Ok I coached at a tourney this weekend and I did not see one umpire wearing a chest protector on ANY of the fields. It was lower level ball, rec throw together all-star teams, all officials had high school patches on. Different levels 11U(don't ask I don't know!!) 12U 14U and 16U. In our games I saw 2 different umps take HARD untouched foul balls off the upper chest area, around the collar bone area.

There comments were it was too hot for chest protectors, some didn't even wear shin guards. It was hot 95+ with humidity felt like 103-110, but personally I wont' do a game without all my gear. Wanted some opinions as to how often this happens, alot of you work in that kind of heat most of the year do you wear full gear?? Any tricks to stay cool other than obvious lots of water and cold towels??

What!!??
 

I've never seen an umpire (except for slowpitch) without a chest protector on. Can you say stupid? It's hot yes, but I'd much rather be a little uncomfortable than get hit in the chest and have my heart stop. I can't believe any umpire would ever step behind a plate in a fastpitch game without full gear. Stupid if you ask me.

-Josh

It was brutally hot here this weekend.


I bet it would have been just as hot if I hadn't worn my chest protector.

Well, Josh, opinions are just like a$$holes. Every has one, and most of them stink.

Some day you may get out in the world and discover people don't always conform to your personal beliefs. What I find stupid is people who call others stupid for having a differing opinion. Your decision to wear a chest protector is certainly in the majority, but that doesn't give you the right to insult others.

I am 52 years old, have umpired fastpitch for 34 years, at reasonably high levels. I currently call NCAA Div I in addition to other levels of collegiate ball. In ASA I have worked two 18U Gold Nationals (including just last year), the Men's A, the Men's Masters 40+ (just two years ago), and will have a total of 17 ASA Nationals at the end of this year. Guess what, Josh. NO CHEST PROTECTOR, not in any ONE of those games in the last 34 years. I guess I am stupid, after making an adult decision that I am comfortable with at all times.

Same Georgia climate as JEL; yes, it was brutally hot, and I worked a 23U tournament. The heat isn't why, I just don't wear one.

Hey, no way would I ever go without gear. I'm a girl and girls don't like to sweat.:-)

I don't care how hot it is. It was 102 (110 index) this weekend in Jacksonville, AR and that sure isn't going to stop me-especially if they're 14's and up.

Suck it up. Heat is during the summer is inevitable.

"Well, Josh, opinions are just like a$$holes. Every has one, and most of them stink."

Yes but we are all still entitled to them. I apologize if I offended you Steve as that was not my intent. I just do not think that choosing to wear a protector is a wise decision. You feel differently about the issue and I can respect that. My choice of wording was probably not the best. I will not edit my first post as I feel that we may all make mistakes and must live with them. However, I do apologize to you and anyone else I may have offended with it.

-Josh

I will be doing the PONY nationals tournament in Harlingen Tx this weekend, About 120 degrees behind the plate and 95% humidity. I haven't worn a chest protector in about 3 years, I would say we are about 50/50 split those that wear cp's and those that don't. I get hit a lot less then those that do wear them. I haven't taken a direct hit on my collarbone but a few off the chest and not even a a bad bruise.

guys...especially ATL Steve...I love you all..but you ARE nuts if you dont wear one.. It IS just my opinion...and I mean no disrespect when I say it...wear one....HEAT is NO excuse..personal preference maybe...but HEAT...no....

It is more apersonal preference for me. I just noticed that if I stayed in position I didn't get hit. Why am I wearing it if I never need it? I wear my mask, soccer shin gaurds, cup and steel toe shoes. I find I take more hits on my arms and thighhs then the chest and those areas don't have any protection.

Worked a tournament this past weekend, and at my first bracket game the temperature was 103, with humidity hovering right around the seventy percentile area. I had all of my equipment on, including my chest protector. However, as the afternoon wore on I became aware that only I and one other umpire were wearing our chest protectors, everyone else opting to go without them. I agree with the others who state that it is a lot more "reasonable" to wear the protective gear at all times. However, I long ago quit trying to force these beliefs on others. If they get injured and have to seek medical attention, they will learn a lesson the tough way. Otherwise, they won't listen to any voice of reason.

