Balkin' Bob Davidson...

[Rich]

Originally Posted by UMP25

You've got to be kidding.

Nope. It's for show. Unless there's an imminent play, it's for show.

You are the only one at the park bothered by Davidson not removing his mask. Unless there's another anal umpire type there, of course.

[SanDiegoSteve]

I always felt it was much easier to run quickly without the mask on, so I remove it as soon as possible after the ball is hit or some kind of play happens. I think it looks queer to be running all over the place with a mask/helmet bobbing up and down, when its only purpose is to protect your face from pitched balls. Why would one want to leave it on, Rich?

I'm far from anal, but I would rate Davidson down for running with his mask just as Randy did.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

Nope. It's for show. Unless there's an imminent play, it's for show.

You are the only one at the park bothered by Davidson not removing his mask. Unless there's another anal umpire type there, of course.

I disagree. I know of coaches who consider taking the mask off as an element of hustle and being focused and who feel free to comment when they don't see it.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by GarthB

I disagree. I know of coaches who consider taking the mask off as an element of hustle and being focused and who feel free to comment when they don't see it.

I'm just questioning the practice like any good student would. Mine comes off all the time. It's habit, though, nothing more.

Breaking in a new mask tomorrow, matter of fact.

[TussAgee11]

UMP25 - Hope you stayed out of the wind!

I watched the game on TV, and I saw some of the things you are talking about. Of course TV doesn't show you umpires rotating. It was also really windy and he was constantly holding down his throat protector to his chest. Looked really bad.

A couple more comments on the game.

On the A-Rod play at 2nd (where he was called out by a traling U1). Can you explain to me how U1 was so far out of postion? It took him as long to run 75 feet as it took A-Rod to jog 90 and sprint 90. And he was on the outside, the play did not unfold in front of him. He got the call wrong, mainly I feel, because this lack of concentation (from the replays he did bust his butt to get to 2nd, but I don't understand WHY he was so late.

[UMP25]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

A couple more comments on the game.

On the A-Rod play at 2nd (where he was called out by a traling U1). Can you explain to me how U1 was so far out of postion? It took him as long to run 75 feet as it took A-Rod to jog 90 and sprint 90. And he was on the outside, the play did not unfold in front of him. He got the call wrong, mainly I feel, because this lack of concentation (from the replays he did bust his butt to get to 2nd, but I don't understand WHY he was so late.

Wrong game. That was the previous night, Wednesday.