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Originally Posted by Bassman
Of course I was approaching this with a rather tongue-in-cheek sense of humor. 
Now! As to why I have the interest in this subject? Watching vintage footage of the American League vets like Nestor Chylack, Art Frantz, etc. using the raft, it got me thinking "why would anyone in their right mind want areas of their bodies exposed to serious injury"? These areas include: Forearms, collarbone, lower sternum, and upper thighs. |
When discussing chest protectors, the collarbones, ribs and sternum are the most important areas that need to be protected. If you buy a quality chest protector
and properly adjust it, these areas are protected - plain and simple!
The arms, thighs and hands are exposed when using an inside cheat protector and are up to you to protect. Now ask yourself a question: Why would the guys that do this for a living move away from the "raft"? Because it made them more mobile, gave them a better view and made them better umpires! Would they give up protection? I don't think so!
Your problem is simple! You are dealing with amateur players (worse yet, small diamond players) and not professionals. A professional catcher will do everything possible not to let that ball get by him. Amateur players will try but some manage to sneak by them. Small diamond catchers have yet to learn their craft so if you work these games, you might be getting whacked more than normal.
I use a
properly adjusted WV Platinum and I have never sustained any injury to any part that the protector was designed to cover. My arms have been hit but nothing that didn't heal. I keep them tight to the body as others so they are not a target. My shin guards take a pounding but my thighs rarely get hit. I do not work the small diamond.
I stress properly adjusted because even the best made chest protector cannot do it;s job if it is not worn properly. Believe me when I tell you that most of the umpires that I see spend a lot of money on the latest and greatest but have no clue how to wear the unit properly! I actually worked with a guy several years ago that was wearing a WV Platinum and broke his left collarbone during a game! I told him as we were dressing that his protector was not correctly adjusted but he said "This is how I like to wear it!". He no longer umpires and tried to sue Wilson. His case was thrown out, by the way.
If you want to use a raft because you are afraid of being exposed, then by all means use it! You are going to take some ribbing for it but I think that it is better to use a raft than using thigh guard underwear and arm guards and hand protectors because they make you look like a complete a$$! By the way, I used to use a raft when I started over two and a half decades ago. The best day of my umpiring career was when I bought my first Diamond chest protector to wear under my Elbeco. I believe the feeling was of
Freedom!
Regards