Newbie Question

[derwil]

First year in FP SB. Working NFHS in Alabam. Most of the umpires in this association don not wear chest protectors. Is this wierd? Do most umps wear them? I bought a Pro-Nine CP...is this one OK? What would you all suggest?

Thanks

[RKBUmp]

We had an ump show up to one of my daughters junior high games and he wore no equipment at all, including no face mask. He said junior high girls dont throw hard enough to get hurt. Little did he know that the pitcher could throw in the mid 50's.

I know a couple of guys that dont wear chest protectors, but, I dont like being hit and even a couple of the hits I have taken on the chest protector have still not been real comfortable. Cant imagine what they would have felt like with nothing on. My biggest worry would be taking a ball to a collar bone. Doubt much real damage would be done to ribs other than just hurt like heck, but taking a direct shot to a collar bone would certainly end up broken.

[senorazul]

When I first started almost twenty years ago, it was rare that a fast pitch umpire would wear a chest protector. Over the years, I think wearing one is now more common. I used to go without one, until I took one right in the collarbone. I use the Shutt compression style cp designed for fp sb. I love it. Your Pro nine should work well.

[Skahtboi]

Yes, it is extremely weird to me when people don't want to do everything in their power to prevent themselves from injury. The Pro 9 is an excellent chest protector if you are talking about this model. It is the one I use for all level of ball from college down to the kids.

[shipwreck]

I too use the Pro 9 like pictured in the previous post. I love it. Dave

[SethPDX]

Yes, going without a CP is weird to me. But a few years back our HS association actually had to tell everyone that it was mandatory--there were still a few veterans who did not wear one. I use the Honig's K1 for softball and baseball and love it.

[Dakota]

There are a few guys in my area that don't use a CP. Quite a few (inlcuding me) use the Honig's K-2; kind of a "half" CP.

[Andy]

I went from the K2 to the Pro-nine last year.

The K2 worked fine as far as protection for the collarbone and sternum, but I got tires of those shots to the gut that stung for a little while. I like my new Pro-Nine.

I have heard from a reliable medical source that it only takes about 40 pounds of force to snap the collarbone. My opinion is that a foul ball straight back or even a high pitch that the catcher just doesn't get a glove on generates more than 40 pounds of force. Wear the equipment.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by Andy

I went from the K2 to the Pro-nine last year.

The K2 worked fine as far as protection for the collarbone and sternum, but I got tires of those shots to the gut that stung for a little while. I like my new Pro-Nine.

I have heard from a reliable medical source that it only takes about 40 pounds of force to snap the collarbone. My opinion is that a foul ball straight back or even a high pitch that the catcher just doesn't get a glove on generates more than 40 pounds of force. Wear the equipment.

Not to mention that a hard enough shot to the chest at the right moment can stop your heart. Ask any Lacrosse player.

This equipment was made for a reason.

[Chess Ref]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

Not to mention that a hard enough shot to the chest at the right moment can stop your heart. Ask any Lacrosse player.

This equipment was made for a reason.

My thinking exactly. I tried going without once in a 10U game. I got all macho around some of the other umps. Of course I got nailed and had the bruise , left side of chest,for 10 days afterwards to prove it.

No brainer-I wear the equipment.

[DeputyUICHousto]

I wear the K2 and I love it. Just the right amount of protection.

A friend of mine used to go without a cp. He took one right over his heart and suffered a bruised heart. It took well over a year for it to heal completely.

I can't imagine an umpire not using protective equipment.

[greymule]

When I lived in the Soprano State, we had a guy who wore no chest protector ever, and no mask for 12u and below, even in good tournaments. I'm sure we've all seen many a 12-year-old who can throw quite hard, sometimes teamed with a catcher who "stoppeth one in three," as Coleridge said. (In fact, 12u is probably where you take the worst beating, since by 14 the catchers are usually pretty good.) Anyway, I told this guy he was crazy, but he just shrugged and said that he'd never been hurt.

I wear the best protection I can, which to me means high-quality baseball gear. Still, I've taken shots that swelled my forearm to twice its size and gave my elbow a fluid bump as big as a golf ball. During the season, I always have at least one deep bruise on an arm. Any of the pitches that gave me those injuries could have broken a collarbone, not to mention smashing a nose or knocking out teeth.

But now I live in Alabama—in Blount Springs, derwil, about 25 miles north of you—and if I continue umpiring, I'll wear my stuff no matter what the other guys do.

(I will admit that for little kids I lighten up on the protection.)

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by greymule

...but he just shrugged and said that he'd never been hurt.

Probably because he is always ducking and hiding.

Originally Posted by greymule

I wear the best protection I can, which to me means high-quality baseball gear. Still, I've taken shots that swelled my forearm to twice its size and gave my elbow a fluid bump as big as a golf ball. During the season, I always have at least one deep bruise on an arm. Any of the pitches that gave me those injuries could have broken a collarbone, not to mention smashing a nose or knocking out teeth.

I was once on the field with a guy in SP who took a foul shot right in his kisser. Broke his nose, several teeth, and was just a plain ugly and painful sight to behold. Since I have always called FP, made me decide to start wearing the facemask even when calling SP. I didn't give a (expletive deleted) about the comments I constantly heard.

[ChampaignBlue]

Wear the gear and stay healthy, can't call a game in the hospital.

Even in slow pitch you have to watch out for those errant throws. Like the shot I took when I went set to call a throw on the runner from the relay that the SS brought his glove down just a tad soon to make the tag. Learned the value of a cup. Or the game working alone, had a play at the plate made the call hustled out 3rd base side of the mound, went set anticipating throw from catcher to 2nd, never have found protection for a shot in the a**!

[3afan]

its just dumb not to wear a chest protector ... even a 30 mph ball can break a clavicle (clooarbone) if it hits just right.