My plate mechanics
 

OK,

I was someone what bored yesterday and worked on some mechanics. This is me, doing my nornal routine mechanics. Do you think that my mechanics are decent? (sorry, shot inside, so it isnt the best)

http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ent=llmov2.flv

Ok,
 

Help me out . . . what the hell are the black wrist bands?

Enquiring minds want to know . . .

1) Slow down, especially when practicing . . . "you are what you practice".

2) Never look to the side during a called strike . . . KEEP YOUR EYES on the field.

3) Slow EVERYTHING DOWN!

4) Decide who you really are and get backs to us.

Regards,

Just a few to add to Tims comments
Look at your foot positioning you are really open with your right foot remember all you armor is on the front for a reason. Hard to see your left keep it square to the target also.

You are drifting to your set position quick A to B positioning

Slow down stand completely before staarting your strike call

Tim , i felt it necessary to be in my FULL uniform. I use wristbands so what?

Anyway

That vid was just a basic practice shot. I didnt have a pitcher there obviously, so im going to speed it up a bit in the video. So now you know us "trolls" dont look half bad.

Back to looking to the side- Just as discussed before by other umpires who do it, i only do it when there isnt runners on. I wont do that when something could happen that i may miss.

slow down is correct.

when giving the count down do that one hand at a time thing that you have going. give it in front all at once.

looks like you may be getting too low, shoulders are too exposed, if you will. Keep your back a tad more upright maybe. Also, cut the straps on your mask, please. That long antenna thing isnt a good look, cut them and burn the edges. Just a helpful little tip.

Doesnt look too bad to me, keep it up.

the name is just my photobucket name.

Anyhow, that isnt my room :D

Just wait till spring guys, ill have a video up here of a REAL umpire :)

Why do you use wristbands ? I'm not being critical, just trying to understand.
Are you afraid you'll lose your grip on your indicator because of sweat running down your arm ? In the association I am in, (and most, I suspect), you'd be laughed off the field, and then reprimanded for being out of uniform, as sweatbands are not part of the "official uniform".
Do you wear a headband also ?

umpduck:
 

No real umpire wears wrist bands . . . dan is still a wanna be . . .

Actually dan you do look terrible.

From the wrist bands to poor practice timing.

I would suggest that you follow school timing and say the following out loud:

1) ON THE RUBBER

pause

2) SET

Drop seat into correct position,

3) PITCH

Follow the imaginary ball to the glove, timing equals proper use of eyes, and make the call.

EVEN when you "flash" the count you are waaaay too fast . . . SLOW DOWN even when you practice.

Now, trust me, I don't expect you to take any of our advice -- you have proven that before BUT since you took the time and guts to put a vid on I thought I would comment . . .

You have a long ways to go grasshopper . . .

Lose the stupid wrist bands!

Regards,



Regards,

Loose the armbands.

Look forward at all times.

Slow down.

Get a haircut!

Honestly guys,

I will listen to what you have to say. New year, new me. I will be attending the Williamsport LL 2 day umpire clinic in April, any of the LL guys on here attending?

Also ozzy, fyi- baseball season= short hair winter=long hair

Are you saying you are taping this from in front of somebody else's closet?

no, thats are "office" we'll say.... down stairs.

Except for the MLB umpires, when they wear the pink ones for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

I am confused, Dan. Wasn't that you in the photo you posted working the scissors and the black ball bags/Navy shirt combo?

no it wasnt.

Sds,
 

I agree that MLB umpires at times have worn bands for different charity awareness programs.

I remember Yellow (Lance Armstrong Foundation) and light blue on Father's Day (Prostrate Test awareness) . . . and I am sure there are others.

I think you understood the point that many of us were making to LLdanFake.

Regards,

Yes, of course I understood. And his reason for wearing the wristbands wasn't compelling either. If he had said he was wearing them in support of Black History Month, I might have bought their use.:cool:

Haha...
 

I think we should all post videos of ourselves. Should make for some good preseason discussion.

Who has a video camera?

I'd say it's more that he's impetuous and young that causes him to say and do some of the things he does. We were all teenagers at one time and can well remember what it was like to want to assert our own individuality.

