ML umpire wins $775K in lawsuit

[kylejt]

The only time I wear my All Star helmet is when I'm working under one of those old clam shell type backstops. I've had a foul come straight down, and hit the metal button of my hat, and NEVER want to feel that pain again.

If the helmets didn't cover the ears, I'd guess the concussion rate wouldn't be as high. As they are, the blast goes directly into your ears, and that's a problem, IMO.

[Simply The Best]

Originally Posted by mbyron

The only reason I would (and do) consider switching to a HSM is the protection from the batter's backswing.

Currently, my risk assessment is that concussions pose a greater risk to me, given the games and levels I work. It seems rational to stick with a traditional mask.

I have taken two hits from thrown balls on the side of the helmet, one square on the temple, that saved me from a potentially severe injury.

Both thrown balls were dead ball sitchs coming from F3 and F6 to F2 who wasn't looking. Another reason I never remove the helmet except during changeovers.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by Simply The Best

I have taken two hits from thrown balls on the side of the helmet, one square on the temple, that saved me from a potentially severe injury.

Both thrown balls were dead ball sitchs coming from F3 and F6 to F2 who wasn't looking. Another reason I never remove the helmet except during changeovers.

Sounds like F2 wasn't the only one not looking.

[MikeStrybel]

For transparency sake, I am not a fan of the HSM. I wore a Mizuno for the past few years while in Asia and just bought the Wilson Platinum a month ago. I assume I will be comfortable and safe. I am sure Ed Hickox thought the same thing. As far as I can tell he is the only umpire I have ever seen who wears a hat under it. Does any of you do this? That has to defeat some of the fit of the HSM.

Also, how should our masks be tested? According to Wilson court documents, the model he wore was tested extensively in house. Apparently the simulate destructive forces on the thing to see how well it holds up. That seems reasonable. While I expect to be safe, I still face a risk out there. Ed had already had a concussion in 2009 and this bell ringer was the perfect storm of foul balls. From what I saw in the video the mask did what it was supposed to do.

[Simply The Best]

Originally Posted by Tim C

As we know the study done with MiLB Umpires documented that there were more (and more severe) concussions when wearing a HSM.

Link? Tx.