Saturday Recap

It looks like a pic of Muhammad Ali on each one of those belts.

[quote comment=”82362″]During horse races, jockeys often wear multiple googles so if the goggles get muddy or dusty, they can flip down a new “clean” pair down so that they can get good visibility.[/quote]

Absoultely. They used to pull them up and off, but now pull them down around their necks.

I think the jockeys need to get tear offs like they have in motocross. Motocross guys put sev eral thin plastic strips over their goggles and pull them off one by one as they race. Much better than wearing four pairs of goggles.

[quote comment=”82368″][quote comment=”82362″]During horse races, jockeys often wear multiple googles so if the goggles get muddy or dusty, they can flip down a new “clean” pair down so that they can get good visibility.[/quote]

Absoultely. They used to pull them up and off, but now pull them down around their necks.[/quote]

The same thing occurs on NASCAR cars. They have around 5-10 windshield layers on the car, and if there’s a lot of debris on the windshield, one of the layers gets peeled off during a pit stop.

link

Here’s a pic of Roger Clemens with last year’s hat during the press conference yesterday.

link

Since there was a lot of discussion on Saturday about the Padres’ uniforms, this video from NBC & SI should be of interest:

link

Drivers without windshields have multiple layers on their link that can be pulled off during the race when they get covered in gunk.

Did the twins switch from direct sewing to name plates this year? I could be completely wrong, but something looked funny about the white name plates over their pin striped uniform. Sorry, can’t find a good picture.

link is a picture of a football mask in softball. Scroll down to the softball story. I think it’s a national thing requiring softball players to wear them.

An entire section about horse racing and no bad joke about stirrups. I don’t know whether to be disappointed with your lack of imagination or impressed by your restraint.

“Designated raceday tomato.” Gems like that are why I keep visiting this site.

My favorite commentary about goggles, courtesy of link.

[quote comment=”82368″][quote comment=”82362″]During horse races, jockeys often wear multiple googles so if the goggles get muddy or dusty, they can flip down a new “clean” pair down so that they can get good visibility.[/quote]

Absoultely. They used to pull them up and off, but now pull them down around their necks.[/quote]

IIRC, ESPN did a segment on this last year during the pre-race show.

II don’t R as C, it was the year before.

In any case, the former jockey doing the segment showed how obscured the view was from behind four sets of goggles, and told viewers to watch the jockeys’ hands going up to their helmets when they pulled a dirty set down.

[quote comment=”82414″]Here is a picture of a football mask in softball. Scroll down to the softball story. I think it’s a national thing requiring softball players to wear them.

Thats not a football helmet, Its a modified baseball helmet with a cage. There are several little leagues that require them so that kids don’t get hit in the face with a pitch.[/quote]

As a high school/ASA softball ump, I can tell you that it has been made MANDATORY for 18U girls softball players to have a mask/chin straps on their batting helmets. It is MANDATORY for us as umps to check each and every teams helmets prior to a game to make sure those masks are secure. Have not seen too many wear the mask pitching yet. As the one poster stated, that probably is protecting mouth metal

We also have the responsibility to make sure all the kids have all their jewelry off, and to check for what the ASA calls ‘non-approved’ bats – check link out – note all the Miken bats – one men’s league has got to the point where they have just banned all Miken bats to save problems!

[quote comment=”82432″][quote comment=”82414″]Here is a picture of a football mask in softball. Scroll down to the softball story. I think it’s a national thing requiring softball players to wear them.

Thats not a football helmet, Its a modified baseball helmet with a cage. There are several little leagues that require them so that kids don’t get hit in the face with a pitch.[/quote]

As a high school/ASA softball ump, I can tell you that it has been made MANDATORY for 18U girls softball players to have a mask/chin straps on their batting helmets. It is MANDATORY for us as umps to check each and every teams helmets prior to a game to make sure those masks are secure. Have not seen too many wear the mask pitching yet. As the one poster stated, that probably is protecting mouth metal

We also have the responsibility to make sure all the kids have all their jewelry off, and to check for what the ASA calls ‘non-approved’ bats – check link out – note all the Miken bats – one men’s league has got to the point where they have just banned all Miken bats to save problems![/quote]

the miken ultra II allowed us 50 runs yesterday…

oh, and dpnation,
i’ll see your dinner and eric haze dunk lows, and raise you a dinner and a pair of chris lundy dunk lows…or a pair of htm rainbow wovens.

[quote comment=”82436″][quote comment=”82414″]Here is a picture of a football mask in softball. Scroll down to the softball story. I think it’s a national thing requiring softball players to wear them.

Thats not a football helmet, Its a modified baseball helmet with a cage. There are several little leagues that require them so that kids don’t get hit in the face with a pitch.[/quote]

In Minnesota they just passed a law that says that all high school softball players must wear a mask on their batting helmate as a link precaution.[/quote]

I totally understand the batting helmets needing starps/guards, but had never seen it on a pitcher before. Having been hit by a line drive in the face while pitching, I can’t say as I disagree with the sentiment!

link is embarrassing…Paul what has happened to your boys!

[quote comment=”82462″]Have those face masks actually proven to be effective, or are they just a feel-good solution to placate overprotective, safety-obsessed parents?

