3-man mechanics questions

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Chris_Hickman

I think you only use those rotations when you umpire games in England!!

Heh. Yes, I'm still in England. It's been 15 days since I was home. I umpired 14 games in the 3-umpire system last week in the Netherlands and 8 the previous weekend in Florida, so I think I'm more adept at 3-man now than 2-man. It's really a great system and the CCA mechanics are fantastic. The part I like best (with good baseball) is not sending someone out on routine fly balls -- it keeps 3 umpires in the infield and doesn't turn every fly ball into 2-man.

Fortunately for me my season has 5 games left and then I can put away the gear and work football. I'll miss baseball, but I'm a 3-sport official and I don't normally mix the seasons.

Oh, Chris, you'll be glad to know that the plate shoes I bought from you ended up being a gift to a Dutch umpire who hosted me in his home for a week. I find them the most comfortable shoes that I've ever owned, but he needed a new pair of plate shoes and coincidentally, we have the same size foot. Also, the Reeboks don't clean up as well as I'd like and I'm hoping that there's a newer version next year that doesn't use the suede-like material on the side panels. Since I also have a new pair of Honig's plates and I only have 2 plate jobs left, I'll be OK. I also sold my low profile titanium mask to someone for 100 euro -- next season or when they're put on sale (if ever) I'll buy a regular profile one. Love the mask - hate the low profile. Also gave an umpire my WV Gold. I got 3 years use from it and only paid $100 for it. So I'll be in the market for a new protector, too. At least my luggage came in under the weight limit.

[DonInKansas]

.....or he got mugged by an umpiring street gang and is trying to cover it up. Whichever.