There's really nothing about wearing his wrist bands that'll drastically effect his games mechanically. It's only a perception problem amongst the coaches that it looks unprofessional that could cause him some difficulty.


Tim.

Chris:
 

1) Evans has made an effort to tell all students to NOT LOOK TO THE SIDE when you call strikes. At the five week, one week Desert Classic and week end clinics Jim specifically comments tht umpires should not look to the side while calling strikes . . . do what you want Chris . . . it is not what Evans currently teaches.

2) You noted: " . . . but you got to give him some credit....He posted himself on video."

The following quote was taken from my post of 01.02.07: " . . . since you took the time and guts to put a vid on . . . "

Chris, it is becoming obvious too me that we have grown apart over the past 5 or 6 yeasr of posting on what it takes to be a great umpire.

I also "am at the top of my game" . . . I just posted a still shot of me working the Davis System and got GREAT criticism. If I had the technology and knew how, I would certainly put video footage of my plate work.

Regards,

I pointed off to the side as a minor league umpire...and received a 4.5 plate rating on my plate work. (For those familiar with the PBUC evaluation "system"...that grade speaks for itself.)

Also, "Sarge" (now an Evans instructor, but at the time a PBUC evaluator) told me after a game, "don't change a thing and you are on your way. And if any one tells you to change, you tell them I told you not to." And that was after a game where I had pointed off to the side.

While "Sarge" does not have the Major League resume of Jim...he certainly has decades of experience as an evaluator/instructor on the professional level.

However...to be fair...if you turn off to the side, you better be darn sure of "what just happened" if something did happen. That's why, LLDan, that I echo the calls from others above for you to slow down.

Is all umpiring now judged on what Evans is currently teaching? How would he feel about the GD system in his 5-week school?

Rich:
 

As you know I would not be allowed to use the Davis Stance at Evans EVEN if I was there not wanting a professional position.

Regards,

Tee:

Any idea why they would be against using the GD?


Tim.

Tim:
 

At professional schools the teach ONLY ONE system so that all students can be evaluated the same. All Class A umpires must work the standard heel-to-instep system as taught at school.

Evans does not even allow the GDS at a WEEKEND Clinics (as we had in Portland last spring) -- when you get your registration information from the Evans Group before the clinic it states that they will teach only those that use the stand heel-to-instep and the scissors.

Evans, BTW, does not believe in ANY part of the GDS system. He thinks it is "mumbo-jumbo" (my term). I had a long talk with him about the stance at our clinic.

Regards,

BigUmp:

You ought to hear Evans's opinion of "Internet umpires."

Rich:
 

I think that Evans's feelings are quite interesting about a number of things:

1) He feels that the only people that can teach umpiring are professional umpires. In fact at all his clinics, classes and schools he makes fun of local trainers and calls them "Charlies" . . . all his instructor use the term freely also.

2) On more than one occasion Evans has intoned that "internet umpires" are a bunch of guys that cannot umpire and are basically "keyboard" umpires that couldn't work real games.

3) He feels that umpires not trained by professional umpires are hurting the game of baseball and the future of umpiring.

Of course there is no conflict of interest in his position.

Regards,

I've seen all three (from your list) in person.

It's why I've gone to one weekend clinic (where I certainly don't feel I got my money's worth, but that's really the fault of the association setting the price too high) and haven't gone back. I'm sure the experience would be quite different over a week or 5 weeks, but I'll probably never find that out. Well, maybe some day. My pro aspirations are zero -- I couldn't afford the pay cut.

Out of touch?
 

Makes me wonder if Evans is getting a little out of touch by "not" allowing anything but one stance even at a weekend clinic.

I see several of the MLB umpires using GD or a variation of it and I think the games i've watched they have been very good at "balls and strikes"

I know since i've gone to the GD its made a lot of difference in the way i feel in the late innings and after the game.

Thanks
David

Dan,

Good advice given by everyone here. The one additional piece of advice i'd suggest is putting your right hand somewhere around your knee. This may help stabilize your upper body and prevent drift.

I used to have my "non-slot" hand right around where you had it, and i didn't get a good lock-in on every pitch. I've since moved it to the knee (off to the side with thumb on top) and i've felt more solid in my stance.

