Un-Uniform Uniforms

[twjones]

Well this week was certainly one for my books... I had three different games with three different uniform "standards" AND a WTF call. I'm trying to figure out which one takes the cake...

1) Saw my first Umpire Hook actually being used in a game... I kind of wanted to puke.

2) Two "live strong" type braclets on one hand and a watch on the other. Long sleeve grey hoodie under a navy shirt AND a cell phone clipped on the belt.

3) 8-sitch hat on backwards while wearing an HSM.

Not to mention I had the basketball equivalent of a blarge while working the bases.

Situation: R1, R2; 1 out. I'm base umpire. Ball hit to shortstop, throws to second - out. 2nd baseman has trouble getting a handle on the ball and doesn't throw to first. Meanwhile, R2, had made a big turn towards the plate thinking the 2nd baseman was going to try for the DP. 2nd baseman makes a quick throw over to 3rd. I've got a tag - out! As soon as I make the call I look over and see the PU signaling safe "he's under the tag." Somehow we got out of it without having to eject anyone and our post game was somewhat interesting.

:smachhead:

[Jboval]

Please - do tell how you got out of that double call at third??? And the interesting post game... details man!!:smachhead:

[mstaylor]

I don't know how you get out of it, I'm guessing safe, but the discussion in the parking lot has to be, "Stay the out of my call. With R1/R2 the PU stays home, period. STAY THERE! :cheers:

[Paperipper17]

1) Saw my first Umpire Hook actually being used in a game... I kind of wanted to puke.

I apologize in advance if I seem like the village idiot...

but I legitimately thought the mask hook was a gag. Like, something cooked up as an inside joke purely for entertainment purposes.

[yawetag]

I apologize in advance if I seem like the village idiot...

but I legitimately thought the mask hook was a gag. Like, something cooked up as an inside joke purely for entertainment purposes.

Apparently not. :smachhead:

[Kevin Finnerty]

Definitely not. I had a partner with a mask hook. Honest. He loves it, too.

[NovaScotiaBlue]

I apologize in advance if I seem like the village idiot...

but I legitimately thought the mask hook was a gag. Like, something cooked up as an inside joke purely for entertainment purposes.

It's real, Here's a link: http://umpirehook.com/contact.asp

[BrianC14]

It's real, Here's a link: http://umpirehook.com/contact.asp

Yes, it may be a real product, but it's still a real joke. :question1:

[tjthresh]

OH MY GOD!

Its even more ridiculous that i imagined.

[kristoffae]

It's real, Here's a link: http://umpirehook.com/contact.asp

Hilarious! $13 for this thing. I already have one. It is called my left hand.

And the testimonial on there is even better:

"The mask hook gives me a professional look, takes the hassel out of sticking my mask under my arm, and the freedom to use both hands."

The translation of this is "The mask hook makes me look like a professional idiot and gives other umpires the urge to punch me in the face with both hands and then stick my mask in a very uncomfortable place."

Edited April 12, 2010 by kristoffae

[BrianC14]

Hilarious! $13 for this thing. I already have one. It is called my left hand.

And the testimonial on there is even better:

"The mask hook gives me a professional look, takes the hassel out of sticking my mask under my arm, and the freedom to use both hands."

The translation of this is "The mask hook makes me look like a professional idiot and gives other umpires the urge to punch me in the face with both hands and then stick my mask in a very uncomfortable place."

I guess it was a "hassle" for him to use a spell checker on his web page.

And a closer look at his embedded video - - - you'll note that the picture at the start shows an umpire sweeping the plate. And where is his mask? In his left hand, of course. :crazy:

[twjones]

Please - do tell how you got out of that double call at third??? And the interesting post game... details man!!

Very carefully.

I don't know how you get out of it, I'm guessing safe, but the discussion in the parking lot has to be, "Stay the out of my call. With R1/R2 the PU stays home, period. STAY THERE!

You are correct. The call was safe. Since the PU said "he's under the tag" and the offensive coach was sitting right there and heard it I thought we were basically stuck. If he had not said anything, I think I could have sold my call.

However, we went with safe. The Visiting Coach came out to talk. He wanted to know how I had a tag and the other umpire had no tag. I told him that the other umpire had him getting under the tag and back to the base safely. Therefore, since I had additional information, my call was changed.

