Hey Ump are you blind?
 

Hello everyone.

I wear glasses and I correct to 20/20 or slightly better with them, but because of a fogging problem from time to time I'm thinking of getting Lasik surgery. I'm nearsighted with some astigmatism so I know I will need to wear reading glasses if I do get the Lasik surgery. As far as contac lenses go... I have tried to wear them but they bother my eyes too much. :( I was wondering if anyone who is nearsighted has had lasik eye surgery and if their vision is negatively affected at the distance that's required from behind the plate. Thanks for any feedback.

Can't wait to late March to get back at the ole' ball park. ... Al

Word to the wise...

If you fix your blindness, we'll have to kick you out of the umpires club.

Im sorry, its a little harsh, but thems the rules.

You have just reminded me how much I have missed this board. :)

It's just the perception of being blind that I'm concerned about as people see me cleaning the fog off my glasses... especially if I just finished making a call that was close! I'm just joking of course! ..Al

:) :) :) :) :) :) I call the mens game at the top level in New Zealand
:) I had lasik surgery 2 years ago and was the same as you near sighted with asitgmatism .
I dont need any reading glasses and can see very clearly .
I would reccommend to anyone to get this surgery done .
It not only gives you better eyesight but gives you confidence in all walks of life .
Well it did to me .
Best money I have ever spent .

Thanks Debeau,

It sounds like you have chosen the mono-vision option, where one eye is corrected for close and the other for distance. The doctor said my distance vision would be only slightly compromised with the mono-vision option. He said if I choose to correct both eyes for distance my close range vision would be much more compromised and without reading glasses I would have a difficult time reading small print like that of a newspaper. Wearing reading glasses doesn't bother me, but I can't wear them on the ball field. :) So what I am concerned about is how I would see from the range behind the plate when calling balls and strikes if I correct both eyes for distance?

Strike three...yer out!

Wait a minute Ump, how could that be a strike it hit the the on deck batter???

Sorry, I forgot to put my reading glasses on... :)

Damned if I know what surgery I had but it is good .
Think how many umps need reading glasses and dont use them on the diamond so I dont think it will effect your calling (well hopefully it will improve)
At least I dont get the comment
" Hey blue are your glasses fogged up"
HOWEVER I find after wearing glasses for 45 years and not being able to wear "fasion" sunglasses until the last 2 years I have a thing for sunglasses and have about ten pairs .:cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:

Good info about eye surgery. What is basic overall cost? Recovery time? Eyes sensitive to light after surgery? Any follow up visits?
Thank you,
Sam

:D I know people who have had this surgery including umpires. There are no guarantees. One guy can see better during the day, but has problems under the lights.

Others have had complete success while one individual swears it helped only a little inspite of what the doctor says.

Personally, I have an astigmatism and this is the first year I have worn glasses full time. While I was expecting a fair amount of ribbing on and off the field from players and coaches, not one word was said to me the entire year by a player, coach or fan.

Guess they figured I was just as bad with them as without so any comments would be a waste of time :D

Hey Sam,

The cost per eye where I was thinking of having it done is a flat $2,000 per eye, which includes follow ups. I think there are two follow ups. One in a few months and one a year later. If any tweaking is needed it is also included in his fee. I have been given quotes from two other doctors that are both about a two hour drive from my home. Both gave me a less expensive quote. The lowest one was out of Nashville TN. and depending on the amount of correction needed had a top charge per eye of $1,600 and a minium charge of $700. All of the Lasik surgery I have quoted is for (custom view, which is suppose to be top of the line) However, those two lower quotes were made on the phone so I really don't know for sure if there would be some other costs explained to me once I got there. You know the old bait and switch type of thing. Problems are very rare. but as with any surgery there could be complications. But if all goes well there is very little recovery time. The Dr. said most of his people go to work the next day. As far as night vision goes... some people (with small pupils) may get some halos around lights. After all the tests the Dr. said in my case halos should not accur and my night vision would most likely be improved vs. regular glasses. ...

I guess the cost is a little high... but buying new glasses every couple of years or so with the eye exams and all isn't cheap either. :( ... Al

Cost here in New Zealand was $4500 for both eyes so do your maths re exchange rate .
I do notice I have a little difficulty seeing really well or reading under dull light .
Had a halo problem for about 3 months but now is all fine .
Cost just wasnt an option .
To wake up and see properly without glasses and see my grandkids when the visit and jump all over me was worth the cost .
Dont regret the cost one bit .

