Gary Cederstrom - Padres vs. Cardinals

[briancurtin]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Well, as my old drill sergeant used to say, "Young Stud," when you have umpired as long as Charlie J has, let us know if you still feel the same way. You may be the best umpire in Naperville, but you are still relatively inexperienced as compared to most of us here, so you really haven't "seen it all" yet.

i dont think you read my post correctly/at all.

[justanotherblue]

And I notice tonight in the Boston/Seattle game he isn't wearing it.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by briancurtin

i dont think you read my post correctly/at all.

Uh, yeah I did/did.

[briancurtin]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Uh, yeah I did/did.

"None of those are issues with any regular style mask I've ever worn."

Where in that small sentence did I say I have umpired for a long duration, pretended that I'm the best umpire in the city, or thought that I've "seen it all"? I'm pretty sure I just said that none of those are issues with any regular style mask I've ever worn.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by UMP25

Well, Steve, I've been doing this for 30 years, and I wear the traditional mask. In fact, I use the New View mask, but the pads are the wraparound ones, which DO make a big difference.

Only days after putting those pads on my mask, I took a direct hit. Pitcher threw a heater directly at my mask. Catcher didn't even touch it and it slammed in to me hard. No pain, nothing. Those pads absorbed the hit.

First, my comment was concerning a fairly young umpire pontificating on all of his "experience," as though what he stated were some kind of empirical evidence of fact. Mostly just getting a rise out of him, as he is one cool customer . I was not taking any side in the debate. I have used both styles of mask, and have found advantages and disadvantages with each.

Second, just out of curiosity, would the mask with the wrap-around pads help if you took one to the dome a la Jerry Crawford? Score one point for the hockey mask.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by briancurtin

"None of those are issues with any regular style mask I've ever worn."

Where in that small sentence did I say I have umpired for a long duration, pretended that I'm the best umpire in the city, or thought that I've "seen it all"? I'm pretty sure I just said that none of those are issues with any regular style mask I've ever worn.

Brian, it's never "what you say" it's "how you say it." Your posts always seem to have a certain tone to them that is readily apparent to most people. I'm basically just giving you a hard time.

[UMP25]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Second, just out of curiosity, would the mask with the wrap-around pads help if you took one to the dome a la Jerry Crawford? Score one point for the hockey mask.

That wouldn't have happened to me for two reasons: (1) I use the Davis system and am not anywhere close as Jerry was, and (2) he turned his head to the point where he rather caused himself to get nailed.

[[email protected]]

No, the hockey mask won't prevent all injuries. I had a ball hit my shoulder and then the back of my jaw. That smarted more than a bit. But it is far more protective then the standard mask. I believe that if the ump in the Dodger's game had been wearing one, he would have had a much better outcome. Last year, I actually had a ball stick onto one the bars (kept it--the ding on the ball is impressive) and I barely even felt the hit. I wholeheartedly endorse using the helmet.

[UMP25]

My buddy in CA. was working a D-1 game a couple weeks ago and took a foul ball to the HSM. The mask shattered right there.

[canadaump6]

Originally Posted by UMP25

My buddy in CA. was working a D-1 game a couple weeks ago and took a foul ball to the HSM. The mask shattered right there.

Time to ditch the goalie mask.

[BigTex]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Second, just out of curiosity, would the mask with the wrap-around pads help if you took one to the dome a la Jerry Crawford? Score one point for the hockey mask.

If you work as close as Jerry does, it is bound to happen. Score one for proper plate positioning.