You off hand placement isn't really wrong, but maybe you should try moving it just to help out your upper body stabilization.

Quite honestly,

What is the big deal with wristbands? I see tons of umpires wearing them, no one even gives a crap that iam wearing them either! They dont affect my performance, and i feel they help me. I do not wear them all the time but i see no harm in them. I want to know why you think they are unprofessional. I have seen them at LLWS, MLB, ad College.

This is exactly why I have disdain for Evans, and why I wouldn't attend one of his camps, clinics, classics, or schools if you paid my way there and back. It is this kind of "elitist" (to borrow Ray-Ray's term) mentality which pisses me off. I am sure that the jock sniffers will take exception with my opinion, but I don't really care. People who believe themselves to be superior to others, are in fact quite inferior in many ways.

Harry is a much better teacher, IMO, anyway.

Let's put the shoe on the other foor, Dan. How in the World can wearing wristbands help you as an umpire?


Tim.

Dan,

I watched your video, and I think for a beginner, you are heading in the right direction.

I would work on the following though,

1. Do not sit so far in the slot. You can set yourself behind the catcher more then what the video indicated, and still be positioned correctly.

2. I agree with the posters who have said not to point when calling strikes. I use to point, until this coming year. The reason behind the change....the "one right afte the other" two outs at the plate in the top of the 1st inning in game 1 of last years NLDS between the Mets and Dodgers....Because of John Hirschbeck's mechanics of calling strikes and already being "eyes toward the pitcher" he was ready and in position for both calls.

3. IMHO, the only time you want to point on strikes is on a dropped third strike that needs to be completed to first base, or a normal swing or miss strike.

4. Yes, loose the wrist bands.

5. Also, work on your voice control in your spare time as well. You want your tone to be loud enough to call strikes, but not so loud that you are calling your attention to yourself. Except, for when you are calling a batter out on the third strike.

6. Plus, also keep yourself open to trying different things. I watch alot of college games, MLB games, and minor league games in my home area during the season, and if I see something by an umpire that looks better, I try what I saw for two or three games or maybe up to a week to see if I like it or not.

Just a few thoughts. I hope this helps. Good Luck.

Dan, please find a pic of an MLB umpire with wristbands, that are not commemorative in any ways (ie- breast cancer, in memory of someone) and post it. I'd bet you'd have a tough time finding 2.


They don't match your uniform and are very unprofessional - get rid of them if you want to move up from little league. We're only trying to help you here. "Take the medicine"

Of course you're entitled to your opinion; however, I would hope that you haven't formed your opinion of Jim Evans solely, or even mostly, based on the kind of comments about him that have been made in this thread. Many of the statements I've read are not fully compatible with the Jim Evans I am familiar with. Some of his opinions and observations have been conveyed out of context, making him seem, as you say, elitist, which is just plain wrong. He has a dedication to excellence and a desire to share his knowledge that is the antithesis of elitist.

No, I didn't base it on the comments of this thread. These comments merely added to the perception I had already developed over the years. I have been listening to graduates of his school for years, most of whom couldn't umpire their way out of a pop can before attending the school. They come back as if they are now the cream of the crop all of a sudden, complete with chips on their shoulders, and high-and-mighty attitudes. Many of them start chuckin' coaches left and right, and always look for trouble.

I have learned a lot about umpiring from graduates of Harry's and Joe's over the years, but not much from Evans grads, as most I've seen just hold the fact that they are Evans grads over everybody's heads. Maybe it's different in other associations. This has just been my experience.

For the 1000th time, loose the wristbands.

I'm not completely sure, but it appears you might be using black ball bags. If that's the case, loose them as well -- get navy. If I'm wrong, disregard this.

Tuck in or cut off your mask's straps that are hanging out.

Also, I've picked a reference point three different times and not one of them is your head consistently in the same place.

Get a hair cut!

Hmmm,
 

I do not own navy ball bags. I have black and grey only.

Regards,

How are they "out of context" Dave?

I wouldn't wear grey ball bags if they were given to me as a gift. They look like an old pair of pants were cut up to make them. Blech.

