Gary Cederstrom - Padres vs. Cardinals
 

I couldnt believe this...what is that around his neck? Looks like a dog collar.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/photo?sl...ali115&prov=ap

hes wearing a hockey mask, so it only makes sense to wear the hockey throat protector extension.

hockey side note: i just found out the other day that hockey playoffs are still going on. who knew?

I did.... :eek:

That is a first time seeing that for me. It's probably in reaction to the incident earlier this year with the umpire taking a pitch off the neck :(

-Josh

Seeing the ump get knocked out earlier this season has really gotten me to thinking about looking into a hockey style. Also i took my first in the throat below my mask this year, probably more of a motivator.

My question is would the hockey style offer more protection on the lower jaw, side of throat area and would the extended throat protector be needed?

I wonder if any of the powers that be have, in a weak moment, contemplated what umpiring would\'ve been like had the balloon protector won.

EDITED to add: I know it wouldn\'t eliminate all the head injuries, but the gap between the bottom of the mask and the top of the chest protector would be eliminated. Also, there\'s no reason a balloon umpire would have to work over top the catcher, as in the old AL days. An umpire could just as easily be in the slot with the protector using a wide stance to get the same height.

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

The groundhog saw his shadow, so six more weeks of hockey !

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

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.

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.

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 too have thought about going with the hockey style mask. It seems like once or twice a year, for some reason, I\'ll turn my head ever so slightly at a pitch that is fouled back near my head. I know it\'s a bad habit and it rarely happens, but it only takes one accident for a serious injury to occur.

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.