I had a friend several years ago who frequently wouldn't wear her chest protector in hot weather with the younger girls. I would question this decision, and make the usual comments like "your equipment won't do you any good sitting in your bag." Then, one year she was working a 10U State Tourney w/o the chest protector, took a foul ball off of her shoulder and seperated it. Needless to say, that ended that tournament for her, and also the remainder of the year. Tough lesson to learn, but since then you haven't seen her on the field without all of her equipment.

But...if you read my previous post, then you know that it just takes that one hit. I would rather spend 60 bucks on a chest protector that will last a decade, than to ever have to shill out thousands of bucks to a hospital or doctor's office because I didn't have one on and just happened to take that one in a million shot. I think of it as an investment of sorts.

I am 52 years old, have umpired fastpitch for 34 years, at reasonably high levels. I currently call NCAA Div I in addition to other levels of collegiate ball. In ASA I have worked two 18U Gold Nationals (including just last year), the Men's A, the Men's Masters 40+ (just two years ago), and will have a total of 17 ASA Nationals at the end of this year. Guess what, Josh. NO CHEST PROTECTOR, not in any ONE of those games in the last 34 years. I guess I am stupid, after making an adult decision that I am comfortable with at all times

Steve,
You have every right to wear or not wear a chest protector as you see fit. But you have more than yourself to be concerned with. You have your partners, players and coaches who are also counting on you. You put them in jeopardy if you go down.

I too umpire 3 D-1 conferences as well as other levels. 2 years ago we had an ump who did not wear a chest protector (and hadn't for over 20 years) who took a shot to the ribs and broke 2. He left his partners and the teams short handed for the remainder of the series. It wasn't fair to any of the participants.

After that incident, our coordinator issued a memorandium that it was mandatory that all umpires wear chest protectors or they would not be allowed to call in that conference.

I would also be more concerned for any umpire who does not at least wear a protector that does not cover the heart. All it takes is one shot directly to the heart to stop it from beating, and you can never tell when that foul ball comes up and gets you.

Might I suggest the new Schutt protector that they had at last years 18 gold with the cool gel packs to help with the heat or at least the Hoenig's protector that covers the heart area but little else.

Hey Larry...

I emailed you a couple of weeks ago and have yet to hear back from you. Have you checked your email. I had an equipment question for you.

(sorry to hijack)

Insurance Claims
 

Speakaing ASA

If you're working ASA ball (legally), then you should be covered by ASA's insurance policy. Something tells me that there's some clause or phrase in that policy that justifies their payout only if you're wearing the proper equipment (i.e.: shin guards, chest protectors, etc.). If you're not properly equiped, and get hurt, they won't pay out...

Anyone had experience with this concept?

I know this is changing the subject (is this "hijacking a thread?"), but is the new Schutt protector available? I saw it at last years 18 gold, but didn't get to try it out. Would be interested in purchasing one.

Again, forgive me for changing the subject.

Thanks,
Serg

Re: Insurance Claims
 

While not an unreasonable concept, two things wrong.

1) ASA insurance covers the umpires if assigned an ASA game with two ASA registered teams by an approved ASA assignor. No exclusion for equipment.

2) According to the ASA rulebook, the only required equipment in fastpitch is a black mask with throat protector. Nothing else is added by the umpire manual. How could they exclude coverage when the equipment isn't required?

By the way, both NFHS and NCAA rulebooks also only require masks with throat protectors. NFHS also "recommends" a chest protector, but never even mentions shin guards or a cup. NCAA says (15-1.d) "It is strongly recommended that all umpires wear appropriate protective equipment." Even the NCAA Umpire Manual written within the past three years only lists the mask, a brush and an indicator as required equipment. It lists a chest protector and shin guards as optional equipment, in the same category as a lineup holder and sunglasses. Given the nature of other personal preferences stated so strongly by the authors, there must be some overwhelming reason why it isn't stated differently.

Hardly a requirement, and not even a ringing endorsement, let alone "properly equipped".

