Used the balloon today

[Rcichon]

Emperors New Clothes....

[Bassman]

Talking to a coach today and he said that there has been talk at the collegiate and professional levels regarding returning to the balloon because umpires are getting sick of being used for target practice.

[TussAgee11]

Well it certainly is safer. The switch to the inside protector happened well before my umpiring years, so I have an additional question to ask on top of Bassman's. Why did the balloon disappear in the first place, despite being safer than an inside protector?

[Bassman]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

Well it certainly is safer. The switch to the inside protector happened well before my umpiring years, so I have an additional question to ask on top of Bassman's. Why did the balloon disappear in the first place, despite being safer than an inside protector?

I think the main selling points of the inside protector are:

1. Mobility and convenience (you don't have an extra piece of equipment to manage [Yeah? Tell that to the old time AL umpires who were experts in managing the balloon]).

2. Uniformity of appearance.

3. Influence of the NL regarding definition of the strike zone.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

Well it certainly is safer. The switch to the inside protector happened well before my umpiring years, so I have an additional question to ask on top of Bassman's. Why did the balloon disappear in the first place, despite being safer than an inside protector?

The correct inside protector protects what needs protecting as well as the balloon, improves mobility, helps improve performance of mechanics, and thus, calls of plays.

[Bassman]

Originally Posted by GarthB

The correct inside protector protects what needs protecting as well as the balloon, improves mobility, helps improve performance of mechanics, and thus, calls of plays.

Garth, only problems are that the forearms, upper thighs, and the collarbone areas are still exposed

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by Bassman

Garth, only problems are that the forearms, upper thighs, and the collarbone areas are still exposed

Again, the correct inside protector protects what needs protecting as well as the balloon, improves mobility, helps improve performance of mechanics, and thus, calls of plays.

My protector protects the collarbone and my stance protects my forerms. My thighs do not need protecting.

[Bassman]

Originally Posted by GarthB

Again, the correct inside protector protects what needs protecting as well as the balloon, improves mobility, helps improve performance of mechanics, and thus, calls of plays.

My protector protects the collarbone and my stance protects my forerms. My thighs do not need protecting.

Good points. However, I got nailed on my left inner thigh this year and left a rather large welt. BTW, who made your bulletproof?

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by GarthB

My protector protects the collarbone and my stance protects my forerms.

Garth, where are your forearms that they're not exposed?

[UmpLarryJohnson]

Originally Posted by Bassman

Garth, only problems are that the forearms, upper thighs, and the collarbone areas are still exposed

if you dont' care for it--quit.

[JRutledge]

All the sports I work there is a possibility to get hurt. I can say I know more football officials that have been leveled than anything I have ever heard on the baseball diamond. Even if you use a balloon protector, you still could get hit by a baseball if you are not behind the plate or get hit with another object.

If you want to avoid getting hurt, be a volleyball ref. Even they could have a ball flying at them.

Peace

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by Bassman

Talking to a coach today and he said that there has been talk at the collegiate and professional levels regarding returning to the balloon because umpires are getting sick of being used for target practice.

Haven't heard a word about this; and if my source was a coach, I wouldn't be paying any attention to it.

[Bassman]

Originally Posted by GarthB

Haven't heard a word about this; and if my source was a coach, I wouldn't be paying any attention to it.

Yeah, It just piqued my interest, though. I just wanted to research it further.