LL-
As the instructors at Evans' said, "The big leaguers can do whatever they want; they're big leaguers. You, dear cadet, will do it this way until told otherwise. If ever."
Unless you have a pituitary problem, no wrist bands. (I have not witnessed your video. Good initiative though.)

What is wrong with black ball bags? Some associations require black bags and hats. Black ball bags go with black, cream, and MLB Lt. Blue shirts. Navy bags do not.

Get a haircut? Geez, you sound just like my old man!

One of the finest umpires I know has long red hair (in a braided ponytail), and a scraggly red beard. He has been very highly rated for many years. Nobody ever suggested he get a haircut, as he probably would have knocked them on their a$$ for asking him.

David
 

I am slightly confused by your statement:

Jim Evans has never been shy about #1. He says it at all clinics and makes a point of it.

I am confused about #2 as we discussed this issue very throughly on your private list serve group more than once. Jim Evans also said this (in print) to a few umpires in an e-mail to some of the posters on this site.

#3 was said in front of over 100 umpires at the Portland Evans camp last spring.

Now I do not want to define Jim Evans by these three statements but they are accurate, delivered in the context with which he used them and are accurately reported in this thread.

How have they been taken out of context?

Regards,

Sds:
 

In Portland your longhaired, ponytailed and with a beard would not work a playoff game in high school or be accepted into the college group.

Steve, I am just reporting facts here not jumping anyone in Sa Diego.

And I agree with SDS: navy bags do not go with black shirts, creme shirts and the Delta Blue black trimmed MLB shirts. BTW, we have both navy and black caps approved in our group.

Regards,

Well, fortunately for us, our assignment secretary recognizes talent, and hair just isn't a big issue. One guy runs the show here in San Diego, as far as assigning umpires go, and that guy is Bob Merchant, who doesn't give a rat's patuty what they do anywhere else.

The guy with the hair and beard has been umpiring top-level games since way before I ever started umpiring, and that's a while now.

Well, for example, when he was bashing "internet umpires," he specifically excluded me. :)

back to the navy bags part.... Those are black bags. so what. The look is even better then that of navy. Navy reminds me too much of softball- only. Black is acceptable, and ive seen more black then navy.

End of rant.

Thanks to those of you posting sensible comments.

:)

Dan, too many of your responses to the criticism you've invited end in "so what." True, most of the comments are fairly cosmetic in nature, but that's all we really had to work with from the short video we were provided.

Do you look more professional than the stereotypical Little League Smitty? Yes. Could you look better by ditching the sweatbands and wearing the appropriate color ballbags (gray or navy with a navy shirt)? Yes, and that's what people are telling you. Quit arguing with them and say thanks for the feedback.

But it's not because they don't match your hat, as the fashionista suggests,
correct ? :p

#1 was "He feels that the only people that can teach umpiring are professional umpires. In fact at all his clinics, classes and schools he makes fun of local trainers and calls them "Charlies" . . . all his instructor use the term freely also."

I think it would be more accurate to say he feels trainers should be professionally trained umpires, not strictly professional umpires. As evidence of this, I would point to his substantial contributions over the years to the development of umpire training in Little League.

#2 was "On more than one occasion Evans has intoned that "internet umpires" are a bunch of guys that cannot umpire and are basically "keyboard" umpires that couldn't work real games."

Garth Benham has made the distinction before between "umpires who work Little League" and "Little League umpires." Similarly, Jim is aware of and acknowledges the distinction between umpires who are on the internet vs. "internet umpires." He does not blindly stereotype us.

#3 was "He feels that umpires not trained by professional umpires are hurting the game of baseball and the future of umpiring." I've not heard him say that so I cannot comment other than to say I assume there was more to what he said on the subject than that single sentence, and therefore I would speculate that a more complete description would provide meaningful context. As I previously noted, Evans has made significant contributions to the development of training programs for amateur umpires in the Little League organization, which does not strike me as compatible with an attitude that the vast majority of youth, scholastic and amateur umpires out there who do not receive formal training from professional umpires, are "hurting the game." In addition, the tone he takes in his Pitching Regulations and Balk Videos clearly acknowledges the need for local umpire groups to provide guidance for rule sets such as high school in which the rules vary from what he is teaching.