It seems to me that having big metal bars obstructing your field of vision would make it harder for you to pick up a rapidly-moving ball. Or are the lawmakers conceding that people are more likely to get hit in the head, but less likely to be hurt when that does happen?[/quote]

I don’t know if they have been proven. As I mentioned earlier the girl on my HS team just felt safe wearing it. She said it was very hard to play in the outfield because of the limited vision. But hers was a full helmet with a face mask, unlike the girl in the picture PL posted. But after being hit in the face I guess you would just feel more secure with that on.

[quote comment=”82454″][quote comment=”82446″][quote comment=”82445″]the miken ultra II allowed us 50 runs yesterday…[/quote]

Someone’s getting his bat banned in his own softball league![/quote]

wow! did that come out 50? i meant to type 5…[/quote]

with the Ultra II, 50 homeruns would have reasonable….those are banned almost everywhere except senior leagues

[quote comment=”82462″]Have those face masks actually proven to be effective, or are they just a feel-good solution to placate overprotective, safety-obsessed parents?

It seems to me that having big metal bars obstructing your field of vision would make it harder for you to pick up a rapidly-moving ball. Or are the lawmakers conceding that people are more likely to get hit in the head, but less likely to be hurt when that does happen?[/quote]

Before the face masks were mandatory here in NY, I saw (while working the bases) a kid hit a ball straight down, and bounce straight back up and hit her right in the mouth -with a face mask, that would not have happened….

..to direct-sewn lettering — a major improvement.

Why do you see this as an improvement? Ever look at the arch of team that use direct sewing? The practically go link. link! Having the nameplate ensures a link, no matter the length.

[quote comment=”82483″]..to direct-sewn lettering — a major improvement.

Why do you see this as an improvement? Ever look at the arch of team that use direct sewing? The practically go link. link! Having the nameplate ensures a link, no matter the length.[/quote]
Yes, but as in the Twins case, it looks like crap with pinstripes.

You know, all this talk of wearing equipment and gloves to play “soft”ball makes me sad. I grew up where we caught the ball bare handed.

Oh, I grew up in Chicago where they play 16” or Kitten Ball as some people call it. Either way, no protective equipment for anybody for the most part. Once in a while a catcher would wear a mask becasue of his proximity to foul tips, but many didn’t.

[quote comment=”82467″]I don’t know if they have been proven. As I mentioned earlier the girl on my HS team just felt safe wearing it. She said it was very hard to play in the outfield because of the limited vision. But hers was a full helmet with a face mask, unlike the girl in the picture PL posted. But after being hit in the face I guess you would just feel more secure with that on.[/quote]

I’m wondering what are the chances that a rapidly-moving ball would hit her in the face in the outfield?

Maybe if she doesn’t pick up the ball properly on a fly ball and it smacks her in the face, but that would be diferent from the dangers faced by a pitcher.

Lexie, Teebs, and Lou, I’m looking at the one worn by the softball pitcher and I suppose it’s not that bad since it doesn’t obscure her eyes at all. When I was in Little League more than a decade ago, there were these special cage-like helmets that blocked your vision much more than, say, a catcher’s mask, and the kids whose parents forced them to wear them hated them. In addition to the reduced vision, the weight made it hard to move your head around. Even as a 10-year-old kid I’d trust my reflexes instead of having a heavy cage weighing my head down.

But I admit to never having pitched in softball where you’re less than 45 feet from the plate when the ball comes at you off the bat.

I still think it should be the player’s decision — only the individual can weigh the tradeoff between armor and vision.

Back aronud 1979 when Charlie Manuel was playing for the Kintetsu Buffaloes, a pitcher threw at his head, breaking his jaw. The doctors told him that if the same incident were to occur again, he would never be able to eat normally, so while he was healing up, he wore a link. (Here’s a great link.) He eventually gave it up because of the reduced vision, but was a hero to the fans for coming back when his jaw was still being held in place by wires!

And at least at this years Kentucky Derby, we didn’t get stuck looking at NBC boy constantly in NBC’s coverage.

[quote comment=”82494″]
Back aronud 1979 when Charlie Manuel was playing for the Kintetsu Buffaloes, a pitcher threw at his head, breaking his jaw. The doctors told him that if the same incident were to occur again, he would never be able to eat normally, so while he was healing up, he wore a link. (Here’s a great link.) He eventually gave it up because of the reduced vision, but was a hero to the fans for coming back when his jaw was still being held in place by wires![/quote]

That would explain this:

link

[quote comment=”82500″][quote comment=”82498″][quote comment=”82489″]You know, all this talk of wearing equipment and gloves to play “soft”ball makes me sad. I grew up where we caught the ball bare handed.

Oh, I grew up in Chicago where they play 16″ or Kitten Ball as some people call it. Either way, no protective equipment for anybody for the most part. Once in a while a catcher would wear a mask becasue of his proximity to foul tips, but many didn’t.[/quote]

I’d like to see you try to catch a softball of a bat bare handed. 16 inch softballs are much softer then the 12 inch balls let alone the 11 inch ball the girls use. There have been pitcher’s killed from getting hit with a 12 inch softball. That is the reason for all the extra rules and equipment.[/quote]

I understand this. I was being funny. I suppost it’s hard to catch sarcasm in words. I have known a few people to play 12 ” outfield bare-handed. I too doub’t they’d fare too well in the infield.[/quote]

Sorry for the confusion. Sarcasm is a bit strange in text.

