New to this

[Rock Bottom]

4 minutes ago, wolfe_man said:

Totally understand!  As a rule, I will not work baseball under 15U.  I sometimes give in and help a friend out, but only if he can't find anyone else.

Appreciate the honest response!

After getting smoked by a foul to the elbow and really bruising it, I bought these (and yes, I put my hand/arms behind my back, but no way to hide the elbows) G-Form batting elbow guards.  They work great, and are very comfortable.  Yes, not cheap buying two of them, but it just a little more than a co-pay.  Plus working w/a broken elbow would not be fun. I thought I might get some looks/questions from other umps, but so far not a peep (just started using them for about my last 50 games).

 

https://g-form.com/elite-speed-baseball-batters-elbow-guard

 

 

[ArchAngel72]

2 hours ago, Velho said:

Sharing my personal experience & seconding Max: I do only LL (9 years in) and use a HSM after starting with a traditional mask. I switched for the larger field of vision. Side benefit is the all around protection as balls do bounce off backstops/overheads (and, for whatever reason, I have a horrible habit of ducking into the fastballs at my face that catchers miss, so that's been big for me). Also, it is very easy to take on and off with just your left hand vs TM & hat that can take some time to get down.

The one gear I wish I bought earlier is plate shoes. The toes are precious.

Shins and Chest, I've upgraded as I've gotten more serious and done more games. That hasn't bothered me as it's helped me hone in on my personal preferences without spending bigger amounts from the start.

 

I've been there with a 12 yr old on the mound throwing serious heat for his age and he is wild and the short 10 yr old catcher is not quick enough or skilled enough to go up and get that high and tight one that I stood there and took it square, why because I felt the catcher was going to get there.. NOPE he did not.. rung my bell and it was the last game I umped wearing that cheap and light Champro hollow steel mask. 

What scares me more with LL is the bats.  I have been wacked by enough loosely tossed on the back swing bats than I care to recall..   All to the arm or legs thankfully.  Tis another reason for the HSM thinking though.

 

[Velho]

1 hour ago, ArchAngel72 said:

short 10 yr old catcher is not quick enough or skilled enough

Lefthanded Johnny: "Hi ump! I've never caught before!"

Me: Give the Manager the death stare like he said something borderline ejectable

[BLarson]

I have been wearing an older All Star HSM...just got the 2500 for this year.   The padding in the older one is just deteriorating year after year...but it's so comfortable.

I find it easy enough to remove with my left hand and do everything I need to do.

[wolfe_man]

2 hours ago, Velho said:

Lefthanded Johnny: "Hi ump! I've never caught before!"

Me: Give the Manager the death stare like he said something borderline ejectable

Oh, it's much worse when it's JV or Varsity ball.  A blowout and they come in and say that when the kid is throwing low 90's!

[BT_Blue]

On 3/10/2022 at 2:14 PM, Velho said:

Lefthanded Johnny: "Hi ump! I've never caught before!"

Me: Give the Manager the death stare like he said something borderline ejectable

However... when thenkid shows a proficiency for catching out of the blue, that is always really fun a d a treat! Had this is one of my last college games I worked a few years back. Besides some of the more nuanced parts of receiving the ball and other stuff, the kid was a wiz at the position! 

[Old_Dub13]

Holy moly @BT_Blue! I just noticed you’re in Salmon Creek. That’s where I grew up. I’ve been around, but now I live in BG.

[BT_Blue]

2 hours ago, Old_Dub13 said:

Holy moly @BT_Blue! I just noticed you’re in Salmon Creek. That’s where I grew up. I’ve been around, but now I live in BG.

Technically, I'm in Felida right at the top of the hill above the creek. Always good to find a fellow Washingtonian! 

If I had known you were local, I would have offered you a great price on a brand new Champion that I have. Maybe save you a little time and money.

[elares]

6 hours ago, BT_Blue said:

Technically, I'm in Felida right at the top of the hill above the creek. Always good to find a fellow Washingtonian! 

If I had known you were local, I would have offered you a great price on a brand new Champion that I have. Maybe save you a little time and money.

Hello old friends!   I grew up in Hazel Dell, attended Columbia River HS.  Now in Los Angeles. 

[BT_Blue]

3 minutes ago, elares said:

Hello old friends!   I grew up in Hazel Dell, attended Columbia River HS.  Now in Los Angeles. 

You went the opposite of me. I was down in LA for over a decade and moved up here to be able to buy a house.

[Old_Dub13]

On 3/14/2022 at 7:50 PM, elares said:

Hello old friends!   I grew up in Hazel Dell, attended Columbia River HS.  Now in Los Angeles. 

That’s wild. I went to CRHS (‘93).