hat camera for us umpires

[bengalvfan]

Has anyone ever heard of or tried to use a helmet / hat cam while umpiring? I want to be able to do this somehow but my searches have not came up with much that would be practical for us umpires.

I would really want to be able to do this for reviewing situations during my games that I could improve on or use as a training aid for other umpires.

The biggest hurdles I have come up with so far is:

- Finding a camera small enough / mountable on a regular umpires cap that is not distracting to others

- Would it be against any rules to do this? (mostly umpire high school, little league, select)

- would need to be mounted on a cap and not face mask as most calls you would have the mask off.

Thanks eveyone! I have been around lurking for quite awhile now and have found answers to all my questions by searching and research until now.

OhioUmp

[gayump]

A member of my association has one that he uses at times. I'll have to ask him where he go it.

[archangel]

I've been wondering about this also.

Always wanted to frame a pic of what I'm seeing when the pitcher releases the ball, including part of the batter and F2, with the blurred lines of my mask.....

[sdix00]

Check these out.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mini-DV-Spy-Hidden-Sunglasses-Camera-Cam-Video-Recorder-/200475252311?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ead419657#ht_3129wt_1139

There are some sample videos on YouTube taken with these cams. They are extremely cheap. You can get them in lots of form factors, not just sunglasses.

[boyinr]

There are cameras that are worn with head harnesses for snowboarding, skateboarding and bicycles/motorcycles. I would think any of these would work very well. You may have to wear a pack on your belt and it may take some trial and error to get the angle just right.

[yawetag]

Remember, though, that you're going to need some sort of steady-cam built in. Your head moves a lot more than you think, especially on the bases. It wouldn't be very fun to watch video from the same perspective.

[noumpere]

I've been wondering about this also.

Always wanted to frame a pic of what I'm seeing when the pitcher releases the ball, including part of the batter and F2, with the blurred lines of my mask.....

The problem with this is that the hat and camera will always be facing forwad while your eyes might not be. Your head might move while the eyes dont and visa versa. And while you are preparing for the pitch your head might be facing down through the zone while youre eyes are relatively up and to the left looking at the pitcher.

[bengalvfan]

I've been wondering about this also.

Always wanted to frame a pic of what I'm seeing when the pitcher releases the ball, including part of the batter and F2, with the blurred lines of my mask.....

The problem with this is that the hat and camera will always be facing forwad while your eyes might not be. Your head might move while the eyes dont and visa versa. And while you are preparing for the pitch your head might be facing down through the zone while youre eyes are relatively up and to the left looking at the pitcher.

I think it can work. a lot of these cameras have a field of view of up to 180 degrees and would actually see more then the umpire can.

From my searching I think the camera at the following website would work out the best.. it is really expensive though. Hard part would be mounting in a manner that does not look silly. I think a wire would have to be fed from the camera down into your shirt to the DVR unit that is samll enough for a pocket or they make a "harness" for under you shirt placement of the DVR. this is the unit I am looking at but would like to go someplace to try it out before buying. VIO POV CAM

Would love to hear some more ideas or hurdles to overcome.

OU

[sdix00]

Check these out.

http://cgi.ebay.com/...#ht_3129wt_1139

There are some sample videos on YouTube taken with these cams. They are extremely cheap. You can get them in lots of form factors, not just sunglasses.

SO I picked up a pair of these sunglasses and they seem to work well. I can't wait to try them on the field.

They are a bit loose on my head (7-1/4). Cheap plastic that might snap under my helmet after the first foul to the face.

Supposedly they have a "voice activated" mode. But mine came without a manual and I can't figure out how to turn that on. Can't set the date yet, either. But I was able to figure out everything else (Turn it on, take a snapshot, turn on video, copy the video from the Micro SD or via USB cable). 42 seconds of video created a 52MB file. So 1second=1.25MB and 2 hour game = 9GB means you will need a 8GB or 16 GB Micro SD to capture your entire game.

