Quote:
Originally Posted by umpduck11
Do you get hit in the ears often ? The only times I've ever seen it happen,
the umpire turned his head and caught it with his ear. In all my years of umpiring, I've never been hit in the side of the head with a ricochet or any foul or bouncing ball.
If an umpire does what he should and stay facing forward, the ear extensions
of a mask will protect them.
|
Two times I saw anything happen and both times it was a wood bat snapping off. One welt, and one gash. And once again, I am a mask wearer. I agree with you. I don't turn my head or duck and I have never needed a helmet and never called a game in one yet. I used a catcher's one when I was a catcher, and I tried a new Wilson at a workout when someone twisted my arm. There's no doubt that it absorbs a straight shot better than a mask. No doubt. But for the five straight shots per several thousand pitches, I will still take my stunners to have that light, easy to handle mask.