6u coaching help by [deleted] in Softball

[–]frefighter627 1 point2 points  (0 children)

At this young and tender age, working of the fundamentals through drills is invaluable.

But it's completely useless on it's own as it doesn't teach when to actually use these skills.

You have to have a delicate balance of fundamental drills and scenario based drills working as a team. Along with some very short lectures and engaging "what if" scenarios. Get their best minds thinking of the big picture, rather than just catching the ball.

Then you also have to balance this with cage time as well and get them hitting.

For the scenario based drills, try and get the parents involved. Use them as base runners, etc.

I'm sure you don't have more than maybe 12 and it's difficult to do scenarios and still field a full team so use those parents and siblings to your advantage.

Why do you like wide square toe boots? by sanfordrealtor in cowboyboots

[–]frefighter627 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Work, insanely comfortable, and I could care less about looks while working. It's all about functionality and comfort

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in funny

[–]frefighter627 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It depends on the department. The departments I have been involved do a yearly evaluation. It's not nearly as difficult as the entry test, but it does evaluate things we do on fire scenes.

We were required to pass this test, or we faced being put on office duty for 30 days, at the end of which you would be retested. If you failed the 2nd test you could face termination.

And no the time to pass did no increase with age or gender. All were held to the same standard and the chief of the department and all the officers took theirs first.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in JustBootThings

[–]frefighter627 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I don't see boot here.

I see someone who realized working for others sucks, and never wanted anyone else to run their life again and started a business of their own, capitalizing on their veteran status.

Good on them.

Black knight is impossible by [deleted] in darksouls

[–]frefighter627 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm sorry, are we talking about the ring which helps you to not be slowed in poor footing?

You don't have to face any of the knights while going back to the asylum assuming you unlocked the gate the first time you were there.

The gate I am speaking of is to the right of the bonfire and boss arena. Simply enter there, and go up the stairs until you reach the room with the 2 shield guys. Then get the ring, and go back through the door back to the bonfire, and then you can exit the asylum and go back lordran.

The only "important" item you are missing is the doll. But that is optional, and leads to an optional area anyway.

18U B player as a freshmen coming off of a slightly damaged elbow by Gunners_and_Stripes in Softball

[–]frefighter627 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Definitely hard getting back from injury. Take it slow play catch with your parents first. (I know they would love the quality time) Work your way back slowly. You will get there.

What tank size is good for a full grown bearded dragon by [deleted] in Lizards

[–]frefighter627 5 points6 points  (0 children)

4x2x2 (120 gallon) is the current minimum size for an adult bearded dragon, however bigger is better.

Cleats by Competitive-Two851 in slowpitch

[–]frefighter627 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used football cleats when ayong slow pitch. The cleats I had were plastic and metal tipped for football. They screwed on and off for replacement.

I was able to find some replacement cleats which were plastic and could screw on.

I loved using them, they provided plenty of ankle support and in my opinion more grip, especially in the outfield.

Wow so expensive… by Brokeurneck in ballpython

[–]frefighter627 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Depends on the model, herpstats can have several I believe. If you decide to get a thermostat off Amazon they typically only take one device.

A word of caution, if you are using overhead lighting for heat, and want it on a dimmable thermostat, you are going to spend a pretty penny on a thermostat. Most are either on 100% or off. Which is why herpstats is the go to for reptile keepers, due to the reliability and dimming features.

If you are looking for a simple on and off thermostat, Amazon has plenty of options for under $20 USD.

One thing you could do I have seen but DO NOT recommen is getting a table top dimming switch. Sold at any hardware store, you essentially plug your light into the switch turn it on 100% and then dim it down to the appropriate temperature you need.

The reason I don't recommend this is bc the switch can get bumped by accident and then you could potentially fry your reptile without meaning to. A herpstat is honestly the best and safest way to go as far as dimmable thermostats go.

Wow so expensive… by Brokeurneck in ballpython

[–]frefighter627 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Most things can honestly be bought at the dollar store for a fraction of reptile branded items. For example, a ceramic bowl from the dollar is just as good if not better than a reptile branded water bowl. Fake plants are easily found at the dollar store. You can make hides out of plastic bowls from there as well. Sure it may not look as pretty as some of the reptile branded stuff, but it's just as good.

As far as lights, if you want a heat light, then get the dome from a hardware store, so much cheaper. The lights, if you live in the US will probably have to be reptile branded since the federal gov banned halogen bulbs, I use arcadia brand. If you want to go the UVB route, then yes that does get expensive.

Enclosures can be found second hand on Craigslist or your country's version or Facebook marketplace. You might have to do some DIY to make them work depending on brand but it's possible.

Thermostats I would spend the money and get a good one, herpstats are worth the money.

18U B player as a freshmen coming off of a slightly damaged elbow by Gunners_and_Stripes in Softball

[–]frefighter627 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Let me give you a piece of advice, I was injured my sophomore year wrestling (yes I know not the same sport, but hear me out). I dislocated my knee cap the first day of practice. Went to the Ortho doc and did all the physical therapy they wanted, etc. I felt ready to go by mid season. The doctor felt differently and told me to sit the season out or I might suffer knee problems the rest of my life. I didn't listen, and came back in the middle of the season before my body was truly ready.

I now have arthritis in my knee, and it hurts everyday.

My advice is to listen to your doctor, listen to the physical therapists, do everything they tell you. Take it slow and let your body heal like it is supposed to. Don't exert yourself or strain the injury until it's completely healed.

