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.