[Panda Bear]

I've read this thread, and others in the past on the same subject. I am TOTALLY befuddled by this.

In this area, working High School / 18U & down, I have only ever seen 1 ump without gear behind the plate in a fast pitch game. (He is a tough old bird that appears to be built of steel bands & rawhide, and is also an exception to several laws of nature.) Even the parents doing entry level LL minors all have something!

What has happened several times are experienced umps, even wearing baseball-grade gear, still getting broken bones and other serious injuries from hard hits on the gear. A 60-70 mph softball fouled off a high-tech bat CAN be a literal cannon ball!

I fully respect the right of some to choose to not wear gear when not required. But, with all due respect, in this day and age, it is beyond my comprehension how anyone could rationalize not using at least "industry standard" safety gear.

This is like some "adults"(?) choosing to not wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle, just because the law doesn't require it in some states.

I am also a medically trained responder, and have seen what can happen WITH SAFETY GEAR IN PLACE, as well as not.

As society, and all us insurance paying members, will get to pay at least part of the bill for avoidable injuries that someone has the "right" to self-inflict, I think the days of "no gear" need to go the way of the days of "no seat belts".