I'm used to seeing you in a tan uniform, Deputy Fife. JK look good kid. Nothing wrong with thin.

Nothing at all. Less wear and tear on the legs and back and heart when the weight is down.

I think I have spent at least 30 years trying to either get thin or remain somewhere near thin. I see buddies who used to be rail thin 20 or so years ago who are now considerably heavier than I am now that we're in our early 50s. I watch things carefully and do a fair amount of exercise to remain at my playing weight of 200 (6'0''), while they kick back and soar right past me. I can also still run pretty fast and throw pretty well, which is something that none of my old buddies can still do.

So, if you're predisposed to being thin: all the power to you!

195 lbs. dripping wet - 1990

http://i451.photobucket.com/albums/q...e/A_edited.jpg

Yep, there's a lot to say about genetics especially once we age and metabolism catches up with us. during the season, I try not to eat right before a game/games due to a few close digestive calls over my career. somehow, i managed to lose 15-20 pounds in the process...only happend this year though...my wife thinks I have a tapeworm! (joking about the worm, but no offense to anybody who's had the condition)

Pellegrino instead of Sprite; Power Bars instead of Butterfingers; apples instead of muffins ...

Excellent example of what I was talking about. I can't wait to see the same pose when you get back there! Still have the Elbeco??

I can give you the same pose now, but I'd look like Alfred Hitchcock! No, the shirts became rags many years ago.

Lost 30 myself since last summer. had to buy alot of new pants, but glad i saved the ones that were tight. Just gained 6 on a cruise, gotta get that off. Feel good at 6-2 and 207

Grayslake Central HS vs Wauconda HS

Gentlemen,

Thank you, one and all, for your comments.

Kevin,

Why Thank You! :o Coming from a "gear junkie" such as yourself, high praise indeed. The pants are actually the GD pants. The ball bags are the new Dri-Lo from the ABUA store. (I wear a Honig's K1 CP if anyone GAS.) I have, in fact, been complemented on my hustle on occasion.

The look on the batter's face in the 1st picture I found "priceless".

Forest (et al),

This is the 3rd pair of plate pants I have acquired in my brief umpiring career, and the first I had properly hemmed. Who knew "umpire fashion" was so complicated?

SD Steve,

My association, well, more properly, the IHSA was as well until the pre-season "certified" clinic held last year (i.e., spring of 2008) when the state clinician said that we could wear any color as long as we "matched". Prior to that, HS was Navy shirts and hats, heather pants. (This may not have been strictly adhered to by all members at all times.)

My association emphasizes "professionalism", part of which is being properly attired for the game - as a crew. Navy is still the all-purpose "fall back" color for any game at any level.

Ozzy,

When I was taught, I was taught NOT to turn my head to the side, so, that's how I started. I saw some pix. Looked kind of "dorky". Had some evaluations done. Evaluators gave me suggestions to change, because apparently they thought it looked dorky too (though they were too polite to use that word). Finally, worked a HS DH with a senior, highly respected guy in the association. I asked him what he had for me after my plate game. He said, "I know why you're doing it, but it doesn't look good on you to do it that way." He kind of showed me how to do it so I looked more athletic, confident, and decisive.

I have found that the trick to not "missing anything" when you turn your head is "timing". Always make sure you've seen what you need to see before doing something. You do have to be "focused" in that regard.

DonInKansas,

The pictures were taken by my brother and nephew who both have kind of "fancy" digital SLR cameras. Long lenses, high-res, very "fast" shutters/lenses/CCDs, and continuous frame shooting. Between the two of them, I got about 400 pictures during about 4 innings of that game.

Forest,

I went with "Strike Three!"

http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m...kAndPunch2.jpg

DG,

You sound like my mother, bless her soul!

I don't much care for beans. A good cheeseburger I do. I have a taller, slender build and, apparently, a high metabolism. What can I say?

bobby,

I'm wearing a "standard" 1 3/4" black leather umpire belt, from Honig's, I believe. So, I don't think that's it. Definitely some "bunching" going on with the bag loops. I'll work on it. Thanks.

LDUB,

You are correct, this is a regular season HS Varsity game. The answer to your second question is that the "FED illegal" head gear on the green catcher was apparently invisible to the PU. Until I got home and saw the pics. Then it kind of jumped off the computer screen at me. I can't believe I didn't notice that during the game! Live and learn.

I was curious how long it would be before somebody noticed.

Ozzy,

As I'm sure you already know, such cosmetic endeavors are only for pussies who can't handle reality. ;)

In closing, thanks again to everyone for their comments.

JM

I don't know ... that powdery dry matte black finish goes over big with the ladies, I hear.

I thought those were the Davis pants when I first saw them. Mainly because the Honigs poly-wools don't have the center belt loop in the back.

I was thinking strike when I saw it too. I call a low strike too and everybody knows it.

Definitely a strike height wise.

The Davis pants have THREE belt loops in the center back.