Pitcher's glove

[Big Slick]

Originally Posted by SRW

Thoughts on this photo? Legal?

ASA and/or NFHS please.

The floppy lacing may present a problem to some, but the colors are ok.

In an effort to hijack this, just a few comments about the other pictures:

Are they playing in a sandbox? And I say this because I haven't seen the field yet this year

The base umpire looks to have pretty good timing and positioning on the force plays at first.

Plate umpire - seems to have a good H/T on 2044, maybe a bit high, but IMO, working high is better than working low. Funny how plate is in a jacket and base is in sleeves.

And now the big hijack question: why the danglie? Seriously, what does this protect? If you are tracking like you are suppose to, it is not needed. To me, the danglie stopping a softball is akin to the foamy commercial where the shaving cream tries to stop the roller coaster.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by Big Slick

Plate umpire - seems to have a good H/T on 2044, maybe a bit high, but IMO, working high is better than working low. Funny how plate is in a jacket and base is in sleeves.

I think too high. If I'm reading the photo correctly, his chin is up to the batter's shoulder.

[Big Slick]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

I think too high. If I'm reading the photo correctly, his chin is up to the batter's shoulder.

I think so too, however I'm ok with it. One, I think that is easier to correct than those who set up too low. Also, being that this is a still picture, this may be his "adjusted" positioning based on the batter/catcher. My point is that I do like his right foot and hips from the angle provided by the photo.

[shipwreck]

Originally Posted by Big Slick

The floppy lacing may present a problem to some, but the colors are ok.

In an effort to hijack this, just a few comments about the other pictures:

Are they playing in a sandbox? And I say this because I haven't seen the field yet this year

The base umpire looks to have pretty good timing and positioning on the force plays at first.

Plate umpire - seems to have a good H/T on 2044, maybe a bit high, but IMO, working high is better than working low. Funny how plate is in a jacket and base is in sleeves.

And now the big hijack question: why the danglie? Seriously, what does this protect? If you are tracking like you are suppose to, it is not needed. To me, the danglie stopping a softball is akin to the foamy commercial where the shaving cream tries to stop the roller coaster.

I disagree with you on the dangling throat protector. I have been hit there before and while there was some pain, I believe it would have been much greater if I hadn't been wearing it. JMHO Dave

[RadioBlue]

Originally Posted by shipwreck

I disagree with you on the dangling throat protector. I have been hit there before and while there was some pain, I believe it would have been much greater if I hadn't been wearing it. JMHO Dave

+1
me, too

[HugoTafurst]

Originally Posted by Big Slick

SNIP


And now the big hijack question: why the danglie?
SNIP

Did you know that the "danglie" is required in NFHS?
I didn't know it was either until this year I happened to re-read that section while sitting on the crapper!

NFHS Umpire Manual p.19

"Equipment for the plate umpire should offer the best in protection, mobility and comfort. A mask with a throat protector is required in F.P..............."

Guess I better get one if I'm going to do post season....

[Big Slick]

Originally Posted by HugoTafurst

Did you know that the "danglie" is required in NFHS?
I didn't know it was either until this year I happened to re-read that section while sitting on the crapper!

NFHS Umpire Manual p.19



Guess I better get one if I'm going to do post season....

I believe the built in "wire protect" as it is called satisfies this requirement. And that's my point, before the wire/extended protector became the design, the danglie was necessary to provide some protection. However, I think any mask designed for umpiring softball has the wire protector.

Those that I've seen hit in the throat (that number is 2), was due to a foul ball in which they a) didn't have time to react or b) reacted with a "wince". Neither time would have a danglie lessened the impact.

[bbsbvb83]

Originally Posted by Big Slick

I believe the built in "wire protect" as it is called satisfies this requirement.

It does.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by Big Slick

The floppy lacing may present a problem to some, but the colors are ok.

I think that the "floppy lacing" you are seeing are the lines on the jersey to her uniform. I don't see any "floppy lacing."

Originally Posted by Big Slick

And now the big hijack question: why the danglie? Seriously, what does this protect? If you are tracking like you are suppose to, it is not needed. To me, the danglie stopping a softball is akin to the foamy commercial where the shaving cream tries to stop the roller coaster.

Believe what you will about the "danglie," but there is no way I would ever go without one. Been hit there before I started using it (one time was all it took), and about three times since. Trust me, it is worth every penny for the protection it provides.

And if you believe it is a "tracking" the ball issue, it isn't. If you are using a proper stance behind the plate, you are leaving yourself vunerable, albeit a small window of vunerability, if you don't use the throat protector ("danglie," in your vernacular.)

In reference to the OP, I see nothing wrong with the glove in the picture in either ASA or NFHS.

[ASA/NYSSOBLUE]

Originally Posted by Big Slick

The floppy lacing may present a problem to some, but the colors are ok.

