Some recent pix....

[bobbybanaduck]

Nice pics, JM. The only thing I've got for you appearance-wise is a suggestion to get yourself a wider belt. Your belt should be as wide as your belt loops will allow. Using the wider one will help prevent your ball bag(s) from bunching up like in the photos I left in below. Have a nice day!

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by bobbybanaduck

Nice pics, JM. The only thing I've got for you appearance-wise is a suggestion to get yourself a wider belt. Your belt should be as wide as your belt loops will allow. Using the wider one will help prevent your ball bag(s) from bunching up like in the photos I left in below. Have a nice day!

I don't think it's the belt or the ball bag. It's the umpire. He's too damn skinny!

[LDUB]

This is a HS game with FED rules correct? If so why is the catcher wearing that skull cap and mask?

[SanDiegoSteve]

His belt looks like it's a full 1-3/4" wide to me. It goes from the top of the loop to the bottom, and I don't think a wider belt would fit the loops.

[umpjong]

Originally Posted by LDUB

This is a HS game with FED rules correct? If so why is the catcher wearing that skull cap and mask?

I'm betting JUCO boys......

[briancurtin]

Originally Posted by umpjong

I'm betting JUCO boys......

Grayslake Central HS vs Wauconda HS

[UmpJM]

Gentlemen,

Thank you, one and all, for your comments.

Kevin,

Lookin' sweet, JM!...

Why Thank You! 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),

...It's good to see you have them hemmed properly. ...

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 is still in the dark ages and requires Navy shirts, hats and ball bags for all high school games.

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,

....even though there are those of the newer thought processes in my association that feel turning the head is incorrect.

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,

...Excellent camerawork as well--With the shot of the ball in flight that's no normal point n' shoot.

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'm going with "BALL".

I went with "Strike Three!"



DG,

You too skinny, make some of us look bad. Eat some beans...

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,

...The only thing I've got for you appearance-wise is a suggestion to get yourself a wider belt. ... Using the wider one will help prevent your ball bag(s) from bunching up like in the photos I left in below. ...

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,

This is a HS game with FED rules correct? If so why is the catcher wearing that skull cap and mask?

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,

Gonna need a little Grecian Formula for the "snow cap", there buddy boy!

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

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

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.

[DG]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

I went with "Strike Three!"

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

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

Ozzy,

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

Well, I still have a full head of hair, more gray then brown. When it goes all gray it stays that way, if it falls out, who cares?

Great shots, JM! Yeah, I wondered about F2's helmet too.

[LDUB]

Originally Posted by Umpmazza

what frickin difference does that make?

The rules on what is legal.

Originally Posted by Umpmazza

I have umpired alot of D-II games and see catchers wearing buckets...

Good for you.

[JR12]

Originally Posted by bobbybanaduck

Nice pics, JM. The only thing I've got for you appearance-wise is a suggestion to get yourself a wider belt. Your belt should be as wide as your belt loops will allow. Using the wider one will help prevent your ball bag(s) from bunching up like in the photos I left in below. Have a nice day!

belt looks wide enough, just need to pull back the bag. Eat a cheese burger! Nice pics!