special equipment for umpires

[sloth]

With the new head gear for the arena league umpires, I found myself wondering if I need to get special protective equipment for next season.

I've been a BJ and line official since I started 6 years ago. I've never worked as an umpire on Friday night. I find myself the umpire on my crew next season. I'm not used to being in the mix...typically I have lots of room and time to avoid contact. Thi is going to be different when I'm the big ugly in the middle. How many umpires wear special equipment like steel toe cleates or preventative knee braces?

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by sloth

How many umpires wear special equipment like steel toe cleates or preventative knee braces?

I've never met one who does, and I don't.

[RMR]

There used to be an umpire in our association who would wear soccer shing guards under his socks.

As a joke one time he was presented with a lacrosse helmet painted to look like a football cap.

[dldsooner]

There have been times when my toes stepped on by the big boys on the line that I wished I would have had some type of protection for my toes. I have never had or worn any special type of shoes or shin guards though.

[Rick KY]

I don't wear any knee braces or shin guards, or protective footwear. I know of an Umpire who wears baeball plate shoes to protect his toes. Another U I know wears braces on both knees, but he's torn both ACL's and more in his knees in the past. I suffered a sprained knee last season when an OL fell into my left knee. A brace may have saved me from the injury, but I don't own one. I may consider it for next season.

[stevestod]

I don't wear any shoes with cleats; just in case the big eaters get into my legs. It has helped a couple of times where I could just lean on the pile and go down with it.

[Jim S]

The "necessary" equipment page.
Necessary Umpire's Equipment