[quote comment=”82484″]
In retrospect it was a really good idea, since he pretty much acted like a Hockey goalie the entire game.[/quote]

Ironically, in that picture of the girls’ softball team, there is a pitching circle as well. Any ball hit through that circle that has the opportunity to strike the pitcher (at the umpire’s discretion, of course) is an automatic out. The mask is just being worn as extra protection.

They need to institute the pitching circle everywhere. It will prevent 300lbs steroid-pumped freaks using juiced bats from crushing one off my chest (and it left stitch marks from the softball), and claiming the base hit as legitimate.

[quote comment=”82494″]Lexie, Teebs, and Lou, I’m looking at the one worn by the softball pitcher and I suppose it’s not that bad since it doesn’t obscure her eyes at all. When I was in Little League more than a decade ago, there were these special cage-like helmets that blocked your vision much more than, say, a catcher’s mask, and the kids whose parents forced them to wear them hated them. In addition to the reduced vision, the weight made it hard to move your head around. Even as a 10-year-old kid I’d trust my reflexes instead of having a heavy cage weighing my head down.

But I admit to never having pitched in softball where you’re less than 45 feet from the plate when the ball comes at you off the bat.

I still think it should be the player’s decision — only the individual can weigh the tradeoff between armor and vision.

Back aronud 1979 when Charlie Manuel was playing for the Kintetsu Buffaloes, a pitcher threw at his head, breaking his jaw. The doctors told him that if the same incident were to occur again, he would never be able to eat normally, so while he was healing up, he wore a link. (Here’s a great link.) He eventually gave it up because of the reduced vision, but was a hero to the fans for coming back when his jaw was still being held in place by wires![/quote]

Mark I agree with you. I really think it is up to the individual person. My friend wore one of the catcher’s mask kind and even though she felt safe in it, she hated it too. It was hot (we played in Kansas after all), heavy and really did block her vision. As soon as the doctor gave her the ok she stopped wearing it.

As far as wearing it in the outfield. The doctor thought it would be best in case she missed a fly ball or if the ball took a bad bounce on the ground.

[quote comment=”82511″][quote comment=”82484″]
In retrospect it was a really good idea, since he pretty much acted like a Hockey goalie the entire game.[/quote]

Ironically, in that picture of the girls’ softball team, there is a pitching circle as well. Any ball hit through that circle that has the opportunity to strike the pitcher (at the umpire’s discretion, of course) is an automatic out. The mask is just being worn as extra protection.

They need to institute the pitching circle everywhere. It will prevent 300lbs steroid-pumped freaks using juiced bats from crushing one off my chest (and it left stitch marks from the softball), and claiming the base hit as legitimate.[/quote]
Is that what the circle is for? I never knew that. I umped before and we only used it to make the ball “dead” for the younger players to keep from having too many 3 base errors. But I agree, that HAS to be instituted for men’s leagues. Any truth to the rumor that softball was invented as safe recreation for pregnant women?

[quote comment=”82520″][quote comment=”82461″]link is embarrassing…Paul what has happened to your boys![/quote]

That’s pretty much a daily occurrence with Reyes now.[/quote]

Ill take it as long as he keeps playing the way he has… he’s hands down MVP this season so far

[quote comment=”82487″][quote comment=”82483″]..to direct-sewn lettering — a major improvement.

Why do you see this as an improvement? Ever look at the arch of team that use direct sewing? The practically go link. link! Having the nameplate ensures a link, no matter the length.[/quote]
Yes, but as in the Twins case, it looks like crap with pinstripes.[/quote]

Don’t care. I just like the fact that Joe posted Santana’s uni. I heart him.

Actually, I do care. I like the virtical arch best, but I agree that it looks funny with the pinstripes. Don’t know if a pinstriped nameplate would look better, though.

Any truth to the rumor that softball was invented as safe recreation for pregnant women?[/quote]

Let’s see … a ball hit at a high speed coming toward your belly. The ball takes a bad hop…. nawwwww … I’ve never heard of that one, in fact, my doc told me most sports, especially softball, which I play, were off-limits. i was told I could swim, play tennis and little else.

Plus, could you imagine those unis???? Worse than the WNBA for sure!

[quote comment=”82529″]Any truth to the rumor that softball was invented as safe recreation for pregnant women?[/quote]

Let’s see … a ball hit at a high speed coming toward your belly. The ball takes a bad hop…. nawwwww … I’ve never heard of that one, in fact, my doc told me most sports, especially softball, which I play, were off-limits. i was told I could swim, play tennis and little else.

Plus, could you imagine those unis???? Worse than the WNBA for sure![/quote]

Jaye, nothing can be worse than the satin nighties of the WNBA. I think it would be cute to have unis for pregnant women. However, I could see that playing sports while being pregnant might not be a good thing to do. How about in the early stages, though? I mean, in the first trimester, you could play right field, yes? Not much action there.

I am trying to find pics of pregnant women playing, but not much luck. However, there are women who say their docs told them they could play up to 15 weeks or so. One woman claims she played until her eigth month.