By the way, Josh, I was unreasonably harsh in my initial reaction to being called stupid; I apologize, and recognize and appreciate your restatement. While I should have thicker skin, and while I endorse and recommend anyone (else) to wear a chest protector, I believe that I have the right to make a decision for myself regarding "optional equipment".

[Edited by AtlUmpSteve on Jul 26th, 2005 at 03:08 PM]

Re: Re: Insurance Claims
 

If all you said is true, then that's what I was looking for...

Hey Larry...

I emailed you a couple of weeks ago and have yet to hear back from you. Have you checked your email. I had an equipment question for you.

Scott

know this is changing the subject (is this "hijacking a thread?"), but is the new Schutt protector available? I saw it at last years 18 gold, but didn't get to try it out. Would be interested in purchasing one.

Again, forgive me for changing the subject.

Thanks,
Serg

Sorry to hijack. Please forgive me.

Scott - I changed my email address and just updated it. Please try again.

Serg. If you will email me, I will let you know how to get the Schutt vest.

Larry

I wear all the gear, all the time.

I work in the same heat as Darell does.

There are some guys here in Phoenix that choose not to wear the chest protector...their decision, their risk. I choose not to take that risk.

I tried doing some games without the chest protector a few years ago and found that I was more concerned with avoiding possible wild pitches and foul balls than with staying strong in the slot to call the pitch. For me, wearing the protector gives me the confidence to stay in position in the slot to properly call the pitch.

I have also heard from a doctor that it only takes about 35 pounds of pressure to snap the collarbone, and a foul ball straight back off the bat is carrying approx 100 pounds of pressure...I don't like that math!

No gear?!
 

I've read this thread, and others in the past on the same subject. I am TOTALLY befuddled by this.

In this area, working High School / 18U & down, I have only ever seen 1 ump without gear behind the plate in a fast pitch game. (He is a tough old bird that appears to be built of steel bands & rawhide, and is also an exception to several laws of nature.) Even the parents doing entry level LL minors all have something!

What has happened several times are experienced umps, even wearing baseball-grade gear, still getting broken bones and other serious injuries from hard hits on the gear. A 60-70 mph softball fouled off a high-tech bat CAN be a literal cannon ball!

I fully respect the right of some to choose to not wear gear when not required. But, with all due respect, in this day and age, it is beyond my comprehension how anyone could rationalize not using at least "industry standard" safety gear.

This is like some "adults"(?) choosing to not wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle, just because the law doesn't require it in some states.

I am also a medically trained responder, and have seen what can happen WITH SAFETY GEAR IN PLACE, as well as not.

As society, and all us insurance paying members, will get to pay at least part of the bill for avoidable injuries that someone has the "right" to self-inflict, I think the days of "no gear" need to go the way of the days of "no seat belts".

Chest protectors? I have always worn all my gear -- except once. I was doing a State tourney at the 10U level. I took a foul ball in the chest and that was the last time I went without all the gear.

The best way I beat the heat when it's really hot is just keep drinking water. Every once in a while when I'm on the plate I just about finish a bottle and pour the rest of it on my neck and it dribbles on down. Feels pretty good and it keeps me going. I usually go through 4 or 5 bottles of water a game when it's really hot.

Is that it? :) I downed 4 in a 50 minute slow-pitch game this weekend...my first SP in over 4 years!

FUblue --- You drank so much doing SP for 2 reasons -- 1) You haven't umpired in 5 weeks and 2) YOU SUCK!

Honig's K2
 

I spent the last week in Chattanooga working games. We had onfield temps of 115, 112, 105 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. Never once would I have thought of not wearing the CP. However, there are a couple things you can do to minimize the heat you have to suffer.

First, wear underarmor instead of cotton t-shirts. I bought some of the loose UA for this season and it is amazing.

Second, keep a second CP around for those hot tournaments. The Honig's K2 model comes to mind, and actually, I use it 100% of the time but I definately can see why some would be uncomfortable with it on a regular basis. It covers only the most important parts. It just sucks if you get hit in the gut (though I do have some natural padding there).