[Welpe]

Originally Posted by JPaco54

You can not dispute the fact that the "Raft", "Balloon", "Mattress", "Barge" protector or whatever else we can name it, reduces bodily exposure, provides more protection. I assume we all have real jobs to go to after we umpire the next day, so I have been contemplating, after reading these posts, that for the sake of safety and protection, self-preservation, that the "Balloon" protector, outside protector, may be the way to go for Rec and youth baseball. We are for the most part, amateurs, or as one fellow ump stated, "it's a hobby", and is it worth the risk of injury, broken bones,bruised muscles - potential dr bills etc, to "get in a better postion", " or look more professional, for the sake of spending more money on inside protectors and sweat like all get out.

Sorry, I don't care what level I'm working, I am NOT using a balloon. Not even during "turn back the clock night", I'd rather go as an NL umpire and wear an inside protector. This may be a hobby but it is one I take seriously and I have a hard time taking a balloon seriously in this day and age.