Well, one of these players were pregnant, so imagine this link stretched a bit.

[quote comment=”82511″][quote comment=”82484″]
In retrospect it was a really good idea, since he pretty much acted like a Hockey goalie the entire game.[/quote]

Ironically, in that picture of the girls’ softball team, there is a pitching circle as well. Any ball hit through that circle that has the opportunity to strike the pitcher (at the umpire’s discretion, of course) is an automatic out. The mask is just being worn as extra protection.

They need to institute the pitching circle everywhere. It will prevent 300lbs steroid-pumped freaks using juiced bats from crushing one off my chest (and it left stitch marks from the softball), and claiming the base hit as legitimate.[/quote]

Sorry to bust you on this…BUT…in any softball I am familiar with, the pitching circle is there for the following rules:

When the pitcher receives the ball, and gets totally into the circle, the following rules apply when there are runners on base:

1. If a base runner is moving, they must keep moving in the same direction

2. If a base runner is STOPPED, they must IMMEDIATELY start moving in either direction without stopping again

3. If theere is a runner on base, and the pitcher has the ball within the circle, they cannot release from the base until the pitcher has released the ball to the plate.

violation of any of these results in a dead ball, and the runner[s} is (are) called out. In case of the runner starting before th pitch, it is declared ‘NO PITCH’ and the runner is out.

the only exception to the above rules is if the pitcher makes a play on the runners.

Have never, ever heard of that ‘pitcher having a chance to be hit’ rule before at all…unless its a rule those idiots at Little League Softball have instituted…as bad as those people have ruined youth baseball, what they do to softball is insane…

Lou, an Amateur Softball Association ump
for 20 years

[quote comment=”82529″]Any truth to the rumor that softball was invented as safe recreation for pregnant women?[/quote]

Plus, could you imagine those unis???? Worse than the WNBA for sure![/quote]

I screwed up. Or something. I was quotiong Jaye, so everything before Jaye, is not me.

This is me:

Jaye, nothing can be worse than the satin nighties of the WNBA. I think it would be cute to have unis for pregnant women. However, I could see that playing sports while being pregnant might not be a good thing to do. How about in the early stages, though? I mean, in the first trimester, you could play right field, yes? Not much action there.

I am trying to find pics of pregnant women playing, but not much luck. However, there are women who say their docs told them they could play up to 15 weeks or so. One woman claims she played until her eigth month.

Well, one of these players were pregnant, so imagine this uni stretched a bit.

[quote comment=”82528″]I’m not a fan of the Gigantes thing. But I dig the Giants. Can we stop screwing with uni’s with all this honouring crap. We don’t even honour the U.S.A when it’s July 4th, if we did in a uni sense every team would have USA on the front of their jersey![/quote]
The flags on the caps beg to differ.

And I want to say as a guy who had his face broken by a thrown softball (I was standing on second when the left fielder decided to show off, and the second basemen decided not to catch the ball), I see the value in a helmet while on the basepaths.

I even once saw a pitcher wearing a lacrosse helmet while in the circle (his skull had literally been cracked by a line drive).

[quote comment=”82522″][quote comment=”82520″][quote comment=”82461″]link is embarrassing…Paul what has happened to your boys![/quote]

That’s pretty much a daily occurrence with Reyes now.[/quote]

Ill take it as long as he keeps playing the way he has… he’s hands down MVP this season so far[/quote]

I agree. A lot of NBA and NFL players untuck their jerseys after games too. I don’t think it’s a big deal. Now if they were to play with them untucked, that’s a different story, but that’s what the uniform police at MLB, the NFL, and the NBA are for……

Actually, one of the best thing ASA did was make the ‘hockey’ helmet mandatory for 18U catchers….for umpiring they suck…

I tried a friends helmet ONCE behind the plate – and RAN back to my Wilson A380 -way too claustrophobic, and you look like an idiot when you have to pull it off to call plays….

My current equipment:

New Balance cross trainer base shoes

Spot Bilt mid cut U55 steel toed plate shoes

Wilson A380 mask

Gerry Davis/Wilson leg guards

oops..thats Wilson A3080….my bad…

[quote comment=”82517″]
I’m no Volvo engineer, but it’s hard to imagine how “big metal bars” would not be effective. Personally, given the choice between a softball hitting me in the face vs. a softball hitting a metal cage two inches from my face, I would always choose the latter.[/quote]

Your choice is a false one; you cannot presuppose that the ball will hit you in the face. Without a vision-blocking, weight-encumbering helmet on, you would have a better chance of dodging the ball that’s speeding towards you. The question is whether it’s worth it to you to have an increased chance of the ball hitting you, accompanied by a decreased chance of a severe injury if it does hit you, than the reverse.

[quote comment=”82538″]
Have never, ever heard of that ‘pitcher having a chance to be hit’ rule before at all…unless its a rule those idiots at Little League Softball have instituted…as bad as those people have ruined youth baseball, what they do to softball is insane…

Lou, an Amateur Softball Association ump
for 20 years[/quote]

Lou, slo-pitch and fastpitch might be entirely different.

