fellow officials,
I am looking for the new breakaway lanyards that have been recently been marketed. I believe they are made by "Smitty" but am not sure. Any one have the info on these items??? I tried one at camp a couple of weeks ago, and they are great. I want to get some ASAP. Any help from my fellow officials will be as usual, greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

What is so great about them? (I know that sounds bad, I'm serious, I haven't seen them.)

Are they lighter? Do they work like the "lasso" lantards or are they like the traditional on the loop smitty?

the breakaway lanyards that I refer to are light weight and are the traditional "lasso" model. They do not have the ball neck tightener, but a device that allows only one end of the loop to be opened or closed. If someone does pull on the lanyard when it is around your neck, there is a breakaway device that allows it to come undone. I have been using the traditional "smitty" for the past couple of years, but have gone back to the "lasso" model that smitty has been making for the last year or so. I believe that they (smitty) now have come out with this breakaway model. The WNBA officials that were clinicians at the camp I attended really thought they were nice. I am looking to get in touch with the makers of the smitty...that's where I need your help!!

They have a web site, I am pretty sure there is a link from here to it.

Brent Smith is the inventor of the Smitty lanyard.

http://www.SmittyLanyards.com

So what are the advantages of the "lasso" ones over the "Smitty"? I like the clips on the shirt loop, and I carry a safety pin in case it breaks. (I had that happen once, but I could tie a knot in it to hook.) I've never experienced someone trying to grab the whistle, but I know the shirt loop would break quickly. (Its also easy for my wife to fix.)

I can't really see the need for a breakaway lanyard. If someone were to yank on it, they'll break the cheap little loop anway. It's not like the lanyards that we wear in football that goes completely around the neck.

But to be cautious, prior to the game, I tuck the whistle inside the V-neck. As soon as the final horn sounds, I take it off and stick it in my pocket.

I just happen to like the lasso look and feel during a game, and yes it is like the lanyards you wear in football...completely around your neck. This is just a personal preference that I have developed, they are not better or worse than the smittys, but I happen to prefer them....bottom line.

I've noticed quite a few more of these this year than last year, so I'm sure you're not the only person who has developed this taste.

Don't have a choice. The state mandates a smitty with the V-neck shirt.

You guys use a whistle? ;)

Only when I'm not swallowing it! :)

Fox 40 sells the break away lanyards and are also manufacturing a break away smitty which should be available in early 2002. Also look for peppermint flavoured (yes flav-ou-red cause Foxcroft is Canadian!) CMG's! He was at a recent camp and spoke of his new products. :)

How about a BLACK CMG? It would certainly be less noticeable. I hate that clear plastic, rubber,...whatever it is.