Umpire Gear

[fastpitchfan]

I'm looking for some lightweight gear for 12U fastpitch and I'm considering the following and wondered if anyone had any comments.

Diamond DLG-UMP Lite Shin Guards

All Star FM1500UMP Mask

Honig K2 Fastpitch Elite Chest Protector

DaviShield Chest Protector

[Gulf Coast Blue]

Originally Posted by fastpitchfan

I'm looking for some lightweight gear for 12U fastpitch and I'm considering the following and wondered if anyone had any comments.

Diamond DLG-UMP Lite Shin Guards

All Star FM1500UMP Mask

Honig K2 Fastpitch Elite Chest Protector

DaviShield Chest Protector

Go with this mask.....the All Star is a POS and this Wilson mask is cheaper and much better IMHO.

Wilson Single-Bar Lightweight Umpire Mask

I have both the Honigs K1 and K2, I prefer the K1.

Shin guards are a decent choice. I have the Rawlings Titans which are very similar. I had a pair of All Star double knee shin guards that were quite good, but they got stolen out of my car when I had a two game break to run over and watch a HS Baseball game. Stole my shin guards and one of my masks......left the other mask though.

Joel

[Tru_in_Blu]

Speaking ASA and NFHS, if the umpire wears the hockey-style mask, is a hat required to be worn under it?

Thanx,

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu

Speaking ASA and NFHS, if the umpire wears the hockey-style mask, is a hat required to be worn under it?

Thanx,

My understanding for ASA only is no, a hat is not required under the hockey-style mask, nor is the umpire required to remove the mask.

That's what I've heard. Don't know how accurate that information is.

I have a traditional mask, so that's not an issue.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

My understanding for ASA only is no, a hat is not required under the hockey-style mask, nor is the umpire required to remove the mask.

That's what I've heard. Don't know how accurate that information is.

I have a traditional mask, so that's not an issue.

Speaking ASA (10-5-C) and NFHS (10-4-2)...a hat is a required part of the uniform for both the plate and base umpire. If the hockey style helmet is worn, you better have a cap on underneath it! I understand that there are these types of masks made that can accomodate the cap.

Disclaimer: for ASA, this applies to championship play, local associations can do as they please.

For NFHS, the state association can choose to waive this requirement.

In my part of the world, we require that both umpires wear the hat in ASA and NFHS.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by Andy

Speaking ASA (10-5-C) and NFHS (10-4-2)...a hat is a required part of the uniform for both the plate and base umpire. If the hockey style helmet is worn, you better have a cap on underneath it! I understand that there are these types of masks made that can accomodate the cap.

Disclaimer: for ASA, this applies to championship play, local associations can do as they please.

For NFHS, the state association can choose to waive this requirement.

In my part of the world, we require that both umpires wear the hat in ASA and NFHS.

Andy, I have heard (probably the same source, Emily) about masks that can accommodate hats, but when asked, not one has been named, nor am I familiar with any that do.

That said, there was an interpretation about 2 years ago from KR at ASA saying that umpires that wore a hockey mask did not need to wear a hat beneth it, but was required to have a hat available (back pocket or ball bag, I suppose) to wear whenever the mask was off between innings, between plays, or when talking with a coach. Kind of like the inverse requirement for sunglasses.

[argodad]

I saw a MLB game a week or two ago in which the Plate Ump was wearing a HSM and an old-style plate coat. Looked very weird.

[BretMan]

Originally Posted by argodad

I saw a MLB game a week or two ago in which the Plate Ump was wearing a HSM and an old-style plate coat. Looked very weird.

We have one oldtimer around here that uses a hockey-style mask and an outside balloon chest protector. Now that is a strange combination!

[Tru_in_Blu]

Originally Posted by BretMan

We have one oldtimer around here that uses a hockey-style mask and an outside balloon chest protector. Now that is a strange combination!

I'll see your oldtimer and raise you a newbie.

First tournament of the year for us and we're breaking in a couple of new umpires. My partner shows up to a field that I had been working. I'm now going to bases, and he'll do the plate. He's carrying his mask and CP.

I asked him why he didn't put on his CP in the parking lot with his other gear. Says, no problem, I'll just put it on now, and proceeds to start to put it on over his ASA shirt. No, no, I tell him. The CP goes UNDER the shirt. He's a bit miffed, but complies.

Then he tells me he doesn't wear a hat when he wears a mask (which might be the first time at this tournament). I said a hat was mandatory - no HSM, just standard mask. He's miffed again, but tries it. Hat on, mask on, mask off including an embedded hat. OK, I tell him to ditch the hat.

He told me he had his leg guards on. Good, I said and noted they were being worn under his pants.

He did have a white t-shirt on under the navy shirt. I mentioned that to him. Claims he didn't have a navy t-shirt. I told him he'd have to buy one. Miffed again, he says he's already down over $400 and doesn't plan to buy a navy t-shirt.

I briefly considered asking him if he had a cup on, but just as quickly decided I didn't really want to know. TMI.

As far as his first game, on a scale of 10, he's a 4. Lot's to learn, including not standing right behind the catcher fiddling with his mask while pitcher is warming up. I had to intervene in that case just to make sure he didn't leave the field on a stretcher.