Evans clearly has concerns that "any idiot" can come onto the internet and spout BS opinions and specious rulings that contribute to the general MISunderstanding of the game. But the universally dismissive attiude that is suggested by your comments, unamplified, is simply not, in my opinion, an accurate portrait of what and how he teaches umpiring.

id never wear them unless they were for a commemorative reason. i see the harm in them, in that you'd probably get docked points by an evaluator. from below freezing, to over 100 degrees, ive never considered wearing wristbands while umpiring.

you mentioned black hats but didnt say anything other than some requiring them. would you ever wear a black hat with a navy or powder (with navy trim) shirt? i kind of hope not, but im guessing you just didnt follow that point up.

how does black bags with a navy shirt, look better than navy bags with a navy shirt?

With regards to the comments about Jim Evans.........I remember a situation about 7-8 years ago at a tournament I was working.

My crew along with three other crews were in a rain delay, and we had the opportunity and honor to talk and chit chat (all of us umpires) with another MLB umpire that was on one of his vacation stints.

A member of my crew made a comment about another MLB umpire and the one were talking with did not take kindly too my partner's remarks and my partner justly found out quickly that was not the right thing to do in front of another MLB umpire.

My point, I do not believe Jim Evans, a fellow brother umpire, with an impressive resume like he has, is going to make comments like those indicated in earlier responses of this thread.

With that being said, if we are going to question comments made by a MLB umpire, we had better first get a better clarification (if this is possible) of their comments we heard before we go speaking so critically of a MLB umpire of his statue.

Think about these thoughts. Sooner or later the negative opinionated statements that we make in our lives come back to haunt us and normally happen at the time(s) we do not expect them, nor need them.

I never said it does.

I said i like black over navy. I have worn both. what is the big deal. NO ONE will care weather you are using gray, navy, or black ball bags. It is a personal decision by the umpire.

Ok,

Thanks for the feedback to those who responded. but i will not change the ball bag part.

The same discussion about ball bags/hats etc., is simultaneously occurring on the other forum, and I got hollered at for not mentioning gray bags over there.

If the ball bags are black, the hat should be black too. It should match the darkest color of the uniform shirt being worn.

If the ball bags are navy, the hat should be navy too. It should match the darkest color of the uniform shirt being worn.

If the ball bags are gray, the hat should match the darkest color of the uniform shirt being worn.

If the ball bags are Honig's leather, the hat should be a Nazi Gestapo officer's hat, with matching a$sless chaps!:D

No one will care, other than the evaluator who can affect what level of ball you will be working in the future.

Dan, I'd have to disagree with this statement. If you've paid attention for
the length of time you've been here, you've probably seen someone intone that how one looks when they take the field says a lot. Coaches and players
size you up from the start, making a judgement about you based on how you are dressed. Dirty shoes ? You look lazy. Too lazy to clean and shine them.
Wrinkled shirt ? Same. Lazy. Hat or ballbags that do not match your choice
of shirt color ? Stupid. Too stupid to be able to match colors.
Please bear in mind, I'm not calling names, just giving you an idea of what
can go through people's minds. Of course, I'm sure you don't care what they think.

Yes you did. In the quoted part of the post you replied to, you said "The look is even better then that of navy."

"I never said" is not a good defense if you have the memory of a goldfish.

Your right, i dont really care. they will think what they wanna think. I wear black ball bags and thats it.

And around here we do not have an "evaluator". We have an UIC. He does not care which of the 3 colors we use, but LL dress code specifically states we are allowed grey, navy, or black. I have chosen black. If we get a new regulation then i will be happy to meet it. I look professional.

You have now found my ignore list. You are an idiot.

It's not like Tee was posting hearsay. He was there.

Well, I tried. I won't make that mistake again. I think I'll join Rich.

JohnSandlin:
 

Do you walk in "lock step?"

I posted simply the truth that many, many others have heard (100 umpires in Portland alone).

God, what a ball licker!

Are you calling me a liar?

Regards,

Ok,
 

Dan you're gone!

Now make sure you tell us, "you don't care."

