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.

Your chest protector (like I said, i'm certifiable :D)

I didn't say they weren't exposed, I said they were protected.

I place my hands on the side of my thighs and tuck my elbows in toward my body, this places the primarily the under side of my forearms and upper arms, the fleshy part, facing forward. It also places the inner part of my elbow forward. Bony structures are not at risk to hits.

I never said I never got hit. I said the what really needs protection is protected.

Obviously there are certain trade offs. I mean, hell, if you want total protection wear a suit of armor or stay home.

I am as protected as I need to be and I have mobility and flexibility to properly perform my mechanics and make calls at home, third, where ever I need to make them.

I own a West Vest Gold and the original Douglas West Vest. I will be purchasing the All American Pro and hopefully, the Carlucci this off season.

Sounds about the same as I do. I thought maybe you knew some secret that had escaped me.

hijack......
 

Any of you use the McDavid cushioned undershorts? The one with the octagonal cushioning system? Hexpad I think they call it.

Thinking about buying one or two. Thigh bruising hurts too.:mad:

Why would they call it "hexpad" if it's octagonal? :confused: :confused:

I have them. It is hard to judge the level of protection. It is still painful, but I have not been bruised while wearing them, but I do not know if it is the pads or I just have not had a direct hit.

The downside is the heat. They are very hot.

iunno
 

Thank you for that..............:rolleyes:

if you dont' care for it--quit.

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

Volleyball?! Are you crazy, man? Do you know how high that platform is?

~sigh~
 

"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."

Your source is wrong.

There have been no conversations at any level to change back.

After reading this outlandish statement I left voice mails for 6 MLB umpires and 2 Collegiate Commissioners.

The best voice mail that I got back (#5) said:

"Tee, where do you get this crap? -- there is no such conversation in process."

Regards,

I concurr

I left messages for 1 MLB commissioner and 5 MLB owners.
The 2 best ones I got back said:
"Who the he!! are you?" and
"Don't call here again"

I figure that means there's no such conversations taking place.

Now I know I know you.

~Snicker~
 

"I left messages for 1 MLB commissioner and 5 MLB owners.
The 2 best ones I got back said:
"Who the he!! are you?" and
"Don't call here again""

Does anyone know if there is a limit to the number of "Ignore" slots?

Regards,

I dunno. So far I have three trolls, which actually accounts for two people, a King Rat, an amazingly incredibly clueless educator, a wannabee and a prevaricator; and there are still open slots.

Which reminds me...anyone else notice how quiet the forum has been lately? The freguency of "this poster is on your ignore list" notices is way down.


(edited to fix a mentally lazy brain fart of a spelling error)

Geeez, can't anyone take a joke?

I'm sure you meant "prevaricator"
But since I'm undoubtedly one of the 6, you'll miss my wannabe attempt at clueless educating.

No, Don. You're still amusing.