Gary Cederstrom - Padres vs. Cardinals

[LMan]

I think base coaches should be required to wear the raft. Its a safety issue.

[briancurtin]

Originally Posted by LMan

I think base coaches should be required to wear the raft. Its a safety issue.

we should just put a fully enclosed fence around the coaches boxes. safety first

[charliej47]

In the 46 years of umpiring, I have used the "current" style of equipment. I have been hit numerous times and it does not matter what type of gear you use. I currently wear the helmet style mask. I think it gives better support, but it will not stop injuries. I have lost teeth using the older style mask. So far I have not been as seriously hurt.

[zebra2955]

I switched to the hockey style a few years back. I would never go back to a regular mask. It is longer on the throat. Better vision, and any hit just glances off.

[briancurtin]

Originally Posted by zebra2955

I switched to the hockey style a few years back. I would never go back to a regular mask. It is longer on the throat. Better vision, and any hit just glances off.

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

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by briancurtin

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

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.

[UMP25]

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.

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.

[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.