Protection

[DG]

No cup on bases. I was middle infielder when I played and I can move away from them now almost as easily as I could move in front of them then. Never been hit (knock, knock, knock). When I get hit on bases I will hang it up.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by DG

No cup on bases. I was middle infielder when I played and I can move away from them now almost as easily as I could move in front of them then. Never been hit (knock, knock, knock). When I get hit on bases I will hang it up.

Do you think that only the slow and feeble get hit? Weird things happen.

[Kevin Finnerty]

I thought of another: I didn't see it happen, but I got the story from many brothers, and the guy himself: The single most athletic and youthful and skillful umpire in our local JUCO and H.S. associations got drilled in the thigh by a ball that glanced off the pitcher's foot. He had a bruise the size of a football. A few inches up and he loses or bruises a jewel. He's an ex-D-I and professional player and was extremely proud of his mobility and skills---until he got drilled by a ricochet. He also never wore a cup on the bases---until he got drilled by a ricochet.

I just can't imagine a single benefit to going without one on the bases. A barely discernible degree of added comfort is worth risking one of the most painful injuries one can suffer on a diamond?? ... I simply don't relate to that level of totally needless risk-taking.

[tcarilli]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

I just can't imagine a single benefit to going without one on the bases. A barely discernible degree of added comfort is worth risking one of the most painful injuries one can suffer on a diamond?? ... I simply don't relate to that level of totally needless risk-taking.

Others, however, do relate. It really simply is a risk-reward calculation. So some have made a choice based on their assessment of the risk (probability of occurrence) relative to the discomfort or whatever. We all make these choices every day in every aspect of our lives. Should I drive 60 instead of 55? The risk of death is higher at 60 than 45. Hell at 5 mph, its probably damn near impossible to die in a car wreck...

Everyone has his own subjective taste and preferences for things like risk. So it might also be more than "a sign of both stupidity and misplaced pride to go without a cup on the bases. " In fact, it likely is something else.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by tcarilli

Hell at 5 mph, its probably damn near impossible to die in a car wreck...

Unless, of course, the other car is doing 70.

[Forest Ump]

Welllll as long as we are getting close up and personal. I started wearing compression pants this year with the cup holder sewn in. Couldn’t stand the feel of it. Seemed like I was always adjusting, if you know what I mean. Went back to the strap. Much better because it floats and yes I do wear one on the bases. I'll bet you my next game fee that Beltre does too.

[Ump153]

Originally Posted by Forest Ump

Welllll as long as we are getting close up and personal. I started wearing compression pants this year with the cup holder sewn in. Couldn’t stand the feel of it. Seemed like I was always adjusting, if you know what I mean. Went back to the strap. Much better because it floats and yes I do wear one on the bases. I'll bet you my next game fee that Beltre does too.

I guess I have different idea of what constitutes "floating".

I used to wear a compression short in which only the top of the cupholder was sewn, or attached. It floated, meaning it moved around considerably, especially behind the plate.

I now wear compression shorts in which the cup holder is sewn on all sides and stays firmly in place. I wear this both behind the plate and on the bases.

Regarding "risk/rewad"...anyone making the decision not to wear a cup on this basis, IMO, does not fulliy comprehend the risk. Losing a testical is a real and PAINFUL risk.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Forest Ump

Welllll as long as we are getting close up and personal. I started wearing compression pants this year with the cup holder sewn in. Couldn’t stand the feel of it. Seemed like I was always adjusting, if you know what I mean. Went back to the strap. Much better because it floats and yes I do wear one on the bases. I'll bet you my next game fee that Beltre does too.

Try the Shock Doctor compression shorts. The cup stays where it belongs and floats along with your movements.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by tcarilli

Others, however, do relate. It really simply is a risk-reward calculation. So some have made a choice based on their assessment of the risk (probability of occurrence) relative to the discomfort or whatever. We all make these choices every day in every aspect of our lives. Should I drive 60 instead of 55? The risk of death is higher at 60 than 45. Hell at 5 mph, its probably damn near impossible to die in a car wreck...

Everyone has his own subjective taste and preferences for things like risk. So it might also be more than "a sign of both stupidity and misplaced pride to go without a cup on the bases. " In fact, it likely is something else.

The risk is worth the reward. And the reward is ... ??

Equating it to doing something necessary like driving is specious as hell, but it was entertaining to read. Risk-reward calculation ... that's some funny stuff.

[LDUB]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

The risk is worth the reward. And the reward is ... ??

Equating it to doing something necessary like driving is specious as hell, but it was entertaining to read. Risk-reward calculation ... that's some funny stuff.

He said the reward was not having to put up with the "discomfort or whatever".

The driving thing makes sense. If you drive faster you get there quicker but it is more dangerous. Some people wear smaller chest protectors which don't protect as well. They understand that the protection isn't as great as a West Vest model but they prefer one which is cooler and lighter. They don't think the extra protection is worth having to deal with the heavier and hotter chest protector.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Of course it makes sense ... to you.

There is virtually nothing that can happen to us on a baseball field that is more painful than a jewel shot. A dull thud to the chest and the resultant soreness to the general chest area due to an inadequate soft shell is not even in the same area code as a jewel shot.