Plate Shoes

[BEAREF]

Originally Posted by blindofficial

How many times has it happened where you actually got hit on the foot working behind the plate with the plate shoes on? I hear everyone recommending plate shoes (and I'm getting them), but on average, how many times do you get hit in the foot where your plate shoes protect you? Just curious is all......

1st year ump here....Go easy on me.

Easy answer for me...zero, nil, nada, zip in 15 years of umpiring.

[german ump]

I've been an umpire for 17 years. The first few years I wore black sneakers and got away with it. One day a game was cancelled due to lack of players, I I agreed to stay on to do a scrimmage (I don't do that any more) and took a pitch on my big toe. It hurt like h..l and it took six months to grow my nail back but I bought a pair of plate shoes that day.
Plate shoes, a cup, a good mask and substantial equipment are worth the investment. It takes only one good injury to put you out of commission