[quote comment=”82551″][quote comment=”82542″][quote comment=”82528″]I’m not a fan of the Gigantes thing. But I dig the Giants. Can we stop screwing with uni’s with all this honouring crap. We don’t even honour the U.S.A when it’s July 4th, if we did in a uni sense every team would have USA on the front of their jersey![/quote]

Great point. MLB doesn’t even wear a special 4th of July patch or put a logo on the field. Looks like our National Pastime is forgetting about it’s forefathers.[/quote]

Man, Joe D., you are on a roll today. You sure you can’t stop by Nye’s for a pint or two on Friday?[/quote]

I would love to, but I have spent the past high school hockey season and now spring season coaching, therefor making my wife a “hockey widdow.” Now that the spring season is over and I have no coaching obligations for a while I’ve kinda lamented that I’ll be home every night for a long time now. I’m still thinking of excuses though. I am thinking of telling her one of my favorite writers (wouldn’t be a lie) is going to be at Nye’s and I’d love to drop in and talk, but I know, being Irish, I can’t just drop in for a short bit. I dropped in on my uncle once and 5 hourse later I left.

[quote comment=”82535″][quote comment=”82529″]Any truth to the rumor that softball was invented as safe recreation for pregnant women?[/quote]

Plus, could you imagine those unis???? Worse than the WNBA for sure![/quote]
Today’s softball is definitely out but that mushball may have been the egg before the chicken.[/quote]

you think there would be an increase in premature births in the PSL (Pregnant Softball League)…bad joke i know

[quote comment=”82570″][quote comment=”82567″][quote comment=”82557″]how about link of a pregnant women playing.[/quote]

Wow! Do I feel like a whimp now, or what???

Minna, I was active in the first few months mainly because I didn’t even know I was pregnant. I played “short” stop (at 6 feet tall) and stopped playing the minute I found out we’d be bringing another ball player onto our team. Ok, I mainly stopped because I couldn’t figure out what to wear!!! The kid’s first outfit?? A newborn Braves uni with a hand-sewn 44 on the back, But alas, he was too small for stirrups![/quote]

Too small for stirups? Listen to yourself. You’re speaking lies now. If you were so determined to put your pint sized player in a proper uni you would have employed the 90 year old lady down the block to sew some. My Cabbage Patch doll when I was 3 had blue Cubs stirups to match its uniform.[/quote]

Hanging my head in shame…. of course you’re right. 50 lashes with the XXXXL jersey hanging off of Manny’s back.

[quote comment=”82573″]Yesterday in Ann Arbor, we had a link baseball game (Michigan vs. Illinois). Although since it was baseball, it wasn’t painful to see like the Suns-Lakers game was.[/quote]

Burrill, I think it’s because they aren’t as close together, and they are wearing white pants. However, can a black-on-black game be far behind? Ah, I can only dream.

Minna, With a 12 week old at home, I don’t think I can convince my wife to come along. She also doesn’t quoite understand my Uni Watch obsession as when I start talking sports she tunes out. I think if she actualy listened though she’d be intriged as she’s one that loves shoes and fashion. I’ve tried to get her to pay attention but she tells me there are more important things to pay attention to and that if my team (the Cubs) actualy won games I could pay attention to something other than their uniforms. While that hurts because it may be true, in a sport like baseball or football where they do so much standing around between fluries of activity what else are you going to do?

[quote comment=”82487″][quote comment=”82483″]..to direct-sewn lettering — a major improvement.

Why do you see this as an improvement? Ever look at the arch of team that use direct sewing? The practically go link. link! Having the nameplate ensures a link, no matter the length.[/quote]
Yes, but as in the Twins case, it looks like crap with pinstripes.[/quote]

I’m just talking in symmetrical terms with the name. There is more uniformity to the way the name is displayed when they are on a nameplate. I hate off center and uneven lettering.

I’m 50/50 on the nameplate on pinstrip thing too. It looks kind of goofy, but kind of unique too. And it would be a NIGHTMARE if the nameplates had stipes on them. The stipes on the jerseys are never in the same place on different sized jerseys, so it would not be possible to have the name exactly in the center of each jersey…which I hope equipment managers stive for!

Still haven’t heard from Paul though on why he thinks direct sewing is a major improvement???

[quote comment=”82588″]Minna, With a 12 week old at home, I don’t think I can convince my wife to come along. She also doesn’t quoite understand my Uni Watch obsession as when I start talking sports she tunes out. I think if she actualy listened though she’d be intriged as she’s one that loves shoes and fashion. I’ve tried to get her to pay attention but she tells me there are more important things to pay attention to and that if my team (the Cubs) actualy won games I could pay attention to something other than their uniforms. While that hurts because it may be true, in a sport like baseball or football where they do so much standing around between fluries of activity what else are you going to do?[/quote]

Ah. Yes. Well. No, she probably doesn’t want to take a 12 week old to a bar. Wait, she likes shoes? Does she like to go shopping? Do you see where I am going with this?

It’s funny because I have no interest in shopping or clothing in general (except I know I have to wear it when going outside my house), but I am obsessed with uni-watching. I think it’s the details. I’m OCD-minded in general, so the details fascinate me.

How about you buy your wife a pair of link? I think that would buy you a night out. Or, let her have a girls’ night out Saturday in exchange for you coming to the TCUWP. That sounds fair. Or, a babysitter and the two of you have a romantic night out.

