Umpire knee protection?

[voiceoflg]

I was at the Biscuits-Barons AA game in Montgomery Saturday night. It looked like the catcher got crossed up and PU took a pitch to the knee. After a delay the PU got back to work but a couple innings later he was done. The 3BU went behind the plate and the rest of the game was done with two umpires.

My question is what protection do umpires wear for the knees and legs? Obviously no matter what you wear, sometimes the ball just finds skin and bone.

Thanks.

[cbfoulds]

Originally Posted by voiceoflg

I was at the Biscuits-Barons AA game in Montgomery Saturday night. It looked like the catcher got crossed up and PU took a pitch to the knee. After a delay the PU got back to work but a couple innings later he was done. The 3BU went behind the plate and the rest of the game was done with two umpires.

My question is what protection do umpires wear for the knees and legs? Obviously no matter what you wear, sometimes the ball just finds skin and bone.

Thanks.

Well... shinguards? Obviously, however, there are differnt levels of protection.

I currently wear Wilson "triple knee" shinnies, and it is difficult for me to imagine getting hit in a way that would take me out, now. In my younger, cheaper days, however, I wore a shin guard with, basically, NO protection against a ball coming in a down trajectory over the top of my shins to the top of my knee.

Naturally, I eventually took a foul ball in exactly that place [the scissors stance I used at that time didn't help]. Good thing it happened bottom of the last inning, 'cause 20 min later I couldn't bend the knee, which was well on it's way to doubling it's size. No permanent damage, but I was on crutches for a week.

[Kevin Finnerty]

I have the Golds, too. It's difficult to imagine a guy at the pro level wearing something inadequate that would result in a knee injury. Good double-knees are enough and like CB says, triple-knees are more than enough. And they are also affordable--more affordable than a premier mask or chest protector.

I guess the guys who think smaller and lighter (and cheaper) is better in a shin guard occasionally have to leave a game on wheels.

[jdmara]

I'm with the other two gentleman. I have the triples and I have been hit directly a few times this summer. One time I really thought I was going to be bruised and battered after a foul ball hit me directly on the knee but I didn't have anything, not even a stiff joint. I couldn't imagine a major injury involving a triple unless it's a freak incident.

-Josh

[kylejt]

If your shin guards are not facing forwards, due to an odd stance, you can get clipped wearing quad knee shin guards. I'd be willing to bet it was a side shot.

[jicecone]

By far the BEST protection I have worn doing the dish is my referee Ice hockey shin guards.

Flexible, confortable and the only exposed part of your knee is about two inches of the rear.

Some may say, "Hockey pads?" Well, who ever thought the "Goalie mask" would be used behind the plate. Hmm.

Great Protection.