Regards,

Mr. Hensly:
 

My comments were complete and backed by other examples in Evans clinic.

Also, if you remember the umpire strike this last year, many, many Evans graduates commented the exact things I have said.

Christ Dave, Evans says these things over-and-over -- for you and Sandlin to protect him is silly. He wouldn't say these things unless he felt them.

Jim Evans wants to sell his school. Jim Evans has a very strong ethic for the people he trains. Jim Evans actually made fun of our "Charlie" (a life long umpire that has trained umpires for over 20 years).

You have the right to defend anyone you want . . . we have no respect for each other and that is fine . . . but Jim Evans does not need you to protect his comments.

Regards,

Tim,

1. I am not a ball licker. I have never met Jim Evans in my life, so I could not be a ball licker as you indicated. BTW, is this comment a little bit unprofessional and uncalled for?

2. I am not calling you a liar. I am merely saying before we go voicing our opinions about somebody such as Jim Evans or another Pro umpire, let us make sure we have our thoughts and facts straight. That is all I was saying. I did not hint nor call you a liar.

3. I do not walk in "lock step."

4. Happy New Year! and God Bless.

Pay attention in English class.

Really? I don't recall any of the MLB umpires wearing black ball bags with their navy shirt when they were part of their uniform. But, maybe that's just me.

If you really believe you look professional, why did you ask for comments on anything? In addition, after several people have tried to help you, and you fire back with the "so what, that's how I do it and I'm not changing" attitude. If that's the case, fine, you're not going to become a better umpire, therefore you won't move up -- but whatever. More so, why the hell even bother asking and wasting everyone's time?? What a waste of bandwidth!

Like the others, I am certainly done with this nonsense.

John:
 

Do me a favor . . . make sure you keep track of every major league crew rotation so none of us miss this important information.

Groupie!

I posted the truth and actually Dan I don't give a sh1t about what professional umpires do . . . you did question my quotes.

Oh yeah, I'm agnostic so the end of your post has no value too me.

Regards,

I own 3 ball bags, all blue. I use two for a game and the 3rd is a backup, an older bag I just haven't thrown away yet. It is a different brand than the other two, those are identical.

I only have navy, power blue, and cream shirts, so I dont' have to worry about what goes with black shirts, but according to some here I should be wearing black bags with the cream shirt.

Until this thread I never gave the bag color much of a thought. It's interesting though because I do give thought to mask color with shirt. I have three masks all with doeskin pads, black, navy and red. The navy shirt with red trim is the only one I will wear the red mask with. I wear the navy mask with navy or powder blue shirt, and the black mask is used with any of them. The black one is the only one with a hangy thingy on it so that sometimes plays into the decision on which to wear, ie who is catching today.

Last year I made a comment about the red mask with black harness and caught some crap from some posters here that the harness should be red. It was a color fashion statement that was like water on a duck's back for me. I could care less. I got the mask on tremendous sale, had a spare set of doeskins and a spare black harness and voila', an item I could use was born.

I have navy and black undershirts if I think they will be visible and when I know they will not be it don't matter. I have worn white under plate gear. I have one red undershirt and I only wear it if working a crew where all the base guys want to use red so I go along.

All my hats are blue. For cold weather my gloves are black and my cold gear for the head is navy (only worn on bases).

Tomorrow I will go back to not giving a thought about my ball bag color, because I only have three, they are all blue, I only use two of them, and nobody I know personnally cares.... To each his own, unless you are trying to impress someone else.

Get A Clue...
 

Hey all,

Dan, let me 'splain something to you.....
1. I am a UIC for our local LL, which leads to #2.
2. The reason he doesn't care which of the three colors you use is because he is trying to make sure their are enough umpires for the games. If he said you could only wear grey shirts, then he would lose umpires who don't want to come out of their own pocket to buy something.
3. GROW THE F#CK UP! Some of these umpires have been doing it for longer than you have been alive.
4. You look nothing like a professional umpire. As said MANY times before, LOSE THE WRISTBANDS, cut the straps on your mask, match your colors of ball bags and shirts and hats. I didn't notice on the video so I won't even go into the appropriate color of undershirt for each shirt.
5. Learn the difference between an umpire who does LL, and a LL umpire.
6. You ask this group for comments, you will get, for the most part, correct comments.