The post game wasn't too bad. Obviously, we had a pretty good afternoon and 12 1/2 innings (happened in the bottom of the 6th of a DH) with no problems. I was a little upset everything went down the shi**er after we worked hard all afternoon. However, I told him that we needed to figure out why it happened and to learn from it. So, we went through mechanics and coverages for the second time... the first being in the pre-game to make sure we were on the same page.

It happens and I hope something was learned from the situation.

[Kevin Finnerty]

"If the ball stays in the infield, I have everything on the bases."

[Kevin Finnerty]

I don't know how you get out of it, I'm guessing safe, but the discussion in the parking lot has to be, "Stay the out of my call. With R1/R2 the PU stays home, period. STAY THERE!

What about a fly ball with R2 tagging and going to third?

[BrianC14]

"If the ball stays in the infield, I have everything on the bases."

That's the line I use. :question1:

[BrianC14]

What about a fly ball with R2 tagging and going to third?

I got a glazed-over eyes look from my partner a couple of games back when I mentioned that one to him.

We never had the tag-up play come up, but that didn't stop him from NOT rotating up on a first-to-third play. We got lucky that nothing happened there, in spite of the throw being made to F5 by F7 . I turned from my spot near 2B (B/R was hustling in there, with F4 awaiting a throw) - I when the throw went to F5, I turn around and there he his, all of 10 feet from the plate. *whew*

Sheesh, guys - it isn't that difficult! :question1:

Edited April 12, 2010 by BrianC14

[Kevin Finnerty]

I think it's made difficult by the guys who cover the stuff in the wrong order, or the guys who take too long to cover stuff in the pre-game that never happens in the games.

[BrianC14]

I think it's made difficult by the guys who cover the stuff in the wrong order, or the guys who take too long to cover stuff in the pre-game that never happens in the games.

Exactly. Covering things like, "Hey, I just got an 'Umpire Hook', how do you like it?" :question1:

[Guest]

Exactly. Covering things like, "Hey, I just got an 'Umpire Hook', how do you like it?"

"Here, let me have a look at that."

*drop kick into nearest forest / body of water / dumpster*

"Alright. Now that we've settled that, what's next?"

[Paperipper17]

"Here, let me have a look at that."

*drop kick into nearest forest / body of water / dumpster*

"Alright. Now that we've settled that, what's next?"

but I think setting fire to it is safer...keep umpire archaeologists 500 years in the future from finding it and thinking we were all idiots...

[Kevin Finnerty]

Sure it's inane, but at least it has no purpose.

[Paperipper17]

Sure it's inane, but at least it has no purpose.

Of course it does. Our amusement

The mask hook is going to become like the umpire equivalent of the left-handed fungo, or telling a guy that first and third base are in the wrong holes.

"So, I got my plate shoes, chest protector, shin guards..."

"Did you remember your mask hook?"

"Oh my God, no!"

[Kevin Finnerty]

The thing is, there's a guy out there wondering why his ingenious invention, the Mask Hook, just hasn't taken off.

[kwiggie]

The thing is, there's a guy out there wondering why his ingenious invention, the Mask Hook, just hasn't taken off.

Are you kidding, This guy is "laughing all the way to the bank". He has invented somthing that, all though is completely futile is being bought up by a percentage of umpires as cutting edge. I don't know whether to congratulate "him" or shake my head at those that have bought it! "A fool is born every minute" comes to mind.

[yawetag]

50 years ago:

Steve: Hey, Joe, did you hear about the new, cutting-edge invention in umpiring?

Joe: No. What is it?

Steve: An indi-clicker-thingie!

Joe: What does it do?

Steve: It's awesome! It allows you to keep the number of balls, strikes, and outs on one little device... and it fits in your hand!

Joe: Interesting.

Steve: Not only that, some of them allow you to keep track of the inning!

Joe: Sounds neat, but isn't it just easier to keep track of it in your head?

Steve: Well, I guess so. But this thing is really neat!

Now, I'm not saying the hook is worth purchasing; I certainly wouldn't. However, I'm sure some other inventions in officiating were originally met with the same amount of scorn.