It just doesn’t seem fair that you are so close and yet so far.

[quote comment=”82594″]I bought her breaks for her car this week. Does that count?[/quote]

*Sigh*. No. That is a guy thing. Even though to you it says, “I love you and want to make sure you are with me for a long time,” to her it says, “Here are your brakes”, or quite possibly, “Here are your brakes because I know you would never think of it.”

I am telling you, you get her a link link link, and you are good to go.

[quote comment=”82594″]Not sure how we all missed this until now, but someone on the Chris Creamer boards alertly noticed that the Mariners have switched from using nameplates[/quote]
I saw the news of the Mariners switching from nameplates here in the comments section a while ago.

I think the Washington Nationals have a pretty cool looking link.

[quote comment=”82597″][quote comment=”82595″][quote comment=”82594″]I bought her breaks for her car this week. Does that count?[/quote]

*Sigh*. No. That is a guy thing. Even though to you it says, “I love you and want to make sure you are with me for a long time,” to her it says, “Here are your brakes”, or quite possibly, “Here are your brakes because I know you would never think of it.”

I am telling you, you get her a link link link, and you are good to go.[/quote]

It would help if I knew her shoe size for the different shoe company. If I’ve learned one thing from her it is that no to shoe companies use the same molds for their shoe sizes so a person can be a 9 in one and an 11 in another. Thank goodness fitted hats aren’t that difficult. An 8 3/4 is an 8 3/4[/quote]
8 3/4?? HOLY BARRY BONDS!! I have a melon at 7 5/8. Dang! you must be smart.

Minna, I think you’re going to have to relegate yourself to spending more time Chatting with Paul Firday night instead of me as I’ll probably be at home watching tivoed eppisodes of Greys Anatamy or The Office with my wife and baby instead. I sure wish I could be there as I’d talk all kinds of noncense about hockey with Paul and how he’s missing the boat with watching goalie equipment and the subtle fads there. Maybe I’ll start commenting on that more.

[quote comment=”82597″][quote comment=”82595″][quote comment=”82594″]I bought her breaks for her car this week. Does that count?[/quote]

*Sigh*. No. That is a guy thing. Even though to you it says, “I love you and want to make sure you are with me for a long time,” to her it says, “Here are your brakes”, or quite possibly, “Here are your brakes because I know you would never think of it.”

I am telling you, you get her a link link link, and you are good to go.[/quote]

It would help if I knew her shoe size for the different shoe company. If I’ve learned one thing from her it is that no to shoe companies use the same molds for their shoe sizes so a person can be a 9 in one and an 11 in another. Thank goodness fitted hats aren’t that difficult. An 8 3/4 is an 8 3/4[/quote]

8 3/4??? Well done Mr. Bonds. I demand a drug test on Joe!!!

[quote comment=”82608″][quote comment=”82606″][quote comment=”82603″]Does Uni-Watch recognize ballroom dancing as an official sport? If so, those shoes would be a great topic. But …. I’m gonna leave that alone.[/quote]

Well, we did touch on ice-skating yesterday, so I suppose we could link link link.

And everybody just died a bit inside.[/quote]

We could, but we won’t.[/quote]

LET’S NOT!!!!!!

[quote comment=”82605″][quote comment=”82597″][quote comment=”82595″][quote comment=”82594″]I bought her breaks for her car this week. Does that count?[/quote]

*Sigh*. No. That is a guy thing. Even though to you it says, “I love you and want to make sure you are with me for a long time,” to her it says, “Here are your brakes”, or quite possibly, “Here are your brakes because I know you would never think of it.”

I am telling you, you get her a link link link, and you are good to go.[/quote]

It would help if I knew her shoe size for the different shoe company. If I’ve learned one thing from her it is that no to shoe companies use the same molds for their shoe sizes so a person can be a 9 in one and an 11 in another. Thank goodness fitted hats aren’t that difficult. An 8 3/4 is an 8 3/4[/quote]
8 3/4?? HOLY BARRY BONDS!! I have a melon at 7 5/8. Dang! you must be smart.[/quote]

I was thinking the same thing about that 8 3/4. Surely that’s a typo. As far as hat sizes go I wear a 7 5/8 in the 59/50 and 7 1/2 in anything made by Zephyr. So even hat sizes can vary by brand. Also the old 59/50 varies in size according to how old the hat is. Start with a 7 1/2, 3 months later it’s a 7 1/4, hate those things.

[quote comment=”82595″]
I am telling you, you get her a link link link, and you are good to go.[/quote]

wait! so only manolos work? what girl wouldnt want to rock a pair of air jordans, air max 95’s, air max 360’s, dunk lows, air force 1 lows, or any number of nike shox?

Ah yes . . .I bought a 59fifty in a size 8. . . just because I know it’ll shrink. It’s a bit big right now, but just a bit.