I had Lasik 3 years ago and it is great. I got both eyes corrected for distance and do have to wear reading glasses. Only problem is reading my indicator up close.
I also wear sun glasses. Sometimes they do fog up behinfd the plate but I was told about a fix that really works:
Take a very small amount of dish washing detergent and rub it on the lenses, then wipe it off with a dry paper towel. That slight coating doesn't effect your visoin as all but does prevent the fogging.

Thanks bigsig,

That's exactly what I was hoping to hear. I want the very best possible correction for distance, as long as I can see well enough at the distance required behind the plate to catch the corners ect. especially if umpiring baseball. I really won't mind needing reading glasses for small print up close. And I'm sure I will be able to read my indicator when not held too close. And thanks for the information about the dish washing detergent. I'll try that too. On someone's advice I tried cleaning my glasses with shaving cream which seemed to help some but only for a short period of time.

Nothin like fun at the ole' ball park! ...Al

I think there might be a difference in the understanding of the term "distance". If you cannot see the outside corners of the plate, you may need more than surgery, like say maybe a cane. :D

I'm surprised someone hasn't developed an indicator in braille.

However, back to the reading glasses. If one was concerned about a reaction by the teams, I'd rather wear glasses/contacts full-time than deal with the need to pull out a pair of reading glasses every time there was the need to make a line-up change :) or read the rule when the coach brings the book onto the field :eek: Oh boy, here we go.......:o

POS already makes one!! I have one, does that say anything???

http://www.pluspos.com/product.asp?which=261

Hey Mike,

When I said "catch the corners" I meant to see the ball clearly enough so as to have a good clear view of where the ball was when it started to pass over the plate.

You make a good point about the line up card and reading the rule book on the field. Since my regular glasses are bi-focals I've never had any problems reading my rule book, or anything with small print. But if I try to read the small print of the USSA rule book without looking through the reading lens of my glasses it's fairly difficult because I have to hold the book at a distance. This of couse is something that I don't want to happen on the field, especially if there is a heated situation going on with a coach. I'm not really sure what coaches, or anyone else, for that matter may think if they see a umpire needs glasses to read a rule book... :) Maybe that mono-vision (one eye for close, one for distance) is a better option. Thanks, ...Al

Maybe I need one of those Dave...and I hope to find a giant print rule book as well... :)

Hey Ump, it's written right here...

Hold on coach, I have my own rule book!!! :)

You can always get a pair of no-line bifocal sunglasses... they won't be able to tell that they aren't just regular sunglasses! (They might begin to wonder when you wear sunglasses under the lights, though!) ;)

BTW, messing with your eyes with a laser is a one-shot deal. I surely hope you are discussing ALL of these issues with your Dr. In addition to the near vs distance issue, there is the vision under the lights issue and the binocular vision (depth perception) issue.

Now

Just who/what sez I have to see anything? I just have to call 'em.

Try this stuff here. Funny name, but it works great for eliminating fogging on glasses. Also works great on goggles (workshop, skiing, hunting, swimming, etc). You can usually find it in sporting goods stores, usually near the sunglasses or skiing stuff for about $4 a container.

Somehow, the thought of putting cat crap near my eyes is very disconcerting. :cool:

A slight hijack.....
 

I have been told by several veterans (whose opinions I respect) in my area that one of the "little" things that makes you appear to be a better umpire is not constantly looking at your indicator for the count, outs, or clearing it after a play. Several of these umpires have taken a file and carved a notch in the wheels at the zero point so that they can clear their indicator without looking at it.

I don't know how prevalent this philosophy is in other areas, but I have heard it from enough different people that I try to follow it.

Is this from the Louis Carroll school of umpiring? You're required to carry an indicator, but you're not allowed to look at it?

I don't doubt that you're correct, it just seems a bit nutty.

Hi Dakota,

I want to thank you and all the umpires for the good imput and advice. And for all the good threads I am catching up on. You guys are great and I'm thankful to have access to this site.

My Eye Dr. asked me what was the most important thing I am looking to acheive from Lasik surgery...and I told him I do some umpiring and I want the very best sight for distance, but not if it would hinder calling balls and strikes. That's when he said in my case, since my non dominant eye has only a slight astigmatism and does not need too much correction the mono vision option may be the way to go since it wouldn't take much away from my distance yet it would allow much clearer vision up close for reading. He seems to think I would be happier with the mono correction. As far as the lights he said my pupils are big and halo's would most likely be a non issue. I will ask him about depth perception, but I think that's something that just takes a little time to get use to. Thanks, ...Al

There is nothing wrong with learning how to become part of your indicator. OTOH, there is nothing wrong with checking a tool of the trade to make sure you have properly reset your indicator. One of the first things I tell new umpires is to get an indicator, go home and sit in front of the TV watching a baseball game with an indicator in the left hand. Try to keep count with the HP umpire without constantly looking at the indicator.

