Wearing Chest Protector
It goes beyond the Ump getting hurt. We've contracted to officiate a game. We're the binding arbitrator (don't we wish the coaches and fans truly believed that). An umpire hurt becomes an umpire less efficient. An umpire hurt to the point of leaving a game leaves the game without proper coverage. The chest protector may be a little uncomfortable in the hottest of weather, but in general it's part of the assurance you bring to the game. Trying to be macho about it is, to me, putting ego before responsibility. Wear the CP.
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