throat guard discussion

[nickrego]

Originally Posted by LLPA13UmpDan

HSM's are not meant to be worn with a throat guard

I don't care what they are meant to be worn with ! (In your opinion.) A helmet doesn't protect your throat any better than a mask. It protects your head better.

The fact of the matter is...The ball can easily get up under your cage, and severely damage your throat.

I primarily work HS Varsity, and Adult baseball. So the catchers I have in front of me, are not good enough for me to go out there with a big hole in my equipment, that leads to such a vulnerable part of my body.

I also don't do this for a living, and don't get paid 6 figures to risk my neck (literally).

So, I recommend wearing a USH (Umpire Style Helmet), since I don't play hockey (HSM = Hockey Style Mask), AND a Throat Guard.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by nickrego

The fact of the matter is...The ball can easily get up under your cage, and severely damage your throat.

I'm curious as to how this can happen if your head is positioned properly. If you want to wear one as an additional safety measure, just say so. But to make the claim that a ball can easily get up under the cage is crying wolf.

Tim.

[ozzy6900]

I agree that if you are properly positioned and set, no ball should get under your mask. Note - this does not pertain to anyone using the scissors. The scissors puts your head out in front of your chest so a ball can sneak right up the "pipe" (windpipe that is).

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

I agree that if you are properly positioned and set, no ball should get under your mask. Note - this does not pertain to anyone using the scissors. The scissors puts your head out in front of your chest so a ball can sneak right up the "pipe" (windpipe that is).

I've seen partners, in a heel/toe stance, take a foul that went off the bat, to the ground and then up under their mask and to the throat, on more than one occasion.

[etn_ump]

Garth,

The guy pictured obviously has no EXPERIENCE (according to Tim).

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by etn_ump

Garth,

The guy pictured obviously has no EXPERIENCE (according to

Tim).

He's not wearing a HSM. That's what I was talking about.


Tim.

[BigUmp56]

You're right. No statistical analysis to support it. Only common sense would suggest that the extended length on a HSM provides more than adequate protection for the throat area.


Tim.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by etn_ump

Garth,

The guy pictured obviously has no EXPERIENCE (according to Tim).

I believe Jason would take exception to that.

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by GarthB

I've seen partners, in a heel/toe stance, take a foul that went off the bat, to the ground and then up under their mask and to the throat, on more than one occasion.

Let's check out the stance of this D-1 umpire. It is clear that there is room for a baseball to get under his mask and either into his throat or chin.

Garth, this guy is so out of whack that even the best throat guard won't help him! This is almost what I looked like when I did LL eons ago. Yeah, I took a foul ball to the throat way back then but that is when I corrected my stance.

When I settle in the GDS, my back is pretty straight (thanks to missing parts). My mask is very close to the bump-out on my WVP so there is no room for a ball to get in there.

I also never used a throat guard when I used the scissors. I just didn't like them - period. Now, when my son started umpiring, I made him wear a throat guard.

I am in the same school as many others, if you want to wear a throat guard - wear one! You are just not going to convince me to wear something that I do not like.

[LLPA13UmpDan]

I honestly dont like them, but ive learned to live with it. 99% of umpires in our org. where one, as taught by our instructor.

[SAump]

Consider the requirements for NHL goalies. Do goalies in the NHL and below wear a clear throat guard attached to their HSM? Yes, because they recognize that the helmet alone does not properly protect their throat.

The first question I would ask after sustaining an injury, "Was I properly equipped?" Well, if you feel reasonably secure and ignorantly believe that you no longer need a throat guard, get rid of it and good luck.

Best wishes,

[Rich]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

Garth, this guy is so out of whack that even the best throat guard won't help him! This is almost what I looked like when I did LL eons ago. Yeah, I took a foul ball to the throat way back then but that is when I corrected my stance.

When I settle in the GDS, my back is pretty straight (thanks to missing parts). My mask is very close to the bump-out on my WVP so there is no room for a ball to get in there.

I also never used a throat guard when I used the scissors. I just didn't like them - period. Now, when my son started umpiring, I made him wear a throat guard.

I am in the same school as many others, if you want to wear a throat guard - wear one! You are just not going to convince me to wear something that I do not like.

This is a Division I college umpire. Apparently his stance works for him. Who are you to criticize it?

[nickrego]

Originally Posted by Tim C

Let's step back and take a breath . . .

Nick has been consistent in both his support of the HSM and the dangler.

I have worked very hard to not get my panties in a twitter when Nick takes a weird turn in his positioning.

When someone (not Nick BTW) says "my throat guard gets hit SEVERAL times a season" . . . I just call "bull" . . . Even before I worked the GDSS I seldom, if ever, got hit in the throat guard. I can't be that much different than others.

While I think it is ridiculous that people would where a dangler with an HSM it is not any of my business it they do.

Again, I am guessing here:

For an umpire to get hit in the throat(guard) the ball would have to bounce off the ground FIRST then come up under the mask . . .

If this is true then by working the GDSS, which puts me faaaar back, it is nearly impossible for a ball to get under my WestVest Mask . . .

So my only comment about this thread is:

People should be allowed to wear what they want, in terms of equipment, if it makes them more secure and therefore a better umpire.

He11, I even hear some old guys wear forearm guards.

Regards,

I will say, that since I started using the GD, I get hit in the Throat Guard a lot less.

And I will also say, that until I started using the GD, I was considering wearing Forearm Guards. But in the GD, I get hit a lot less in the Forearms. But I still think they are a legitimate piece of equipment. Our Forearms are at great risk, and a very sensitive place to get hit. I know umpires who quit umpiring after taking a severe hit to the Forearm. And these guys aren't sissy's either.

You know, we are armatures, not professionals. We need to protect ourselves as best we can, so we can continue to support our families by our regular jobs. Getting injured during a $50 baseball game, that keeps us from working is not desirable, in any case.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

Garth, this guy is so out of whack that even the best throat guard won't help him! This is almost what I looked like when I did LL eons ago. Yeah, I took a foul ball to the throat way back then but that is when I corrected my stance.

Let's see....D-1 official....2003 and 2004 Community College World Series....professionally trained...

Yeah.....he don't know squat.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by GarthB

Let's see....D-1 official....2003 and 2004 Community College World Series....professionally trained...

Yeah.....he don't know squat.

He may know squat, but it appears he doesn't know how to squat!

I have to go with Ozzy here. This guy looks horrible. Whoever told umpires that touching the catcher was a good thing? Remember, we are only discussing his stance here, not his training or experience.