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Believe it or not, there are still two umpires that I know of who work high school ball with a balloon in my area (they don't work varsity games). One is an older guy who must be at least 75 years old. I coached a freshman team last year and he worked at least three of my games; the guy needs to retire. He's a really nice man, but the game just moves too fast for him. The other guy is a complete geek who refs three sports, has done them all for probably 15 years, and never gets a varsity game in any of them. It wouldn't matter to me if either one of them could call a decent game, but they are both far below average as umpires. I guess other umpires have told the younger guy that he would help his image by going with an inside protector but he refuses.
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Once summer ball comes around, I bet another 10% go to the raft to beat the heat. I started with one, but switched in my second year and never looked back. |
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You can not dispute the fact that the "Raft", "Balloon", "Mattress", "Barge" protector or whatever else we can name it, reduces bodily exposure, provides more protection. I assume we all have real jobs to go to after we umpire the next day, so I have been contemplating, after reading these posts, that for the sake of safety and protection, self-preservation, that the "Balloon" protector, outside protector, may be the way to go for Rec and youth baseball. We are for the most part, amateurs, or as one fellow ump stated, "it's a hobby", and is it worth the risk of injury, broken bones,bruised muscles - potential dr bills etc, to "get in a better postion", " or look more professional, for the sake of spending more money on inside protectors and sweat like all get out.
Inside Protectors for HS, College, higher level ball, may very well be the best way. I enjoy the game very much and enjoy the competitive youth environment, I enjoy bringing my best game to each level of competition, and looking sharp and presenting a professional appearance and knowing, understanding and applying the Rules of baseball to the best of my ability. I do not have aspirations of doing higher level games, so I may very well seriously consider using the "Raft" again, as I did in 1966, in my first LL game. For my own safety and protection. I just will have to face a little music from my fellow umps. I may then have to post my new Wilson Plat. on Ebay. ![]() |
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Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there. - Will Rogers |
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But I would need a plate coat. Any generous souls out there? ![]() |
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