And I suggest you learn to read it from an arm's length. Nothing tips off the teams and evaluators to a rookie quicker than the umpire frequently bringing the indicator up to eye-level.

As I understand the physiology of depth perception, we use the slightly different perspective of our two eyes to judge distance (have you ever seen the old Viewmaster child's 3D viewer? It works because each eye is looking at a slightly different picture). If you have one eye that can see distance and another that can see close, then maybe depth perception will be a problem. But, I'm no expert in this stuff...

I have taken the notch idea one step further. I take a black sharpie and put marks that equal the number that is showing. This way, the count is showing without having to open the palm of my hand. I just glance down at the top of my hand. This why I like to use an indicator that has white ball and strike wheels on the top.

This also helps at night, when the numbers are more difficult to see.

Heck, Mike, I'd need my reading glasses to be able to read the indicater closer than arm's length! http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/co...smiley-020.gif

Another tip: Try adjusting your mask with your left hand. It's a great way to look at your indicator without being obvious.

For FP umpires

My problem was slightly different. I developed early-onset cataracts in both eyes. (Apparently, it's yet another adverse side effect of chemotherapy. :( ) Surgery to insert artificial lenses was not optional -- it was required. I had the operations about six months apart, and chose to have the left focused for distance and the right focused for reading. (I went against the surgeon's recommendation. He wanted to set them both for distance and have me use reading glasses.)

I'm glad I did it my way. The amazing human brain filters out the fuzzy signal and keeps the good signal. I'm 20/20 to 20/30, depending on the distance. I have glasses, but use them mainly for watching TV, because it helps me read the scores and the "crawl" at the bottom of the screen. Like debeau, I now have a nice assortment of sunglasses. :cool:

A side note. The day before my first surgery I did a doubleheader for a D-III team visiting Pensacola from Nebraska on an early-season southern road trip. They were a nice team with a really friendly and funny coach. Naturally, I was wearing glasses. The next morning I had outpatient surgery. I went by the field that evening (wearing a patch over the eye) and happened to run into the Nebraska coach. I told him that he could truthfully tell people that he once had an umpire that was so blind that he needed eye surgery the next day.

Lasik and sunglasses
 

I'm sittin' on the fence re: getting Lasik surgery; however, a friend (who's an ump) has had his done and corrected only for distance...he wears bifocal sunglasses when he's working a game, where the top of the glasses are not corrected and the bottoms have correction for reading and close work.

I take it a step further. I buy the three ball, two strike, two out indicators and doctor them. I smooth the wheel at each zero, and notch each two. Now I can tell everything by feel -- except ball one versus ball three (and I sure hope I know that one without looking :cool:). I can clear it by feel -- and read it by feel.

Geez....if you guys would use all of this energy on staying focused during the game, you wouldn't even need an indicator. :D

My technique is slight different.


I look at my indicated when I need / want to.

:eek: Sinner!!

And once or twice a year I will put the indicator in my pocket during a JV game just to prove to myself that I can do without it. Really improves concentration!

Next time you do a beer and ball tourney (see other thread) get your wife to proofread your post:D :cool:

WOW! A single game and no strikes thrown. You da man!

Actually, JV games here are a full 7 innings, no run rule. They do being to grow hair sometimes. They are a much bigger concentration challenge that any well-played game.

Even with a time limit, this is true!

AMEN to that. I'll do 2-3 JV games each year, to work with some newer folks. I try real hard to make sure I don't have the plate on any of them. They're not necessarily a full 7 innings here, but 2 - 3 innings of JV ball can take longer than extra inning varsity games.

Sometimes I don't think that we live in the same world. I call plenty of JV games that run 65 to 75 minutes, 7 innings. Quality games that look like what you expect varsity to look like.

Of course there are some stinkers in there. There are a few schools that don't have freshman teams, or good feeder programs (L.L., rec league); but the majority play pretty good ball.

Our freshmen games are usually 5 inning DH. Two hours and we are outa there. (Yes, once in awhile you are going to be there 3 1/2 hours!) I had one freshmen game last year where one pitcher already had played 16U travel ball. She and her opponent battled to a 2-1 game with lots of strikes and few walks.)

WMB

Sure, it varies. There are several top softball schools (big schools, natch), where their JV teams would likely compete for the state championship one class level down.

