The Shield

[BlueTick48]

Do any of you on here use the "balloon" or "shield" in the summer? I use mine and get alot of,"i haven't seen one of those in years",comments.In MS its a heck of alot cooler than a cp....jw

[mick]

Originally Posted by BlueTick48

Do any of you on here use the "balloon" or "shield" in the summer? I use mine and get alot of,"i haven't seen one of those in years",comments.In MS its a heck of alot cooler than a cp....jw

BlueTick48,
You may wanna rethink how cool they are.

[umpduck11]

You have a Japanese Mizuno mask, and you use a raft ??

[TussAgee11]

There is a reason these people haven't seen those in years. Take a hint...

[IceGator8]

While I think they look weird they were the gold standard for many years. I had a partner (He was from another part of the state and I'd never worked with him before) show up with one a couple of years ago. After I got done rolling my eyes and the game started I realised that he was actually a very good ump.

I learned a lesson that day. I've met a lot of crappy umps who wear a regular cp but the only guy I've worked with who had a life raft was excellent. I'm not judging the book by the cover any more.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by mick

BlueTick48,
You may wanna rethink how cool they are.

Hey Mick,

there's cool:


and then there's cool:


You two aren't on the same page.

[CO ump]

One base coach gets hit and now MLB requires helmets and most other leagues are either requiring or considering requiring helmets for adult coaches, defying 100 + years of tradition.

If one umpire takes a 95 + fastball direct to the chest and dies of a heart attack could the "cool" factor and the 30 some odd years of CP tradition be ignored and a revival to safer times be reinstated?

PS
I've never owned or used a balloon, but recognize that they are much safer and probably not near as hot.

After taking an 85mph FB just to the side and below the belly button and a 70 something one in the thigh last week, it wouldn't take much to get me to use one.
But as Billy Crystal used to say on SNL
"It's better to look good than to feel good"
Insert your own accent.

[BretMan]

And didn't Billy also say..."I hate when that happens..."?

[BlueTick48]

I was just interested to see who on here,if any,use them in the summer.I know a few hs,juco,D1-2 umps use them here in MS.I have a Wilson Plat. i use during the hs-college season.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by CO ump

One base coach gets hit and now MLB requires helmets and most other leagues are either requiring or considering requiring helmets for adult coaches, defying 100 + years of tradition.

No, several base coaches got hit. The motivator was "one base coach gets killed."

If one umpire takes a 95 + fastball direct to the chest and dies of a heart attack could the "cool" factor and the 30 some odd years of CP tradition be ignored and a revival to safer times be reinstated?

I have never seen data indicating the raft was protected the heart better than a hard shell inside protector. I don't see any danger of the raft returning.

However, if the insurance companies and the HSH people can prove that concussions can be prevented by wearing Hockey style helmets, you may see those mandated over time.

[Klokard]

I went back to using one in the 12 y/o and under divisions. The new this year Little League rule that prohibits a player from going from pitcher to catcher, as well as the terrible pitch count rule has really increased the amount of balls that get by the catcher. It may not look cool but the protection is superior.

[LMan]

Maybe so, but you gotta draw the line somewhere.

The optimum safe move is to call from behind the mound. Why not do that?

[CO ump]

Originally Posted by LMan

Maybe so, but you gotta draw the line somewhere.

The optimum safe move is to call from behind the mound. Why not do that?

Unless you're in full gear behind the mound I would disagree.
With the balloon I'd say behind the catcher is the safest.