For all those thinking you DON'T need to have an indicator on the bases

[BigTex]

Originally Posted by ASA/NYSSOBLUE

Sam Holbrook, Rob Drake and Cowboy Joe show why you need one - even in the bigs

All because Andy Fletcher broke his wrist working the plate yesterday

Nice to see Cowboy Joe uses the small metal clicker...

Take a look at Fletcher getting hit. If he does not move and pull his arm in to "protect" himself, he takes it on the chest protector. Trust your gear.

[briancurtin]

Originally Posted by BigTex

Take a look at Fletcher getting hit. If he does not move and pull his arm in to "protect" himself, he takes it on the chest protector. Trust your gear.

It's easier said than done. I was a catcher up through college and have been blocking balls in the dirt for most of my life. Put me behind the plate and bury a curve 6 inches inside and it's coming straight at me and a few things will happen. If the catcher has a good read on it and is already moving over, then I can hold my ground. If it looks like he's just going to wave at it, I'll still try to hold my ground but you might get a flinch here and there. It just happens. Anyone who says they always stay in on every pitch every time forever no matter what probably does not do that.

On Sunday I took an untouched pitch to the shoulder. I would have liked to have moved out of the way for that one but somehow the catcher got crossed up and didn't even come close to getting a glove on it. It rushed up and in pretty quick and got me.

[lawump]

I need an indicator on the bases as much as I need a brush on the bases. After all, I never know when I may have to sweep off the pitcher's plate.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by lawump

I need an indicator on the bases as much as I need a brush on the bases. After all, I never know when I may have to sweep off the pitcher's plate.

I hope you wear 3 ball bags on the bases to carry the brush and your Official Rosin Bag, plus all the returned foul balls that come in. What kind of base umpire are you anyway?

[briancurtin]

I thought ball bags on the bases were for holding all of the snacks?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by briancurtin

I thought ball bags on the bases were for holding all of the snacks?

I keep those in my purse.

[RPatrino]

Originally Posted by GROUPthink

I keep those in my purse.

Group, I always thought you weren't 'quite right'...

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

I hope you wear 3 ball bags on the bases to carry the brush and your Official Rosin Bag, plus all the returned foul balls that come in. What kind of base umpire are you anyway?

And make sure you go tell the new pitcher how many outs there are and where the runners are, cause new pitchers can't see them.

[jicecone]

And don't forget to give the count to the PU after every pitch as you stand directly behind the pitcher in the BC Position.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by jicecone

And don't forget to give the count to the PU after every pitch as you stand directly behind the pitcher in the BC Position.

And don't forget to ask the shortstop and second baseman (and the center fielder, too) if your position is OK with them when you're working inside the diamond.

Worked a game this season with an umpire I had never met before. After the plate conference, he headed towards third base. Was so intrigued by his path to short right field, I didn't even bother to look at some of the warmup pitches (I usually look at the middle four pitches -- two from each side). He stopped at third, carefully brushed off the base, went to second and did the same, and then went and did the same to first base. After the top of the first, he went to the pitcher's plate and did the same thing. I was so inspired, I used my plate shoe to clean the plate the entire game.

[TwoBits]

On a side note, do you think Joe West is contractually obligated to wear his plate gear so the Wilson and West Vest logos are clearly visible to the TV cameras?