In an effort to hijack this, just a few comments about the other pictures:

Are they playing in a sandbox? And I say this because I haven't seen the field yet this year

The base umpire looks to have pretty good timing and positioning on the force plays at first.

Plate umpire - seems to have a good H/T on 2044, maybe a bit high, but IMO, working high is better than working low. Funny how plate is in a jacket and base is in sleeves.

And now the big hijack question: why the danglie? Seriously, what does this protect? If you are tracking like you are suppose to, it is not needed. To me, the danglie stopping a softball is akin to the foamy commercial where the shaving cream tries to stop the roller coaster.

Okay - what do you think of MY stance (taken at the NY State School - the gentleman with the jacket and clipboard is Ed Whipple, a very senior SEC ump who comes up to help at our school):



this was about three years ago, and I have lost about 50 lbs since

[HugoTafurst]

Who cares what I think.... the question is what did Ed think!!!!!

[ASA/NYSSOBLUE]

Originally Posted by HugoTafurst

Who cares what I think.... the question is what did Ed think!!!!!

He nitpicked a little, but otherwise I did well....

He does he greatest drunk I have ever seen!

[Big Slick]

Originally Posted by ASA/NYSSOBLUE

Okay - what do you think of MY stance (taken at the NY State School - the gentleman with the jacket and clipboard is Ed Whipple, a very senior SEC ump who comes up to help at our school):


this was about three years ago, and I have lost about 50 lbs since

Since you asked, I think you look pretty good with Heel Toe. I can't tell about your slot positioning due to the angle of the picture, but there are some clues (only opinion here). Being that your right shoulder looks lower than your left shoulder, that would indicate you are leaning into the strike zone. You may be too far in the slot (hence the lean). The reason I look for this is that is the adjustment I had to make a few years ago, because someone nitpicked me (and he happened to live in NY at the time ). My suggestion to you is to make sure your center your body on the batter's box line, that will put your ear on the plate. Again, I cannot tell from the angle, but there is a lean.

Congrats on the loss of 50 pounds. It seems the only way I could lose 50 pounds is to visit the horse track in England.

[ASA/NYSSOBLUE]

Originally Posted by Big Slick

Since you asked, I think you look pretty good with Heel Toe. I can't tell about your slot positioning due to the angle of the picture, but there are some clues (only opinion here). Being that your right shoulder looks lower than your left shoulder, that would indicate you are leaning into the strike zone. You may be too far in the slot (hence the lean). The reason I look for this is that is the adjustment I had to make a few years ago, because someone nitpicked me (and he happened to live in NY at the time ). My suggestion to you is to make sure your center your body on the batter's box line, that will put your ear on the plate. Again, I cannot tell from the angle, but there is a lean.

Congrats on the loss of 50 pounds. It seems the only way I could lose 50 pounds is to visit the horse track in England.

Thanks for the comments, I believe the lean was something Whipple 'nitpicked' on....

Just happens that the woman who teaches plate mechanics at the NYSSO school is in our group, and since then she has seen me work and says I am fine now.

That NYSSO school is something else - I have heard people who have been to various ASA schools say it is the best school they have ever been to. They mention that, unlike some schools, they treat you like adults! Also the teaching talent there is A-1, not only Whipple, my friends Bruce and Kathy, but the NYSSO Rules Interpreter is Jay Miner, so that school is pretty loaded.

[MrRabbit]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

It doesn't. I do.

IMO, nothing looks worse than a crew in different UNIFORMS. I see it in baseball all the time and, again IMO, it looks unprofessional.

And before you start with the, "but what does the color of my jacket have to do with my ability to make the right call" argument, it doesn't, but that isn't the point.

[Rant on uniforms]
Ever hear anyone state, "you only have one chance to make a first impression"? It is true and I can tell you as a player and coach and umpire, this is a true statement.

Ever get ready to play a game or watch your son/daughter play a game, take a look at the umpire approcahing the field and immediately you hear yourself say, "oh no, we've got to put up with him again"? It happens and often because of the dress.

I've seen umpires walk on the field with their shirt hanging out, hat on crooked, even wearing sailing gloves and I don't care if s/he is on their game, they will be a target for coaches and players simply because s/he doesn't look the part.
[Rant off]

That said, I understand circumstances where an umpire may need to remove a jacket or another one put it on. I know damn well that if I'm cold, I'm putting a jacket on. No one gets paid enough to get ill while working a game.

I total agree with your Rant...

But you miss understood me / or you just wanted to scream and yell about uniforms. Which are my thoughts to the letter.

I have refused to take the field with slobs. Also I never have been dinged for my uniform in 30 years. My pride in my uniform comes from my time in the military.

I have refused to let umpires work because of their equipment.

As I was saying by my statement where does it say that I have to wear my jacket if my partner does?

Yet I keep hearing this old wives tale, if your partner wears their jacket you have too.

Time to put in in the book that it not required that you wear a jacket if your partner does. That you can wear anything that is proper uniform instead, shirt, sweater, or pullover.

Rant off.