Quote:
Originally Posted by Klokard
W Sohl, your meaning? The HSM is not a guarantee against injury. The reason for the ear flaps and associated protection for catchers is due to the fact that they are involved in plays. If as an umpire you turn your head and offer up your ears to a batted or thrown ball, that is a mechanic issue. Again, in 28 years, I have never been hit in the ears or open part of my head. The foul tip that caught Kerwin Danley and put him down was a once in a million shot and a HSM may or may not have prevented it. I don't look down on people wearing the HSM I just prefer the option of not having to. I don't even wear the added throat protector that some umpires choose to wear.
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I'm agreeing with you. I don't use the HSM, I have the cage style or whatever you call it. I also wear the extra throat guard. I don't offer my ears to foul balls, I keep my focus towards the field of play and on the ball during an AB. I feel the mask that I have is plenty of protection and I am not spending the money on a HSM. If it ever becomes mandatory, I will look for another spring sport to officiate. I've always wanted a starters pistol.