No Chest Protector

[Reffing Rev.]

My first year doing hs softball, I was encouraged by a mentor who did state games every year to work the plate with only leg guards and a mask. I had to call her to take my next game because I had a bruised rib. I don't even work slow pitch - mat-strike games without at least a mask.

her rationale was to get me in tighter to the catcher...it worked, i guess. I got the lesson at least.

[snorman75]

No chest, nuts.

I moved to hockey shin guards a few years ago. Love them, much lighter. I was doing a little league game Wednesday, kid is throwing 60+ and catcher is over whelmed. I almost asked for a glove. I got hit with 3 STRIKES. One got me right off the knee cap. Well I know wish I had my old huge baseball shin guards. Bruised my knee through the guard.

[JefferMC]

My DD is playing an ISA tournament this weekend. Every PU has had a chest protector on. Some were more bulky and obvious than others, but they all had them.

Originally Posted by JefferMC

My DD is playing an ISA tournament this weekend. Every PU has had a chest protector on. Some were more bulky and obvious than others, but they all had them.

Is this the tournament in Lexington? I call ISA (among others) and every year at the pre-season meeting the UIC and the State Director tell umpires they are complete idiots if they do not wear a complete set of protective equipment.

A few years ago in a Fall dome game in MA we had an umpire who did not wear a chest protector and had her collar bone broken.

Does the insurance cover this type of stupidity?

[JefferMC]

Is this the tournament in Lexington?

That's it.

do not wear a complete set of protective equipment.

I didn't check anywhere else.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

I umpire both baseball and fast pitch softbal, BUT basketball is my primary officiating sport, so it is very important that I protect myself while umpiring that would keep me from officiating basketball, such as broken toes, ribs, and shoulders. That is why I always wear plate shoes and chest protector whenever I am behind the plate. Oh yeah, I also wear a breathing apparatus, .

MTD, Sr.

[Chess Ref]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

I umpire both baseball and fast pitch softbal, BUT basketball is my primary officiating sport, so it is very important that I protect myself while umpiring that would keep me from officiating basketball, such as broken toes, ribs, and shoulders. That is why I always wear plate shoes and chest protector whenever I am behind the plate. Oh yeah, I also wear a breathing apparatus, .

MTD, Sr.

I'm a pretty big guy.....6'3,225 lbs and that ain't fat. I played D1 football. I would wear the Michelin man stuff if they sold it. And I wouldn't even dream off getting back there without my full on battle armour. Even with the gear I've taken shots that were not pleasant.....

[THREE]

"Hiding behind the catcher"--I must have missed that position when going thru training...sure seems safer than "work the slot".

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by GrumpUmp

Does the insurance cover this type of stupidity?

They probably would, since all ASA requires is the mask. But don't ask me, since I've never really looked much at the policy. I've been fortunate enough to have never had the imminent need.

I only do slow pitch, and I still wear soccer-style shin guards underneath my pants. That ball always seems to find the same spot on the bone.

I was invited to help with a High School tournament that they were short of umps several years ago. One ump was working the plate with a mask and cup only. I didn't check him so I'm not sure he even had a cup.:-) If you hide behind the catcher your not using the correct mechanics. I do some ISA and there are guys who don't wear their equipment either. I am not one of them. I guess I'm a wimp but I don't care what level of ball it is I wear it all.

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by softball_junky

I was invited to help with a High School tournament that they were short of umps several years ago. One ump was working the plate with a mask and cup only. I didn't check him so I'm not sure he even had a cup.:-) If you hide behind the catcher your not using the correct mechanics. I do some ISA and there are guys who don't wear their equipment either. I am not one of them. I guess I'm a wimp but I don't care what level of ball it is I wear it all.

Can you say damn fool - but then I think I may be repeating myself.

[bigsig]

I'm also too big to hide behind any catcher (6'3" 255, not all muscle). I always wear a chest protector, but one time, 2nd inning, I realized I wasn't wearing a cup!

I kept my hands over by crotch the rest of the game!

[3afan]

Originally Posted by softball_junky

....I guess I'm a wimp but I don't care what level of ball it is I wear it all.

heck yeah - me too

I don't like pain - I have enuf without being hit by a ball!

[iowasoftballump]

It's very funny that that I see this posted this morning after the weekend I had.

For the last year I have not been wearing a chest protector. I found that it was a lot cooler and felt very comfy behind the catchers in the area. Well that all changed this weekend. 14U game with a very good pitcher (60 MPH +) and a very good catcher. I ended up take a foul tip to the chest. All I have to say that will never happen again. I will never do a game again without a chest protector.

Chalk it up to being stupid. I very thankful and lucky that I did not break my collar bone.