throat protectors?

[nickrego]

I wear one, even though my USM (Umpire Style Helmet) has an extended cage. I get hit in the 'hanging protector' several times per year.

My son used to not wear one, until he took one in the throat. Now, he doesn't care how stupid they look, he's never without it.

[TussAgee11]

Nick - does he play LL? they mandate the throat protector. Cal Ripken should do the same, but they are idiots IMO when it comes to saftety (10 year olds with on deck circles?)

One problem I have with my WV Platinum is that, being a small guy, I can't get it to come up so far for that bumper to touch the mask. It sags a bit, and the straps won't get any tighter...

[nickrego]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

Nick - does he play LL? they mandate the throat protector. Cal Ripken should do the same, but they are idiots IMO when it comes to saftety (10 year olds with on deck circles?)

My son is 19 years old, and umpires at all the same levels I do. He no longer plays, only officiates.

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

One problem I have with my WV Platinum is that, being a small guy, I can't get it to come up so far for that bumper to touch the mask. It sags a bit, and the straps won't get any tighter...

Never heard of such a thing. If you want your chest protection to come up to, and touch the bottom of your mask, you need to switch to an outside Balloon protector.

[LLPA13UmpDan]

Originally Posted by Tim C

You probably carry an indiclickercounter on the bases too.

I take offense to that comment. Hey, I use one

[LakeErieUmp]

Unless your association is an odd one a face mask extension IS a throat protector. Think about it. In FED a catcher with a hockey-style helmet satisfies the throat protector REQUIREMENT with that equipment type. It's only the masks that need a dangler, and then only the "old fashioned" ones that have no throat protection.
The rules require the throat be protected, they do not require a $4 piece of plastic as the only way to do so.

[pdxblue]

Those extended frame masks DO NOT protect from the ball bouncing up from the ground into your throat!

To each their own. But I tell you, I get hit in that throat protector often enough to REALLY like them!

Come on Tim, you have been around long enough to remember when most everybody carried a clicker while on the bases. I don't personally, and usually request that my partner doesn't carry one as well, but aside from them looking kind of silly looking down at it all the time, it is no big deal to use one on the bases.

You should be ashamed of yourself, being the big shot you are, at taking a stab at somebody like that!

[pdxblue]

LOL....I have talked to you in person many times!

And I really HAVE been hit on the throat protector "several times", it is just that I am much closer to the batter than you ever get!

Good try on baiting me for my identity.

And just where were you on the 3 man mechanics clinic day? You KNOW you should have never done a playoff game for missing that. You didn't have a game at that time, so you had NO excuse.

Loser!!!

[pdxblue]

Now now Tim, don't be calling me a bunch of names in private messages. If you got anything to say to me, say it in public here!

Suck your d*ck? LOL...I don't have a magnifying glass to find it!

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by nickrego

...my USM (Umpire Style Helmet)...

Must be a typo. You obviously mean your "USH", or Umpire Style Mask.

[SAump]

I didn't like the dangling throat protector swinging off the bottom bar of my mask. So I attached it to a bar near the chin and held it firmly in place. Now I have been hit at least a 1/2 dozen times to the top of the mask, the center and the bottom and I have three different reactions.

1) the top of the mask - every now and then the top bar of the mask slams into my head and this hurts. Other than visual symmetry and tunneling vision, I can't figure why so much useless padding is inserted beneath the top bar. I wish they would redesign padding between the top bar and one's head. I have learned to make sure to adjust the mask slightly higher to get more use from the top edge of padding than I get from the bar. It hurts a second but I recover quickly. The pain goes with the job.

2) the center of the mask - often the most frightening. Once the initial shock and flinch wear off, I get an internal laugh out of it because I admit I was scared of something that didn't really hurt at all. My mindset begins to question the damage to the integrity of the face cage because what I don't know may hurt me later. I now worry more about the next one, than the last one. The worry goes with the job.

3) the bottom of the mask with added throat protector - often the loudest and a win win. Once I added the throat protector, I worry less about this area of the mask. The hard plastic TP, the metal bars, and the padding combine to provide the best possible protection. It doesn't hurt, I don't flinch, and I know that cheap throat protector adds to the overall strength and integrity of the mask. Let's strap it on.

[TussAgee11]

Originally Posted by SAump

I didn't like the dangling throat protector swinging off the bottom bar of my mask. So I attached it to a bar near the chin and held it firmly in place. Now I have been hit at least a 1/2 dozen times to the top of the mask, the center and the bottom and I have three different reactions.

1) the top of the mask - every now and then the top bar of the mask slams into my head and this hurts. Other than visual symmetry and tunneling vision, I can't figure why so much useless padding is inserted beneath the top bar. I wish they would redesign padding between the top bar and one's head. I have learned to make sure to adjust the mask slightly higher to get more use from the top edge of padding than I get from the bar. It hurts a second but I recover quickly. The pain goes with the job.

2) the center of the mask - often the most frightening. Once the initial shock and flinch wear off, I get an internal laugh out of it because I admit I was scared of something that didn't really hurt at all. My mindset begins to question the damage to the integrity of the face cage because what I don't know may hurt me later. I now worry more about the next one, than the last one. The worry goes with the job.

3) the bottom of the mask with added throat protector - often the loudest and a win win. Once I added the throat protector, I worry less about this area of the mask. The hard plastic TP, the metal bars, and the padding combine to provide the best possible protection. It doesn't hurt, I don't flinch, and I know that cheap throat protector adds to the overall strength and integrity of the mask. Let's strap it on.

Plus the throat guard makes a really loud noise, which creates some "you alright Blue's" which are always fun.

[briancurtin]

i dont wear one. i was a catcher from when i started, up through college baseball, and im behind the mask strictly as an umpire now. i have never worn a dangling throat protector, nor have i thought about wearing one.

[jwwashburn]

Originally Posted by briancurtin

i dont wear one. i was a catcher from when i started, up through college baseball, and im behind the mask strictly as an umpire now. i have never worn a dangling throat protector, nor have i thought about wearing one.

Do you wear shinguards?

[briancurtin]

do you have a point?

[nickrego]

Originally Posted by GarthB

Must be a typo. You obviously mean your "USH", or Umpire Style Mask.

Thanks Garth