importance of wearing umpire equipment

[WestMichBlue]

One hard sharp blow to the right place on the chest can bring the old ticker to an immediate stop!

Admittedly, I am not working in the Southern heat and humitidy, but I am not going out anytime without the chect protector. A 60 mph fastball has a lot of force behind it.

WMB

[mick]

Originally posted by kono
Through 4 years of high school ball, my daughter only saw 1 or 2 umps that wore much more than a mask. Her last 2 years, the teams pitcher was in the dirt a lot, and had trouble hitting spots - my DD would set up high outside - when the ball comes low inside - PU is gonna take a beating. Saw many dancing bears behind the plate. In her last H.S. game, PU gave her grief after taking a couple off the shins (probably didn't help that we were all snickering behind the fence - DD made a nice scoop - he didn't see it, he was doing a jig or something ;-). She gave it right back and told him that he needed to buy some equipment - I thought she was gonna get tossed.

-Kono

Kono,
I wear all the stuff and work the box, but none the less, when *my* catcher picks one up off the dirt, the first thing I say is, "Thank you!", and I surely believe they all say, "You're welcome."
mick

[FUBLUE]

Nice discussion...allow me to chime in from the humidity of Indiana (where it is currently 41 degrees and we're calling for 6 inches of snow tonight).

I grew up on men's fastpitch...guys were throwing in the mid 90's. I used to not wear a chest protector...because I was young and stupid. Started working the slot, and took a foul ball off the shoulder (near the trapezius muscle). It hurt worse than when I was shot several years later. The next day I bought brand new gear.

I now wear steel toe plate shoes with "side panels" as well, full shin guards, cup, chest protector (full chest protector, Honig's first version) and a mask with an extended throat guard. Wear the gear if you have it. I know it's hot (every try Indiana in July? 95 degrees and 100% humidity).

I'm 6'2" and pushing 300 pounds. I set up in the slot, and get hit usually at least once a game...depending on level. During a summer ASA tournament last year I lost 20 pounds from Friday morning to Sunday night. I drink a minimum of 4-20ounce bottles of water per game, and one between. I hydrate myself starting on Wednesday...no soda, no suds, just water and sports drinks. My students can always tell when I have a big tournament on a weekend, because out goes the Dr. Pepper bottle and in comes Gatorade. I try to drink at least 64 ounces of Gatorade and at least 40 ounces of water on Wednesday and Thursday before tournaments.

Last year at a 14U ASA National (I guess they ran out of good umpires to send, so they sent me) I had several parents from one California team ask me if I was okay. Tourney director forgot about water for my diamond, and I didn't get it until the 3rd inning. I was draining a 12 ounce bottle of water every half-inning, playing catch-up. I chugged two after the top of the 3rd. They said they have never seen an umpire drink so much water. That's just me. I'd rather have a slight "sloshy" feeling in the stomach instead of the thirst (which means you're done for).

I worked a tourney last year and the director asked me what diamond I was on for the first day. I told him, and there was an extra cooler of water on that diamond, with my name on it. Interesting how they get to know your habits, right?

When I UIC, I make sure my umpires have water...even if it means me getting it to them. No one at my tournaments has ever complained about not getting water. I wouldn't work for anyone who doesn't get the umpires water.


[Edited by FUBLUE on Mar 15th, 2004 at 04:01 PM]

[IRISHMAFIA]

Anyone who questions the protection offered by and the importance of a chest protector may want to read this article.

Granted, a lacrosse ball is more dense and travels at higher speeds, but the effect on the human body can be the same.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=1762103