Annual throat guard topic

[SAump]

One day before April 1, 2008, MLB ESPN2, Angels vs Twins.
Noticed Angels catcher Napoli was wearing a long 6 inch throat guard. The red throat guard appeared fixed to the front of the mask frame, and not dangling loosely from the frame. I wear a similar 6 in long throat guard in a similar manner. There is no question that this throat guard is worn in this manner as an additional safety precaution. The MLB umpire and Twins catcher Mauer were not wearing one. I'm not including the one extending down from the frame of his mask an inch or 2 as an additional safety precaution. After all, if the base coaches are fined for not wearing batting helmets, should all MLB catchers and umpires have to wear throat guards?

[Welpe]

No.

[Rich]

No.

[UmpTTS43]

I have only been hit in the throat area twice, which was a result of foul balls coming up underneath my mask. In both cases, I dont believe that the protector would have prevented this. To this day I do not wear one. I find them cumbersome.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by SAump

After all, if the base coaches are fined for not wearing batting helmets, should all MLB catchers and umpires have to wear throat guards?

Why?

[SAump]

Originally Posted by GarthB

Why?

Testimony before Congress?
Perhaps our society has been "anesthetize" by violent cartoons such as the Bugs Bunny Show?

I thought there was video of a MLB catcher hit in the throat, immediately collapsing to the ground, and grasping for air.
Sometimes, I feel the person realizes just how bad things are when onlookers only have a weak clue?

2007 JV game, I had a pitched ball glance off the batter {HBP} and strike my chest protector, then rebound into my mask with such force that the ball knocked the mask aside and struck me in the chin. Didn't take seconds to think about how much that would have hurt had my chin been up.
2007 TX HS playoff game, catcher wearing HSM {w/or w/out dangling throat guard, I can't remember now}. Pitch in the dirt, catcher's attempt to block the pitch is successful. Game is delayed 5-10 minutes while catcher regains his composure after being struck in the throat while medical attendant stands by to help.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by SAump

Testimony before Congress?
Perhaps our society has been "anesthetize" by violent cartoons such as the Bugs Bunny Show?

I thought there was video of a MLB catcher hit in the throat, immediately collapsing to the ground, and grasping for air.
Sometimes, I feel the person realizes just how bad things are when onlookers only have a weak clue?

2007 JV game, I had a pitched ball glance off the batter {HBP} and strike my chest protector, then rebound into my mask with such force that the ball knocked the mask aside and struck me in the chin. Didn't take seconds to think about how much that would have hurt had my chin been up.
2007 TX HS playoff game, catcher wearing HSM {w/or w/out dangling throat guard, I can't remember now}. Pitch in the dirt, catcher's attemp to block the pitch is successful. Game is delayed 5-10 minutes while catcher regains his composure after being struck in the throat while medical attendant stands by to help.

I grant you that getting hit in the throat is no picnic. I got a call to fill in on a game once on my way home from school. I hadn't planned on working and though I had my unis in the car, I didn't have my gear. I worked the plate with borrowed gear that inculded a mask without an extended throat guard.

I took a foul to the Adam's Apple and went down. I got up, and finished the game occasionally spitting blood.

I went to the ER on my way home and was admitted. Short version...no permanent damage but one of the worst and longest lasting sore throats I've ever had.

My question of "why?" was directed at the link you made between coaches and what they do and umpires and what they do. I don't think you have A = B there.

[SAump]

Originally Posted by UmpTTS43

I have only been hit in the throat area twice, which was a result of foul balls coming up underneath my mask. In both cases, I dont believe that the protector would have prevented this. To this day I do not wear one. I find them cumbersome.

Year 1, I took a shot directly between the chestbone and the neckbone that left bruising and pain to the touch below. Didn't take long to realize I needed a better chest protection. Same year, an umpire busted his "cup" and another his collar bone. Same year, SB ump in wide stance took several shots to the cup over the course of several 13-15 yo. games after I was worked the plate earlier w/11-12 yo. Convinced me to keep my legs together and allow the shin guards to do what the shin guards should do.

Same year I took several foul balls off the extended throat guard. I felt it act as a lever. The top of my mask would fly forward as the throat guard bounced innocently off the chest protector. Then the padding at the top of the mask would slam harmlessly back into my forehead. Didn't take long to convince self that this event was much more preferable than the one below. I have taken several bad shots off the west vest gold. I felt them scare the hell out of me. This was usually followed by the batter or catcher asking me if I ws okay. It left me smiling from the "rush" in the brain which was also asking self, Are you okay? Are you really okay?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by SAump

should all MLB catchers and umpires have to wear throat guards?

Should they wear them? Yes.

Should they be required to wear them? No.

Will they be required to wear them? Probably.

[Klokard]

Doing the dish will always pose some possibility of injury. Short of looking like a Michelin man I don't think it's possible to be entirely protected. I have invested well in my gear and use proper mechanics to avoid injury. However, I still get bumps and bruises along the way. I have been doing this since '78 and have yet to take a bad one off the throat. I choose not to wear the dangling throat guard. Freak accidents will happen. Should the MLB catchers and umpires be required to wear one? Absolutely NOT. There are already enough rules and regs.

[Emperor Ump]

About 2 years ago while wearing a dangling throat guard I took a foul which hit the protector sending it back into my throat which was probably the worst pain I have been in as an umpire. It took me at least 5 min to get back up to the plate. The home teams trainer actually suggested I not continue and go to the ER, I did not. I cannot imagine how bad it would have hurt had I not worn the protector. Probably like Garth's situation if not worse. I definitely recommend using one.

That being said I think they are like motorcycle helmets, seatbelts, etc. It should remain a personal choice which is available to you if you should feel the need, not mandated.

[tcarilli]

Originally Posted by SAump

YConvinced me to keep my legs together and allow the shin guards to do what the shin guards should do.

How does one get in plate stance with his legs together. I have a mental picture of the stance looking a lot like that of a little boy has to pee.

[charliej47]

I have been hit wearinig the protector and been hit without it. everytime i was hit, the protector didnot/would not have protected me. I lost teeth both times.

[UmpJM]

Originally Posted by charliej47

I have been hit wearinig the protector and been hit without it. everytime i was hit, the protector didnot/would not have protected me. I lost teeth both times.

Charlie,

You are supposed to wear it attached to a MASK!

JM

[SAump]

Originally Posted by tcarilli

How does one get in plate stance with his legs together. I have a mental picture of the stance looking a lot like that of a little boy has to pee.

It looks no different from Tiger Woods reading a green. It has tremendous advantages over two other cumbersome positions found in baseball. It provides one with the comfort and balance of the Gerry Davis stance, an enormous amount of protection, a very good look at the strike zone, the ability to find the right place in a "crowded" slot, and the mobility of racing out of the blocks.

How can it help you? First, try the scissors to get a good idea about the proper height of the strike zone. Then bring the back leg underneath to discover the benefits I disclosed above. Of course, it would be easier going straight into it, a "half-kneeling" position. It may look funny to some people at first because those nuts are no longer exposed to any danger. But when they discover how powerful the legs feel after a nights work or how well they recover the next day, it makes it personal. I have to wonder why umps would shy away from it?

The look of the stance may be very revealing. I'll say the same things about that wide squat position {standard #2} which never helped my knees, or leaning over the urinal with my legs spread 3 feet apart {scissors #1} which never helped my lower back/neck. The good news is that you can look into it at home and decide for yourself how it looks compared to those other two I descibe above. If you use it and don't get immediate results, you can always go back to what pleases you, showing your nuts back there.