However, since they all play by the same rules, the games for the rec-level (or worse) JV teams at the smaller schools can be a chore.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not complaining; just observing that those games are a big concentration challenge.

This thread puts me in mind of a talk show I heard the other night where they were talking about a proposal in Texas to allow laser sights on rifles for blind hunters (with a spotter to tell them the dot was on the target).

I just wondered if they considered the impact on the sports of baseball and softball during hunting season. If all the umpires can suddenly go hunting, who's going to call the games?

I know several DI CWS and regional umpires that do not use an indicator. They say it forces them to maintain focus.

I know that I could not do that yet. But I try to not look at my indicator much.

I dont think I have the mental power for that. I have a hard enough time remembering if I clicked my clicker if something happens between pitches.. let alone remember what the count was before what happened happened. Might be OK at some top level where they track it on the score board and there are 3-4 umpires... but even then I'd have trouble probably.

I did the LASIK in '05 and it has been the best money I have ever spent! I did have to break down this year and get reading glasses. The surgery took about 20 including setup. I could see immediately, but it was sort of like opening your eyes underwater. I took a nap (doc's orders) and 3 hours later - WHAM - perfect vision! I was back at work the next day. My surgery was done on Jan. 6 in '05 during basketball and I was on the court again on the 13th. My doc didn't want to risk me taking a shot to the head before it was healed. I'd probably not do it during softball because a head-shot is inevitable. My cost was $1600 and I've gone back for periodic problems - dry or itching eyes and not paid another dime. The dry eyes is a problem - but not a big enough problem to not get the surgery. I would do it again tomorrow.

I am a little bit more light sensitive - even on some cloudy days. I always wear wrap around sunglasses even behind the plate. (During the first year I did have to wear sunglasses at night occasionally due to the car lights.) I haven't had any problems umpiring at night except the first season during some early college games - cold air blowing.

It's awesome not to have to put contacts in, or clean glasses all the time, or find them at night to go to the bathroom, or "insert any problem you have with glasses or contacts here". Feel free to pm me if you have some specific questions. If you are seriously going to do it, pm me and give me a number and I'll talk you through everything you can expect. That was important in getting through mine. I hope this helps.

With all due respect to your colleagues, if an umpire reaches that level, you would think they could maintain focus in a game even with an indicator in their hand.

I have tried going without an indicator. I found that I was concentrating so hard to keep the count, I was not paying attention to other detail which were normally second nature. I went back to the indicator halfway through the game.

An indicator is a tool of the trade and I can see no reason an umpire shouldn't use every available tool to which they have access.

I agree. I have gone games without using an indicator, and found much the same. I use one and seldom find the need to check it.

Seems to be quite a contradiction. It is constantly impressed on us, as NCAA umpires, that the NCAA Umpire Manual is our bible, and must be followed at all times. Our bible says:

"• Ball/strike indicator – must be used on plate and bases"

So, by their statement, they should not be CWS or Regional umpires, since they choose to disregard the manual requirement.

How did a thread about Lasik surgery become a discussion about the ball/strike indicator? :rolleyes: :) :cool:
Sam

Hello Al, I didn't read through all the replies so the following info may have already come you way.

I needed glasses to correct to 20/20 and also had a fogging problem from time to time. At the time I was a police officer working street patrol and occasionally when going indoors from outside my glasses would fog. I purchased an anti fogging paste from a vender at a local fair and it worked great. Every night before I started my shift I would clean my glasses with the paste ... no fogging the entire shift.

I also tried contacts but it didn't work out.

About 2 years ago I had LASIK performed on both eyes. I was nearsighted and also had significant astigmatism in my left eye. The results are wonderful. I do not need reading glasses. The only problem is a bit of double vision in the left eye at night while looking at a bright light (like a traffic signal) and that problem is still improving.

If LASIK is an option for you it will probably be well worth your while.

It didn't, we're just multi-tasking. :eek:

OK - I can now see clearly (poor attempt at humor) :D
Sam

Thanks Jmaellis,

There were several that said they are well pleased with the results they got with Lasik surgery. There were a couple of the guys that mentioned different helps for fogging. One method was to put a little dish washing detergent on the lenses then wiping it off with a paper towel, and another was using a product called cat crap...I kid you not that is the brand-name of the product. :) There's a link provided about the product.

I talked to my doctor again and still can't decide what to do. I guess I am still on the fence for a while. But I've not heard one horror story from anyone that's gone through with the Lasik surgery, only minor problems such as you have. Take care, ..Al