ML umpire wins $775K in lawsuit
 

MLB Umpire Injured by Foul Ball Awarded $775K in Suit Against Sporting Goods Company - The BLT: The Blog of Legal Times

Could this be the end of Wilson and other manufacturers using ML umpires as equipment guinea pigs?

I am confused by Wilson's argument. I'm sure that they tested the strength of the unit but what they did is akin to a brake company field testing their new pads on a NASCAR track. I know some of you may think that having amateurs do it is just as silly and I agree. There has to be a better way.

At the same time, Hickox accepted the free gear. I didn't read anything further on this piece. Does anyone knows whether MLB umpires receive sponsorship deals for wearing gear?

I'm surprised the reporter didn't call it a foul tip.

In the past, MLB guys just got free stuff, not dollars. Maybe someone up the chain of command got greased, but not the guys actually wearing the gear.

Perhaps in their new contract they finally woke up, and are getting paid to wear NB shoes, etc. Probably not, though, as these aren't the brightest cats around.

I wonder what type of mask he was wearing, that go him clocked more than normal. We all face getting nailed, hurt, consussed, etc, everytime we assume the position. It goes with the territory.

But if he was so bent on suing Wilson, why on Earth did continue to wear their gear? Evidently he got nailed again wearing one of those dopey Shock helmet contraptions, and suffered a nasty concussion and ear damage in '09. Fool me once.....

Note to helmet wearers: The concussion of the noise resonating inside that bucket just can't be good for you. The few times I've been nailed wearing one, my ears have rung for days. That shock wave has to go somewhere.

There has been a switch to amateurs and this lawsuit is a one reason why. I have a recent post about a new helmet/plastic faceguard that I was given after first signing a Non Disclosure and a Waiver of Liability. :p Years ago they received under the table payments and free gear. Then contracts were drawn but kept confidential. Today, I don't know, I haven't asked any of them, it's a touchy subject.:confused:

Havent the foggiest what you are alluding to having worn several helmets (AllStar, Riddell, Wilson, Mizuno, etc) and never have had either "shock waves" or ear problems.:confused:

A proper fit is necessary FYI.

No.

Next question, Thump.:p

I'm just talking about the sound that reverberates inside the helmet. Since your ears are inside, the sound from the ball cracking your forehead goes straight into your ears.

Historically, until the Systems 7 s helmets arrived, the forehead padding on buckets have been minimal. We got those big, thick chin pads, but thin foam nearest our brains.

Scroll down to see the video. This shot messed up Ed's hearing.
Kitsap Umpires Camp - Home

Originally Posted by Simply The Best http://forum.officiating.com/images/...s/viewpost.gif
Havent the foggiest what you are alluding to having worn several helmets (AllStar, Riddell, Wilson, Mizuno, etc) and never have had either "shock waves" or ear problems.:confused:

A proper fit is necessary FYI.
I'm aware of what you are saying.If your helmet is properly fitted, your forehead should not rest against the padding. If you cannot adjust your helmet to have a space (at least a finger width), then choose another helmet.I've never had a hit to the helmet that has cracked it squarely down the middle. I have had facebars bent or split.

He was using the newer Wilson helmet which I hate. It was remanufactured to include space under the facemask for the bill of the cap. I don't wear a cap. I thought it was a stupid redesign then and now. Whether that had anything to do with the helmet failing (which it did when it split), I don't know.

My understanding of your point is that there were reports of helmet hits where the helmet was in tact (no failure) but caused damage by concussive rebound and/or sound waves that damaged the ear. All I can report is that I have never experienced that problem, never have had anyone relay that they have that problem and, for that matter, never have had a helmet failure.

It's still that way.

Perhaps a good time to note that, in regards to concussions, the helemt has not been shown to provide superior protection to the mask. Last figures indicate that ratio of number of concussions to number of helmets is no better than the number of concussions to the number of masks. In MiLB hemets had a higher rate of concussions two years ago.

If you look at the forward contact area of the mask vs the helmet, you'll see how much more effective the mask is in distributing energy over a wider area. Plus, the padding on all my masks are far thicker than on my helmet. It's not even close.

Now granted, a square shot on the Shock helmet's grill may absorb a lot of energy via those bumpers. But that's only on a straight on blow.

The "shock" style helmets have performed no better.

The thickness of the padding is relatively inconsequential to its energy distribution characteristics. The material used, how it contacts the forehead and several other qualities will determine its effectiveness. I am not an physicist-engineer and would suggest that we leave the complicated physics of energy absorption and release to the physicists. See above.;)

Hsm
 

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

The only "funny" part of the article is when the writer refers to the mask "flying off his head" . . . as we know that is what is supposed to happen.

T

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.

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.

Link? Tx.

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.

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.

One thing to check on your masks and helmets is hat fit. If a ball drives your mask toward your face, is the bill of the cap also being driven toward your forehead? Make sure you have enough of a gap/cushion so it doesn't.

Here I thought it was me. I hate the Mizuno but when in Japan...;) In agreement, no cap and when Wilson redesigned their helmet to allow for a cap, it may have been the design flaw that created the failure.

Following on with that line of thinking, I wonder if Wilson tested the helmet when they refitted the facemask. :confused: If they had generated the standard NOCSAE tests, this severe flaw should have reared it ugly "face". :p Since the helmet was basically the same as the previous model, maybe not.
Testing as the docs claim is done "in house" by the manufacturer using NOCSAE standards.

The National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE)

Which I believe is utter (udder?) cow poop. :eek: The helmet manufacturers have been steadfast against adequately funding an independent source for testing.

I can tell you their standards on motorcycle helmets often are not followed when some of those helmets hit the asphalt especially the less expensive ones. I don't know if this is because of faulty testing, manufacturing or what. Same with racing helmets. May be the same with umpire helmets.

Keep in mind, once a helmet has taken a hit, it can be deemed "out of warranty" and the manufacturer can waltz on the liability.

Btw, I was unaware that Hickox had a prior concussion. This changes the medical dynamics of his most recent injury.

This story really got me thinking. My wife says that always leads to no good so there's the disclaimer.

Home-plate umpires find themselves in the line of fire - USATODAY.com

Safeguards sought as umpire injury toll grows - USATODAY.com

After a bit of digging to see if any problems existed with my recently purchased mask, I found the above stories. Yes, they are three years old and I'm sure some of you discussed them back then. My apologies for retreading them but they seem solid. I was surprised to learn that NOCSAE doesn't have a standard for umpire masks, though they do for catcher's HSMs and helmets. That seems silly.

First game of the year is five days away. The weather guy is calling for clouds and 39 degrees, so that should be fun.

NOCSAE requires ear covering so if you are referring to the traditional mask, they haven't a standard for it. Without ear protection, which is in fact temple area protection as well, they feel it is unsafe.

I agree. :D