Balloon Protector
 

This past weekend in a 14-U Grand Slam World Series tournament, the UIC demanded the PU remove his balloon protector and change into a more conventional inside protector. The UIC defended his actions by saying there was a negative perception concerning the PU using the "pillow." I am curious as to your thoughts on the actions of the UIC. :)

Whether I thought it looked good, right, or not, etc.....I would not go on the field in the middle of a game (what I am gathering from the wording), or go to him just before a game, and tell him period not to use a balloon protector.

That is his decision as an umpire as to what to use for protection. Furthermore, the UIC had to have known prior to this tournament, that this umpire used a balloon type protector, thus I think there is an underline issue between these two that people may not know about.

From what you posted...........it sounds a power trip shot by the UIC.

Mr. UIC and myself would have big problems !!!!
 

edit

(Because I know someone will), why is coach outside on the bucket? :p

how did i know.......
 

I knew that was coming.If they don't become part of the game,i don't mind,but i know in ALOT of guys eyes on here,that makes me less of an ump.So i just laugh.

If and when I start working the black and blue again, you betch I'm gonna get myself a balloon. Why get hit and or injured simply because some kid can't catch, well pitch, field, hit and throw also:eek:

Nice t-Shirt to go with the balloon though

black and blue?
 

........it's a ua shirt

Yeah, black and blue... because you have so many bruises, (black and blue) all over you body:D But they do turn such a lovely shade of green's and yellow as they age!

got ya.....
 

Myself and several guys use the balloons here in MS.We don't use them in H.S or Juco or any college games during the reg or playoff season.It makes me laugh to see guys get on here and pile on about the balloons.

Just as others laugh at you for looking like you stepped out of a time machine to call a game, I applaud you for not caring what they think......


Tim.

Jocko Conlan is in the Hall of Fame. He wore the balloon in the National League when no one else did.

the raft must be quite a bit cooler as well.

Jim,

I'm all in favor of a small ball umpire using a raft to keep himself from getting beat to death behind the plate.

Tim.

I still don't understand the big friggin' deal about the buckets. They have never bothered me in the least. It's business as usual out here for buckets (at least it was, I hear they clamped down on them now in punk as$ HS baseball, silly little girly rules that they have). Ball hits a bucket or hits a coach, play on McDuff. Big whoop. If nobody from either team has a problem with the buckets, that's how we play it.

IMO, making coaches sit in the cramped, B.O.-filled dugout instead of on a nice, out in the open air bucket is a prime example of an OOO with nothing better to do than play cop.

I don't really care about the balloon but why aren't you wearing a proper shirt? :)