[quote comment=”82610″]I thought Yankees players were strictly to wear Adidas link[/quote]

Not true.
link wearing nike

link in jordans

Just off the top of my head

[quote comment=”82599″][quote comment=”82594″]Not sure how we all missed this until now, but someone on the Chris Creamer boards alertly noticed that the Mariners have switched from using nameplates[/quote]
I saw the news of the Mariners switching from nameplates here in the comments section a while ago.[/quote]

God I hate being ‘that guy’ that calls attention to himself, but yeah that was me that pointed that out about three or four weeks ago. I mentioned that it seemed like the Mariners were forgoing the lazy route by directly sewing the names onto the uniforms rather than using the nameplates they used last year at which point our resident uniform letter attachment specialist Joe H. corrected me by saying that it’s actually quicker to sew the names directly onto the uniform rather than sew them onto a nameplate and then onto the uniform.

Since when has this site become a place for woman’s accessories?

[quote comment=”82636″]Since when has this site become a place for woman’s accessories?[/quote]
Where have you been? We voted on this two weeks ago. Tomorrow’s entry on Italian handbags promises to be HUGE!

[quote comment=”82640″]those italics are tough on the eyes.[/quote]
wasn’t me this time. I’ll try to close let me see. how did i do?

nope. here let me try.

was that you or me Sammy?

[quote comment=”82528″]I’m not a fan of the Gigantes thing. But I dig the Giants. Can we stop screwing with uni’s with all this honouring crap. We don’t even honour the U.S.A when it’s July 4th, if we did in a uni sense every team would have USA on the front of their jersey![/quote]

The A’s used to wear some pretty dope Red, White and Blue uni’s for 4th of July.

Jesus!

[quote comment=”82627″][quote comment=”82625″][quote comment=”82610″]I thought Yankees players were strictly to wear Adidas link[/quote]

Not true.
link wearing nike

link in jordans

Just off the top of my head[/quote]
I’ve noticed that too, but I’m pretty sure a while back someone on the team got sued from Adidas just because they weren’t endorsing their product. For some reason Giambi comes to mind..[/quote]

You’d figure with the tri-stripes plastered all over the stadium, Adidas would have something better to do than go after individual players.

[quote comment=”82652″][quote comment=”82528″]I’m not a fan of the Gigantes thing. But I dig the Giants. Can we stop screwing with uni’s with all this honouring crap. We don’t even honour the U.S.A when it’s July 4th, if we did in a uni sense every team would have USA on the front of their jersey![/quote]

The A’s used to wear some pretty dope Red, White and Blue uni’s for 4th of July.[/quote]

I think it’s great that you speak of honouring the USA while using the British spelling. The USA red, white and blue unis would in this instance, be colourful.

[quote comment=”82651″]Did that work?

This weekend Michigan and Michigan state softball did the pink uniforms for breast cancer thing, and BOTH teams wore pink tops. One team wore colored pants, and the other white in each game. link and link

Also, my high school’s opponent today had a left throwing catcher. Sorry I couldn’t get pictures, though.[/quote]
It looks like the Michigan unis got thrown into the wash with a red towel.

Steinbrenner went out years ago and did his own renegade deal with Adidas, much like Jerry Jones did with the Cowboys before Nike was part of the NFL.

Adidas shoes are avail to any player who doesn’t have his own deal, I think. But an MLB club cannot dictate what glove or shoe or bat to use- I think that’s a “personal services” contract. And what’s up with these italics?

[quote comment=”82636″][/quote]
Fixed?

If this doesn’t work, I’ll stop.

[quote comment=”82682″][quote comment=”82671″][quote comment=”82652″][quote comment=”82528″]I’m not a fan of the Gigantes thing. But I dig the Giants. Can we stop screwing with uni’s with all this honouring crap. We don’t even honour the U.S.A when it’s July 4th, if we did in a uni sense every team would have USA on the front of their jersey![/quote]

The A’s used to wear some pretty dope Red, White and Blue uni’s for 4th of July.[/quote]

I couldn’t find any in-game pics of the A’s’ Red, White and Blues. However, I found a pic of some upstanding five and dimers. The dude in the middle is representing the finest organization in all of sport with their patriotic alternative jersey and hat.

link
That guy on the right has a hockey style catcher’s mask on his head.[/quote]

That is actually an impressive collection of jerseys. Almost every era of is represented. Even the Black alternates.

Two things about those Madden 08 screenshots:

(1) The black tape goes up the player’s calf and covers up the white part of the sock. Interesting.

(2) What’s up with those “white” cleats? I guess someone at EA Sports couldn’t tell the difference between white and silver.

In reference to the Floyd Mayweather Jr. Mexican attire Saturday- there was some mention made of his uncle and cornerman Roger being known as “The Mexican Assasin” when he was a fighter

glad to see more baseball teams are going to direct sewn letters, nameplates= CHEAPSKATES!!!!

[quote comment=”82702″][quote comment=”82697″][quote comment=”82694″]Two things about those Madden 08 screenshots:

(1) The black tape goes up the player’s calf and covers up the white part of the sock. Interesting.

(2) What’s up with those “white” cleats? I guess someone at EA Sports couldn’t tell the difference between white and silver.[/quote]
They also went with the numbers each of the players wore in college. I don’t think Ted Ginn will be wearing #7 with Miami.[/quote]

Yup yup, they showed him at the rookie practice wearing #11……[/quote]

They do this early in the draft so they dont know what number the player will actually wear so the give them the college number so they can be easily reconized.

