Used the balloon today
 

I wanted to try out an outside protector in my game tonight. As it was, it worked out very well. My partner, who is my regular, said I was "comfortable" back there.

That reminds me of an old Myron Cohen story.

An older man from New York is crossing the street when he is hit by a car.

A crowd gathers and a man makes his way through to the victim. To his amazement the old man is conscious but still lying on the street.

"I'm a doctor," the man says, "Are you comfortable?"

The old man looks up and says, "Oh, I make a living."

:D :cool: :D :cool:

Or
 

Emperors New Clothes....:D

Has anyone been hearing grumblings??
 

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.

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.

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.

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

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?

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

My bullet proof what? Vest? Barrier Vest, but it is reall old. The newer ones are much lighter.