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Originally posted by IRISHMAFIA
Quote:
Originally posted by NSABlue
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Originally posted by SRW
What level do you typically work with this one? I have it, and got smacked too many times where it wasn't... finally went to one that covered more of my chest. Taking a 50mph softball in the lower ribcage hurts like a son-of-a-gun. I only wear my H2 now for 14U and lower.
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I work NSA fastpitch tournament ball from 12-u to 18-U and also wear my K2 for high school ball. In all the years I've been wearing it, I've never been hit anywhere other than the shoulders or collarbone. It provides great protection for those areas as well as the miidle part of the upper chest. It is much cooler to wear the K2 during those hot summer tournaments than most of the others I've tried.
You mentioned getting hit in the lower ribcage (ouch!) Perhaps you need to re-think what stance you are using when you're behind the plate. It sounds as though you may be setting up a little to high. Many of the other umpires in my association don't wear any protection at all. I think they're crazy but I guess they're adults and they can make those decisions.
Here in So Md we have a pitcher who will be a HS senior this year who has already signed with Arizona (I think). She pitches for the VA Shamrocks who won the 18U Gold ASA National championship. This girl can really put some heat on the ball and I feel completely at ease when I work one of her games. (That might be because I am too busy admiring how this girl can pitch!)
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Maybe you should be admiring how good the catcher handles the hard ones. 
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Mike,
Trust me when I tell you this. I REALLY appreciate the catchers in front of me. I know the catcher from this girls HS team and she takes her responsibility of protecting the umpires very seriously. She knows how hard those pitches are coming! (she wears a palm guard glove AND a specially made hand pad to help her get through the season!)