Oh yeah, they were $17 with shipping and arrived 10 days after I ordered them.

If the concept works, then you can upgrade to better equipment. If not, then it's a $17 lesson on what doesn't work.

Sample video below.

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=FnuTN_M7FqE

[Guest]

One of the umpires I work for has a pair of the sunglasses featured above. We have yet to find a suitable game to "break them out"

If we do, I will share the video.

[sdix00]

One of the umpires I work for has a pair of the sunglasses featured above. We have yet to find a suitable game to "break them out"

If we do, I will share the video.

Yeah, too bad it's All-star season. These won't get used until I find a rec-game.

[hckyosgood30]

have them with you, then when you have a blow out, go put them on.

[yawetag]

So 1second=1.25MB and 2 hour game = 9GB means you will need a 8GB or 16 GB Micro SD to capture your entire game.

As long as the glasses take SDHC, you're fine.

Can you turn it off and on easily? If so, 8GB should work if you turn them off between innings. Hit the on switch as you come up from cleaning the plate.

[Umpy]

So anyone actually end up making some videos with these things?

[bengalvfan]

Another year is going to be starting soon and I have yet to find something I think can work well.

Did any of you guys try out some of the above sun glasses? I would love to see some ingame vids if you have them.

Thanks!

[zm1283]

Check these out.

http://cgi.ebay.com/...#ht_3129wt_1139

There are some sample videos on YouTube taken with these cams. They are extremely cheap. You can get them in lots of form factors, not just sunglasses.

SO I picked up a pair of these sunglasses and they seem to work well. I can't wait to try them on the field.

They are a bit loose on my head (7-1/4). Cheap plastic that might snap under my helmet after the first foul to the face.

Supposedly they have a "voice activated" mode. But mine came without a manual and I can't figure out how to turn that on. Can't set the date yet, either. But I was able to figure out everything else (Turn it on, take a snapshot, turn on video, copy the video from the Micro SD or via USB cable). 42 seconds of video created a 52MB file. So 1second=1.25MB and 2 hour game = 9GB means you will need a 8GB or 16 GB Micro SD to capture your entire game.

Oh yeah, they were $17 with shipping and arrived 10 days after I ordered them.

If the concept works, then you can upgrade to better equipment. If not, then it's a $17 lesson on what doesn't work.

Sample video below.

Geez, you do know that you can open multiple tabs in a browser window, right?

[Scuzzyfeller]

How about this???

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230740797756?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

[Umpire in Chief]

I saw this at Target recently and thought of it's uses for training.

http://www.target.com/p/GoPro-Helmet-Hero-HD-Flash-Memory-Camcorder-CHDHH-001-Silver/-/A-13718024?reco=Rec|pdp|13718024|BuyTogether|item_page.generic_2&lnk=Rec|pdp|BuyTogether|item_page.generic_2

[WilsonFlyer]

I'm resurrecting this thread in the hopes of someone addressing the rules with regards to this, especially under Fed rules. There are hundreds of viable options available now to do the job. the question I have is in regards to actually doing it. Comments? 

Thanks!

[Mudisfun]

I don't think FED specifically addresses a situation where the umpire is filming the game from within the game... the rules don't allow us to use video to review a call nor the coaches however I would ask for input from your association prior to going down this road. I would bet very quickly the majority of us would be posting video asking for critique, comments etc and you can bet rather quickly that information will get to someone who opens some form of ethics investigation. Heck, how many of you on this board cannot be trusted to pick your own shirt colors? You also know these games will promptly get on You Tube which opens a whole new can of worms. Without specific permission I think this is one of those times it is not better to ask for forgiveness than permission.

If any where I would look to do this for a travel ball or off season scrimmage and I would make sure the coaches are aware I am video taping the event for educational and training purposes. Heck you might even make the video available to them so they can see from your perspective how your calling pitches... But if they object I would not do this from inside the game; if anything have a friend tape you if needed from outside the fence line.