LomUmp:cool:

no need to go into undershirt color. Red or Blue for navy, blue for light blue shirt.

and to lastly clarify something- our local association hats are black, not navy.

I'll bet the UIC of this league doesn't much care what colors his umpires wear either.

http://www.westlafayettelittleleague.org/umpire.jpg


Dan, you're really making an @$$ out of yourself by not at least listening to the advice you're being given. You've still haven't explained to me how wearing those ridiculous wrist bands helps you as an umpire.


Tim.

Hey all,

And to clarify, do you belong to the local association?

If you do, hasn't anyone in said association had a talk with you that sounds something like this thread?

LomUmp:cool:

After he explained that he doesn't have an evaluator and that he has only a UIC, I have to think he's not being honest when he says he belongs to an association. Most associations don't allow 15 year old members.


Tim.

Well, for someone who cares so much about mask pad color, it seems odd that you would ignore common sense fashion (as well as the MLB example set), and wear navy ball bags with a cream shirt. Cream shirt, black bags and hat. That is just the way it's done here on this planet. Any association authorizing cream shirts would definitely call for black ball bags and hats.

Only because the trim on the cream shirt is black. If it were navy, then navy hat and ballbags would be appropriate. For the cream shirt I have, and the only one I've seen, the trim is black and therefore the ballbags and hat should be black.

The color of protective equipment - mask, chest protector, shinguards - is not part of the standard fashion dictates, although I suppose it would be possible to come up with something bizarre enough to be considered a no-no in the mask/pad/harness combination, if one were trying really hard.

I thought that kind of went without saying. The only cream shirts on the market have black trim.

As said before, nobody is out here to give you bad advice. If you want to move past LL, "TAKE THE MEDICINE!"

Tim,

Yes I do belong to the LL D13 Umpire Assoc. I have copys of the bylaws, and get emailed our news letters, go to the meetings, and pay $15 dues each season. The bylaws were changed before i came along to allow anyone to join. for instance, there is a 16 Yr. old girls who regularly umpires, and yes shes in uniform..daaadeeedaa..and all that. But i think you guys over react to such a minor thing. To explain my thoughts on wristbands....they do help with sweat. but anyhow, i still dont get the whole ball bag issue. our district hats are black(not navy). No one really gives a $hit which of the three colors you are using. all go well with what color. MiLB- sure they are professionals, but still wear BLACK. Now, can we please move on with our life?

Dan, it's not what you don't know that bothers me; it's what you know for sure that just ain't so.

Then why did you ask for opinions?

As long as you are at the level you are at, then the wristbands and ball bag colors don't matter. The coaches, fans, other umpires, UIC know you for your umpiring and "look past" these items.

But, the first time you try to move up, these items will become an issue. Coaches, players, etc. will be more likely to accept your call on your first "banger" if you look the part, and more likely to challenge it if you don't.

For what its worth...I have worn black ball bags no matter what color shirt I wore...including my professional career...and I was never deducted on any evaluation for wearing such bags. (For what its worth I have never owned, nor worn a cream, grey or red shirt.)

A quick survey of the pictures at

http://www.umpirepictures.com/

showed that some international league umpires wore black bags with their navy shirt, while others wore navy bags with their navy shirt.

Personally, I like black shoes, black belt, black bags, black mask and black indicator. I just think they all tie in nicely together. I know some use a metal (silver) indicator, or navy belt and/or bag etc. But to steal a line from Wesley Snipes, with me, always bet on black.

P.S. Lose the damn wristbands.

I can't take it!
 

I've been trying to keep silent for a while now, but this is too much...

Dan, please, for the love of all that's holy, lose the freakin wristbands. Just about everyone here has told you this, but you "don't care."

You seem to back up all of your shortcomings with "around here, nobody says anything." So grasshopper, if a pitch hits the batters hand and you don't call 'Time', is that OK because nobody says anything? This argument is weak at best.

If you desire to move up to Sr LL, then HS, then maybe NCAA, learn to take advice. Notice I didn't say criticism. People here are giving you the advice for which you asked.

