Re: old balloon type okay?
 

No one will take you seriously. The spectators will think the real umpire didn't show up so they pulled someone from the stands.

What are you gonna do when there is a close play at the plate? You're holding your mask in one hand and the protector in the other!

It just doesn't look professional.

Re: Re: old balloon type okay?
 

Why would one be doing this? It's possible / easy to hold both in one hand with a little practice.

And, I disagree with Tee about how it might affect your zone. One can stand in the slot or over the top with both the balloon and the inside protector (I agree that the AL umps stood in a different spot than the NL umps, but that doesn't have anything to do with where a baloon umpire might stand today.)

If it's a youth game on a hot summer day, then I say go ahead and use it -- you can reverse the initial impression by hustling and being otherwise professional. It would be harder to do this at higher levels.

but in todays lawsuit happy world what if that protector hits an on deck batter and he says that he has irreversiable nerve damage. Far fetched why risk it