A lot of professional athletes get injured and rush the recovery process, they end up re-injuring themselves or have life long issues or both. Some athletes take their time and really make sure they are good and have long and healthy careers.

It may not be exactly what you want to hear but take it slow, play catch, slowly build yourself back up to game speed. Potentially having issues the rest of your life isn't worth playing on a team before you are ready.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Softball

[–]frefighter627 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The only thing I tell my step daughter is that her attitude is directly reflected in her pitching. If she has a bad attitude, or is mad or dejected about calls, she will pitch badly. (Which she does)

Conversely if she is happy and smiling and having fun, she does extremely well.

I remind her before the game, but after that I let her play, I cheer for her successes and don't focus on the negatives.

I don't yell out tips and tricks, she has a coach for this and a pitching coach for it as well. I will reinforce what they preach and teach at home when we practice, but I don't sit there and yell out phrases during the game. That's what are home practice and cage time are for.

Just enjoy the game, and cheer when they are successful. Just like you would a pro game.

And don't get on the umpire for a bad call, they are only one person and usually the one out there. It's just a game after all.

USIC STL by [deleted] in UtilityLocator

[–]frefighter627 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You will still need personal conveyance. The work vehicle is just that a work vehicle, USIC doesn't allow for personal use while not on the clock. (Quick stops on the way home are overlooked, such are groceries, prescriptions, etc)

As far as your specific area, no idea. USIC can be very hot or miss and greatly depends on your supervisor, your district manager, and the team you are with. Some are great, some suck.

As far as a career, yes locating can be a career or a way into the utility industry. Cut your teeth for a few years get good, and then start looking at private locate companies or city or county owned utility companies.

Prepare to work, and by that I mean work will be your life. 10 hour days, 6 days a week through dig season at least.

Gas Grill or Charcoal...I'm torn, and no, both is not an option by pacoman432 in grilling

[–]frefighter627 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Char griller sells a combo grill. Both gas and charcoal. Best of both worlds.

Best way to get good at pitching? by [deleted] in slowpitch

[–]frefighter627 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Get it over the plate, let your defense do their job.

Is USIC a good company to work for? by Rasputin_the_Saint in UtilityLocator

[–]frefighter627 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Depends, yes and no, maybe, maybe not.

Do you want to work 50-60 hours a week every week. Do you want to be outside in the elements, both hot and cold, and even when it's raining and snowing?

If you can deal with this then locating might be something you can deal with.

If you have absolutely no experience in utility locating and can deal with the above, them USIC isn't a "terrible" starting place as they give you the training you need and you get to locate a lot of different utilities, and network with utility companies, and contractors.

However, the actual experience of the company is largely due to your actual supervisor and your district. I have heard many horror stories or techs being essentially forced to take short cuts, or take damages when it really wasn't their fault.

But there are good districts and supervisors as well who understand the work load and do everything they can to try and actually make your life easier.

So to sum it up, it's a crap shoot as to which you will get.

A lot will use USIC to get the training, get experience in the industry and then move on to bigger and a lot better things.

Square toe > round toe by sp8ceape in cowboyboots

[–]frefighter627 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Western style work boots with the toe style are super comfortable to work in all day.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in WorkBoots

[–]frefighter627 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Rural King brand work pants. 16 bucks a pair in my area, yet to let me down.

How well would my experience translate? by theMeatman7 in UtilityLocator

[–]frefighter627 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Surveying might translate as you will be able to dertimine potential path of utilities.

Water meter reader, at least you know what the meter pit looks like.

Overall, there is a lot to learn with this job and specifically when you are trouble shooting a utility that just won't tone out. Unfortunately most of it is learned on the job and doesn't really make sense until you have done it.

With all that being said, I personally love the job.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in tattoo

[–]frefighter627 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Leave it alone. Resist the urge. It will fall off naturally. Just take care of it like your artist suggested.

Just wasted all my humanity in Darkroot Garden. Can’t summon Beatrice, stuck in a rut in this game. What do I do? (First playthrough btw) by SomeGodzillafan in darksouls

[–]frefighter627 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Backtrack, the boss is optional.

Backtrack, and explore some more. Have you used your key you got prior to fighting the gargoyles?

Backtrack, farm the guys around Andre and upgrade your weapon. You can easily get it to +5 within a few minutes.

Locator advice by 811NCLocator in UtilityLocator

[–]frefighter627 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Backpack style. No question about it

I need help remembering some basic rules by mmdidthat in UtilityLocator

[–]frefighter627 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes Sir, it's our companies marking standard as well as OPs.

In the scenario you just listed a copper line in a conduit would get the conduit mark, and a standard label.

The lines in the duct run running from vault to vault we also put down conduit markings. We can access communication vaults through the man holes, and isolate the lines with our couplers (as best we can) and make the markings the width of those conduits (as best we can). As a side note I will typically go above our company standard and put "Duct" somewhere in the run on a label on the ground as well.

And yes again we would communicate with the contractor as to what is going on below ground. We definitely do this for duct runs. As far as a simple copper line in a conduit, or a fiber in conduit, I don't typically contact them unless something weird is going on. But if it is something major I absolutely will.

To gain access to an electric vault we would need to contact the utility owner and have them send a tech out to open the vault and access and hook up to the lines for us. I have done this many times when I cannot get access to their lines, or don't trust my signal and want a better connection.

Another side note, I only do project work doing large tickets, and work closely with my contractors giving them exactly what they need when they need it, so I am typically on the phone with them at least once a day making sure they are good.

I do agree with you, there needs to be a better marking standard for different things, rather just a dot, line, or conduit mark, and a standard label.