Ya gotta believe us on this. Chicks dig the coat, and it's kinda like wearing a Pope's hat out there.

http://www.bayrose.org/wkneedle/Arti...ages/mitre.jpg

If nicely pressed polywools and shiny shoes buy you two innings, the coat is a 2 for 1 coupon on owning the park. But I fully understand your view, 'cause I didn't believe until I donned the Frock of Kings. But slip one on, and walk on the field, and you'll get it. (a plate coat, not the pontiff's lid)

This way the throat protector doesnt get caught on the chest protector. I was actually thinking about doing this next year.

I had an evaluator once say that when my throat protector was on the inside, it dangled and waved like a wagging tongue. I moved it to the outside several years ago which appeased my evaluator and had the added benefit of not getting caught on my chest protector which would happen from time to time.

The ooohhs & ahhhhs come from the dugouts. Coaches & players seem to like the plate coats and remark about them because they rarely see them any longer. The fans could care less.

The COAT is a rarity here in San Diego, as the climate rarely makes it practical. But when it does make an appearance, it gets noticed by all, fans included. Trust me. I get comments from

"That's awsome!" from players and coaches

to

"Can I touch it?" from the Moms.

One cautionary note: Do not attempt to wear the coat unless you're at LEAST five years into it, and have total command of the field. Again, trust me on this.

I love the guy in the Youtube video with the backwards hat!

t's supposed to dangle and wave. That way if you should happen to tilt your head back it still drops in front of your throat.

Maybe I'm envisioning this wrong, but it seems to me you remove some of the protective qualities by doing that.

You want to close the gap between the bottom of your mask and your chest protector, so a ball won't sneak in. Low, inside pitches that get fouled up at you are your enemy. Or ones that deflect off the catcher. You want to protect your Adam's apple from being crushed (blunt enough?).

Again, just have someone take a picture of you from the side, when you drop into your stance. Then just draw line on that picture on where, and how long a throat protector might help you.

YouTube - TOC-Padres-Dodgers.mov

see throat shot at :45. Just another example of "if you are exposed, the ball WILL find you."

Anyone who umpires a ballgame without a throat protector is nuts.

If the guy in that video got hit the same way with a high-80s/low-90s pitch, he would/could have been killed. That's killed with a "K."

You don't like how it looks? Great reason not to use one.

I wear my plate coat as much as possible...the coaches think you actually can umpire when they see one.

I'm getting a new one next year. The big debate is whether I get a black one or a navy one. I had both at one time, then I lost a bunch of weight (my 50 wouldn't fit my 42 body now) and I sold both of them.

Buy my 40R (fits like a 42R) navy one, and I'll buy a black one. Everybody wins!

Honestly, I'd get a black one if I were you. They go with more.

Must be rookie coaches :D