The Twins put last names on the home jerseys starting in 1996–ironically, the first season after Kirby’s last game. I remember seeing him that year with the awkward name (on nameplate) combination and thinking how strange it looked after growing up in the ’80s without names on the home unis. The names have always been on plates and not directly sewn.

The names were on the road jerseys from 1987 forward; I’ve always liked the look of these jerseys though they suffer from the same problem with the pinstripes vs. the nameplate.

link for a brief history on the Twins’ jerseys.

[quote comment=”82733″]The Twins put last names on the home jerseys starting in 1996–ironically, the first season after Kirby’s last game. I remember seeing him that year with the awkward name (on nameplate) combination and thinking how strange it looked after growing up in the ’80s without names on the home unis. The names have always been on plates and not directly sewn.

The names were on the road jerseys from 1987 forward; I’ve always liked the look of these jerseys though they suffer from the same problem with the pinstripes vs. the nameplate.

link for a brief history on the Twins’ jerseys.[/quote]
Wes, thanks for the info. I was always partial to link uni myself.

Off topic, but does anyone recall the link for the 1880s baseball with Conan O’Brien, I want to see thsoe unis again.

those*

Getting back to the protective facial gear, when I was 11 playing little league, I was hit in the eye by a ball and it crushed my retina. The field we played on was pretty bumpy, left field had you looking directly into the sunset, and it was my first time ever playing left. The ball took a nasty hop off of a mound in the grass and whammo. I couldn’t play for two weeks, and when I returned, I had to wear protective goggles. The only thing I could find was a pair of my dad’s old racquet ball goggles. I kind of felt like Chris Sabo. I played the rest of the season with them on, and didn’t let another ball by me. The thing I remember most about the goggles was checking their placement on my head before every inning by taking a ball and holding it up to the frames to make sure the ball wouldn’t touch me. I don’t know if the face mask worn by the pitcher would really do anything, but I don’t think I could have gone back out on the field without those goggles.

[quote comment=”82694″]Two things about those Madden 08 screenshots:

(1) The black tape goes up the player’s calf and covers up the white part of the sock. Interesting.

(2) What’s up with those “white” cleats? I guess someone at EA Sports couldn’t tell the difference between white and silver.[/quote]
I wish that the Madden games would get better with permanent stadium details. As in that screen grab with Vikings at Packers… why don’t they have the retired names and numbers along with the hall of fame names that are always at Lambeau Field? Just a little detail I would like to see.

Goddamit. I didn’t even post a link. Let’s try again.

stuby, I wouldn’t likeit if the Twins brought back the baby blues as I hate pastels–yes, including the fabled Chargers powder blues.

todd k., not all women, but most shoe-hounds would kill for a pair of Manolo Blahnik shoes. joe, yes, they are ugly, but that is the designer laughing his ass off at gullible rich women. I would never buy a pair because I don’t wear heels; I have a modicum of taste; and I wouldn’t pay that much for a pair of shoes. Then again, I didn’t know any of the sneakers todd k. listed, either. I am not a shoe woman at all.

Joe D., aw, too bad. We will lift a drink to you and talk about your gigantic head. Your acerbic wit will be missed.

I am going to pretend I didn’t see the pink jerseys. Man, I will be glad when Mother’s Day is over so the pink will go away until next year.

speaking of name plates….watching the Cards-Rockies game and Falkenborg (Cards) just got pulled from pitching but his name was WAY off to the left side of this uniform. Maybe it was the way the uniform was positioned but it looked like it was just off. Maybe someone will find a picture.

Minna, that’s just me longing for the baseball unis of my youth. I would also love to see some team go back to a link sometime soon.

[quote comment=”82550″]Actually, one of the best thing ASA did was make the ‘hockey’ helmet mandatory for 18U catchers….for umpiring they suck…

I tried a friends helmet ONCE behind the plate – and RAN back to my Wilson A380 -way too claustrophobic, and you look like an idiot when you have to pull it off to call plays….

My current equipment:

New Balance cross trainer base shoes

Spot Bilt mid cut U55 steel toed plate shoes

Wilson A380 mask

Gerry Davis/Wilson leg guards[/quote]

I have been umpiring baseball for over 15 years. Depending on the level, I wear either a standard mask, or the goalie-style mask (for adult leagues). I have taken fouls and pitched balls off the mask, and I have never felt discomfort with the goalie mask.

Like any helmet, you get used to the bars. I have never missed a call due to my peripheral vision being blocked, and I can remove the helmet almost as quickly as the regular mask. I’ve never had a problem with it. The only thing I wish it had is an extended throat guard.

My current equipment:

+Pos chest protector (for Little League/Junior League)

Honigs Elite Chest Protector (all levels above Junior league)

+Pos Joe Brinkman model leg guards

Honigs mid-cut plate shoes, Nautilus steel toe plate shoes, Adidas Torsion base shoes (turf-style cleat)

Honigs light weight mask, Gerry Davis light weight mask

All-Star hockey-style mask

At least link wears the link type of socks even he is pitching pathetically.

[quote comment=”82845″]At least link wears the link type of socks even he is pitching pathetically.[/quote]

Reyes is coming around. Some hitting and some defense would do wonders for this team. And great socks. I enjoyed having Pence in town for a few days, even though he wears solid socks and hit a grand slam off us.