all of those shirts?" :jerkit:

Here are mine: Major League Baseball Rulesbook - Does it need an explanation? Jaksa and Roder Rules of Baseball - A very comprehensive rewrite of the official rules. Lots of good information and lots of endorsements by the big guys. More Than 100 Problem With The Official Baseball Rules - Points out problem with the rules. Very good read. Jim Evans Maximizing The Two Umpire System - A very very very good explanation of the two man system and umpiring in general. As They See 'Em - My favorite non-educational umpire book. Weber offers a great insight into professional umpires. Major League Baseball Umpire Manual - Lots of good info. PBUC Umpire Manual - Some more good info. CCA Manual - Mechanics for two, three, and four man crews. Ruling Over Monarchs - We have the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum here in KC and this book combines that history with that of black umpires. Great read. Baseball's Narrowest Door - If you want to make it to the bigs, read this first. Whenever I read books about baseball, I NEVER hate them. For some reason, even if the writing or story isn't that good, I end up loving every book I read. I have no connection with any of these links. These are my favorites, yours might be different.

For Abner's sake, it's FALL BALL! I understand that people are competitive an all but geesh. Isn't fall ball supposed to be developmental? You know, where teams have rag tag uniforms and they are more concerned with getting home to watch the MU or KU game? What you said about if you would have let another pitch go, you could of had the other coach go ape sh!t; that's exactly right. If it's 1:30 drop dead, then that means drop dead. If there was no way for another team to catch up, then so be it kill the game right there. The rules are the rules. Regulation game time was over. Don't play anymore than you have to because you may end up in a pile horse poop. What you did was right. Unfortunately your assignor is in the WRONG and so is that RAT you had. If I was your partner I'd have your back all the way.

customerservice@smittyapparel.com ^^ Tell them to make a polo blue and pro gray!

I believe this version was the one that got them in trouble with West Vest: I think this is the one that got them out of trouble: Jim does his best to carry the products people want. Obviously, he wasn't impressed the the Champion protectors and thought people might prefer another chest protector over the Champion. I wasn't either impressed when I had mine. There were too many soft spots that were unprotected by hard plates. The padding behind the plates (on the version I had) seemed to be about as thick as an oven mitt. As soon as I upgraded to a platinum two or three years ago, the difference in the quality was substantial. It's not a bad CP. Go out and do little league games all day and it will do it's job admirably. Especially, for the price tag, it's a wonderful protector for the littler guy. I wish I would have kept my Champion to work with the younger guys, but I sold it for $50. Just recently, I bought a Gerry Davis hybrid on ebay for $22.50. I bet it will work just as well. I think Jim may have looked at the Champion and realized he already had a good, solid chest protector for the youth ages, the Diamond iX3. In my experience, the Champion chest protector is vastly inferior to anything with a W on it (or a Douglas and soon to be All-Star). I'm sticking to my Platinum for 13 and over and I am excited to try out the Gerry Davis one for 12s and under. This is my $0.99, your mileage may vary.

You've come to the right place :angel4: