[MajorDave]

Last night I had the dish for a HS varsity game. Pitcher for #5 ranked team in state, per coaches poll, throwing 85 and a little wild. One of his pitches is low and either skips off the plate or dirt and ricochets under the catcher and straight up my chest under my mask. How it got there I will never know, but it was an attempted fastball per my question to catcher after the pitch. It hits the dangler I mount just under and behind the built in extension on my Wilson Chrome Moliben mask. Dangler essentially folds back against my neck effectively blocking the ball from striking my adam's apple/voice box. Dangler stung me a little at a point just above where collarbones join breastbone. I wear Honig's K-1 XL size and the dangler kind of stuck on top of the neck piece that attaches by velcro on the K-1. I pulled the dangler loose, called a ball and both coaches and partner and catcher ask if I am okay. No problem. No mark. No game delay. I hesitate to think what if....? Anyway, many of you say you will never wear one, it looks sissified, etc. Again, what if .....? You grizzled old farts who don't wear one, keep doing what you are doing, it's your health at risk. You younger or newer guys should get one and wear it. I use a 4" honigs attached by velcro straps. Well worth the expense and the inconvenience. Just my two cents and personal story of the moment.