Newbie Question

[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**!