After you work a game, do you ever ask for feedback from a veteran? If this is how you respond to said feedback, soon, you'll get the "you're doin fine" routine, but you won't improve.

Sheesh!

OK, i admit im sorry i have been hasty here.

I will get stop wearing the wristbands, but the black bags are here to stay, as there is evidence here that black bags are acceptable. My shoes are black, my hat is black, my belt is black, and so are my ball bags. :)

Can I get an amen from the bobbleheads?

http://bobblesandmore.com/sitebuilde...ire-91x194.jpg

I am 16, almost 17...I joined my local assoc. when I was 14...also, I have never seen anyone wear wristbands in my association, except a few of us elected to wear black bands after the passing of one of our members who was a regular at the park where I work...also, most associations offer a black hat and a navy hat...I am ABUA registered, and have both colors of hats...for league play we use whatever color hats the particular league has, but for non-league tournaments, our association hats come in black or navy...

OK, we've got you 95% of the way there. Now trade in that navy shirt for a black or cream shirt, and you'll finally be completely and accurately color coordinated.

they shouldnt be if you wear navy shirts

we can debate all we want about ball bags...but im pretty sure there is no debate that wearing black hats with a navy shirt is incorrect. your UIC should order the right color hats.

Yes, I thought that was a bit of a paradox also, although, like I said, I haven't given ball bag color a thought until this thread. And the games I do in cream are excellent summer league games with players home from college, in the heat of the summer. There is no association, they call, I go because it pays well and the play is excellent and the cream shirt helps with the heat index. The planet comment is just stupid.

black or cream is not permitted according to dress code. Navy or Light Blue

But wristbands are ?? :rolleyes:

Useless information added --
 

I’ve never seen so much discussion on shirt/cap color or whether wearing wrist bands make you a bad umpire. But since I have some time on my hands and I like to hear myself talk I’ll have a go at it.

I think that if you work for an association that allows you to dress like a clown then you should feel no pressure not to do so. I’ve never seen an umpire wear wrist bands but I have seen one wear a small soccer style shin guards on his arms to protect them from foul balls or missed pitches. I’ve not seen one wear a black cap/black ball bag with navy or light blue shirts but what the heck, there’s a first time for everything.

Here’s what I wear (I’m sure you all care:) ).

Navy blue shirt - red Mock Neck under - navy blue or grey bag - navy blue cap

Light Blue shirt (Red/white/blue stripes) - navy blue Mock Neck under – navy blue bag – navy Blue cap.

Light Blue shirt (navy stripes) - navy blue Mock Neck under – navy blue bag – navy Blue cap.

Red shirt - navy blue Mock Neck under – navy blue bag – navy Blue cap

Cream shirt (black stripes) - black Mock Neck under – black bag – black cap

Black shirt (white stripes) - white Mock Neck under – black bag – black cap

Grey plate pants when I’m working the plate & grey base pants when I’m on bases (no combos)

Highly shined shoes (sometimes the patent leather ones)

Shined belt (sometimes the patent leather one)

Compression pants

For cold days, very few of those here, I wear either a plate pullover or regular pullover.

Black socks only

A cup (even on bases) and the proper plate equipment (obviously only when working the plate)

Wow, that was fun :D

No.

More importantly, who are these people:

http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e1..._babes1-vi.jpg

And who is roscopcoltrane01?

And what is your fascination with police cars and uniforms?

What do you mean? Your post was going along so well, then you had to call my comment stupid. It is not stupid, just because you say it is. What is stupid is leaving a statement like this to stand by itself without explanation, as if its very existence equaled proof of its validity.

Stupid is as stupid does. Setting yourself up as a planet spokeserson is...

DG:

Other than LLDan do you know of any decent umpire on this planet that would purposely wear navy ball bags with a cream colored shirt?


Tim.

Again, saying my comment was stupid doesn't make it stupid. I didn't call you stupid in my post. I just wondered why (on earth?) you would wear navy ball bags with a cream shirt, which is bordered with black trim. You are the one dropping the "S" bomb, which I don't fuggin appreciate, Bud.