Exposed Chest Protector

[ozzy6900]

I do not use pullovers (talk about tacky) when doing the plate. If I need another layer or it's an important game or an evening game, I wear a plate coat. I would not dream of putting anything over the chest protector for any reason or any bozo coach. The exposed chest protector is the only way to go in my opinion. Most of you out there are too cheap to spend the bucks for the coat (roughly $250) so I don't know what you all are complaining about. I can count on one hand, the amount of people who bother to buy plate coats in my association. But you know what, I get plenty of ooohhs & ahhhhs and plenty of stares when I come onto the field wearing my plate coat. Hell, I remember when we used to wear jackets with Elbeco's on the bases! I'll bet very few of you out there would ever do that!

[kylejt]

I've got a plate, a base coat, and enough Elbecos for a four man crew. Top that, OZ! But you're right, walk in the field with "the coat", and you rule the roost. Chicks dig the coat.

Wearing a shirt over the chest protector, but under the plate coat is good looking, and great feeling. A black mock turtle, two sizes over, works pretty well. You know that feeling the first time you wore tights under your shin guards? Pretty close to that. Not that I take my cues from the guys on TV, but several MLB guys do this.

What's with the guys wearing long sleeved shirts, and pulling up the sleeves? Make up your mind already!

Wearing your throat protector in front of the frame makes no sense at all. Several guys on TV to this. Odd.

Hey, at least we probably don't have to look at baby blue shirts on TV until next year.

[NuBlue]

Originally Posted by kylejt

I've got a plate, a base coat, and enough Elbecos for a four man crew. Top that, OZ! But you're right, walk in the field with "the coat", and you rule the roost. Chicks dig the coat.

Wearing a shirt over the chest protector, but under the plate coat is good looking, and great feeling. A black mock turtle, two sizes over, works pretty well. You know that feeling the first time you wore tights under your shin guards? Pretty close to that. Not that I take my cues from the guys on TV, but several MLB guys do this.

What's with the guys wearing long sleeved shirts, and pulling up the sleeves? Make up your mind already!

Wearing your throat protector in front of the frame makes no sense at all. Several guys on TV to this. Odd.

Hey, at least we probably don't have to look at baby blue shirts on TV until next year.

Gerry Davis wears his Throat protector on the outside of the frame... don't understand the logic of his placement though...any thoughts?

[jicecone]

I doth believe that most media, fans and players alike, missed how smartly dressed Hunter Wendelstedt was in the Minnesota game.

Did anyone notice he had two different color socks on.?

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by jicecone

I doth believe that most media, fans and players alike, missed how smartly dressed Hunter Wendelstedt was in the Minnesota game.

So true, yet funny. I did have a non-umpire friend ask me about the crappy looking chest protector he was wearing. But most folks don't care about umpires, until they kick a call. And that's probably the way it should be.

[youngblue3]

Originally Posted by NuBlue

Gerry Davis wears his Throat protector on the outside of the frame... don't understand the logic of his placement though...any thoughts?

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

[RadioBlue]

Originally Posted by NuBlue

Gerry Davis wears his Throat protector on the outside of the frame... don't understand the logic of his placement though...any thoughts?

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.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by RadioBlue

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.

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.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by RadioBlue

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.

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

[kylejt]

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.

[midmoump]

YouTube - TOC-Padres-Dodgers.mov

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

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

I get plenty of ooohhs & ahhhhs and plenty of stares when I come onto the field wearing my plate coat.

I can believe the plenty of stares part, but the plenty of ooohhs & ahhhhs part, I don't think so. Nobody comes to a ballgame to see if the umpire is quite the fashion plate.

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

I can believe the plenty of stares part, but the plenty of ooohhs & ahhhhs part, I don't think so. Nobody comes to a ballgame to see if the umpire is quite the fashion plate.

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



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)

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

I can believe the plenty of stares part, but the plenty of ooohhs & ahhhhs part, I don't think so. Nobody comes to a ballgame to see if the umpire is quite the fashion plate.

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.

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

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.