HSM throat guard

[LLPA13UmpDan]

Today we held a clinic at the high school, and we had done plate work. Afterwards, I had two umpires make the following comment about my HSM.

"If we have the kids wear throat protectors, we should wear them too."

Funny, the person who said that wears a throat guard on his HSM, and another person who didn't comment on that was wearing an HSM with a throat guard as well.

I can see the need on a standard mask (I use a standard with a throat guard as I have both types), but on an HSM it is uncessary and looks horrible. In addition, I cannot even wear one without it being annoying to me.

What do you think about wearing one with an HSM? I vote no.

Of all umpires there, only 2 made this comment, as well as another who thinks it is a "rule" we have to wear them.

On a positive note: I was told my timing behind the plate was very good as well as my mechanics. We would have gone and done more feild work, but the fields were muddy.

[ctblu40]

Originally Posted by LLPA13UmpDan

Today we held a clinic at the high school, and we had done plate work. Afterwards, I had two umpires make the following comment about my HSM.

"If we have the kids wear throat protectors, we should wear them too."

Funny, the person who said that wears a throat guard on his HSM, and another person who didn't comment on that was wearing an HSM with a throat guard as well.

I can see the need on a standard mask (I use a standard with a throat guard as I have both types), but on an HSM it is uncessary and looks horrible. In addition, I cannot even wear one without it being annoying to me.

What do you think about wearing one with an HSM? I vote no.

Of all umpires there, only 2 made this comment, as well as another who thinks it is a "rule" we have to wear them.

On a positive note: I was told my timing behind the plate was very good as well as my mechanics. We would have gone and done more feild work, but the fields were muddy.

I think you've answered your own question, if you don't like it, don't wear it. For the record, I wore one my first year of umpiring because I thought it looked cool. I found it to be annoying so I stopped. I haven't worn one since.

As far as "required" equiptment, I have not been involved with LL in quite a few years, but had never heard of a throat guard required for the umpire.

As far as the guys who say, "If we have the kids wear throat protectors, we should wear them too," do they wear chest protectors with the flap in front or batting helmets? If they require the kids to wear them...
That's an excuse for them attaching a throat guard to an HSM IMO.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

I do not wish to sound stupid, but what is a HSM?

MTD, Sr.

[MadCityRef]

Hockey style mask, I'd guess.
The point of an HSM is that you wouldn't need a guard.

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by MadCityRef

Hockey style mask, I'd guess.
The point of an HSM is that you wouldn't need a guard.

What?

I'd guess you'd have to tell all the hockey goalies to remove their throat protectors then.

[U of M Sam]

Within Little League, catchers are required to wear a "dangling" throat protector on all mask types and at all levels of ball.
I have not read anywhere within LL text that a PU should (or must) wear a throat protector on their mask.
I wear a standard mask which has the "extended" throat protector (part of the mask) without an "additional" throat protector.
To each their own.

BTW: "LLPA13UmpDan" where did you "hear" that AK might push to have the additional throat protectors mandatory for LL umpires?

Sam

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

I do not wish to sound stupid, but what is a HSM?

MTD, Sr.

Similar to a dunce cap.

[LLPA13UmpDan]

Also I "hear" AK may push the issue to have it made mandatory as part of the umpires equipment.

Would I be correct in saying that you should NOT get hit in the throat if you have proper stance? (exception to this would be the scissors)