Taking off the mask

[IRISHMAFIA]

Right handed catcher as a kid. However, as a catcher, you rarely have to get the mask off as quickly as an umpire. Started umpire when I was still playing, but, as previously stated, had no problem using my left hand w/indicator. BTW, the masks back then only had horizontal bars, not the cages you have now.

Everyone has a comfortable way of doing things, guess I'm lucky I had good mentors at the time.

AFA laying down my mask, I just don't do it. To me, it is a piece of my uniform and tool of my trade. Not to mention I feel it is unprofessional on my behalf.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Right handed catcher as a kid. However, as a catcher, you rarely have to get the mask off as quickly as an umpire. Started umpire when I was still playing, but, as previously stated, had no problem using my left hand w/indicator. BTW, the masks back then only had horizontal bars, not the cages you have now.

Everyone has a comfortable way of doing things, guess I'm lucky I had good mentors at the time.

AFA laying down my mask, I just don't do it. To me, it is a piece of my uniform and tool of my trade. Not to mention I feel it is unprofessional on my behalf.

I think I found your old mask on eBay...

[okla21fan]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

AFA laying down my mask, I just don't do it. To me, it is a piece of my uniform and tool of my trade. Not to mention I feel it is unprofessional on my behalf.

Well, I did break the 'putting mask on homeplate for plate conference' bad habit before Nationals.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by okla21fan

Well, I did break the 'putting mask on homeplate for plate conference' bad habit before Nationals.

What I love is when the umpire asks, "How am I supposed to read or write with a mask in my hand?"

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

What I love is when the umpire asks, "How am I supposed to read or write with a mask in my hand?"

One of the local clowns has an answer to that, Mike. He's got one a clip on his belt and hangs the mask there. Wasn't sure if I'd wet my pants laughing or fall over - glad we had navy pants on..............

[robbie]

Originally Posted by Steve M

One of the local clowns has an answer to that, Mike. He's got one a clip on his belt and hangs the mask there. Wasn't sure if I'd wet my pants laughing or fall over - glad we had navy pants on..............

One of our local "clowns" has the clip too. He also calls outs with his left hand.

Oh ya, Forgot - he doesnt have a right arm.

[CelticNHBlue]

Originally Posted by robbie

One of our local "clowns" has the clip too. He also calls outs with his left hand.

Oh ya, Forgot - he doesnt have a right arm.

Is it wrong that ILMAO when I read this?

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by Steve M

One of the local clowns has an answer to that, Mike. He's got one a clip on his belt and hangs the mask there. Wasn't sure if I'd wet my pants laughing or fall over - glad we had navy pants on..............

One of our local officials does it, too. However, she says it's because her arms are too short to be able to fit the mask under her arm and have enough left to hold the line-up card in front of her. I don't doubt it, as she's pretty short.

[Big Slick]

Originally Posted by Steve M

One of the local clowns has an answer to that, Mike. He's got one a clip on his belt and hangs the mask there. Wasn't sure if I'd wet my pants laughing or fall over - glad we had navy pants on..............

He is less of a clown now, he did get a hair cut, lose the elbow pad and gold bracelet.

But the clip was on full display this weekend.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by okla21fan

Well, I did break the 'putting mask on homeplate for plate conference' bad habit before Nationals.

A good exampe of how hands-on-hips looks impatient.
[NIT}Also, mask under arm s/b top facing forward. [/NIT]

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

A good exampe of how hands-on-hips looks impatient.
[NIT}Also, mask under arm s/b top facing forward. [/NIT]

And you think I'm anal!?!?

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

And you think I'm anal!?!?

No, we KNOW you are, other just have to beat you to it once in a while.

[okla21fan]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

A good exampe of how hands-on-hips looks impatient.
[NIT}Also, mask under arm s/b top facing forward. [/NIT]

you will got over it

[BretMan]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

AFA laying down my mask, I just don't do it. To me, it is a piece of my uniform and tool of my trade. Not to mention I feel it is unprofessional on my behalf.

Plus, on a typical softball field, it's going to get just plain dirty! I HATE if I accidently drop mine (which is very rare, maybe once a year) and it gets covered with dust. They have so many nooks and crannies for dirt to get into that a quick wipe off just isn't going to get it.

I like to keep mine clean. Laying it down in the dirt doesn't really help that! At least a couple of times a year I'll disassemble the whole thing to really scrub the frame, pads and harness, and I try to keep it wiped down between games.

[Crabby_Bob]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

[snip]
AFA laying down my mask, I just don't do it. To me, it is a piece of my uniform and tool of my trade. Not to mention I feel it is unprofessional on my behalf.

The mask, like the cap, is a symbol of authority. Either looks bad sitting on the ground