hello,
im a fastpitch and baseball umpire here in virginia;
my question is why is it so hard for umpires too wear the proper equipment. i work with guys and gals doing fastpitch that wear soccer guards; and no chest protector; being a baseball umpire i wear my full protection when ever i step on the field; this is the way i was taught; sometimes they call me a wimp im a bigguy 6'2 228; and let me tell you something the bigger they are the harder they fall; my chest protector is a +pos with plates and my shin guards are jerry davis and my facemask is a jerry davis; sure this set me back a weeks pay; but i have never been hurt and im here too tell you i have had plenty of balls come off the bat and give me a good crack; so can anyone tell me why a umpire wouldnt wear the proper equipment?

thanks
tim

Beats me. I also do baseball and softball in Illinois. I also use the POS BB2000 chest protector which set me back about $125 but is well worth it. I've taken some good shots and the way it is designed it dissipates the impact across the protector. I wouldn't do baseball without it. I had a mask that I replaced two years ago that had one of the bars bent from a shot in a varsity baseball geame.

The only difference when I do softball is a lighter chest protector. I've done softball with guys who only use a mask and no chest protector or shin guards. I've been hit and a softball is in no means soft. I've seen guys drop when hit with a foul in the chest. Some of these guys think varsity softball players should be able to stop anything. They are more courageous or crazy than me.

No way am I behind the plate in baseball or softball without wearing all my protective gear.

I'm with you two. I've never understood the minimalist equipment umpire, either. Even at lower levels, a sharp "foul tip to the umpire" (using MLB baseball announcers definition of a "foul tip" http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk/smilie/cheesy.gif) can "leave a mark." ;)

Someone here will know the MLB umpire who, when asked if he wore his cup when calling the bases replied something like, "I don't even watch a game on TV without wearing my cup."

That sums up my attitude about equipment.

Billy P. talked about equipment and the evolution of umpiring at the National School here in Phoenix back in February. He said that we used to umpire from directly behind the catcher looking over the top of the catchers head. In this position, we were completely shielded by the catcher and only needed a mask for protection. As we have steadily moved the PU out toward the slot position we use today, the umpires have become more exposed and more protective equipment is necessary.

Some of my collegues in Phoenix have the attitude that wearing a chest protector for girls softball is "wimpy". Some others choose not to wear one because of the heat here in the summertime. I even know of two guys that do not wear a cup when they are behind the plate!

I agree with the opinions expressed: I wear all the gear, all the time!

Danger
 

A 58mph pitch that hits you in the leg or foot or arm can hurt, bruise, cut, and even break a bone. If you don't mind the pain, you will heal eventually. But a sharp blow to the chest can stop your heart; can kill you. Unfortunately it happens all too often in the sports world.

It's not worth the risk. Protect yourself - and learn how to be effective with all that equipment, and in the heat. Otherwise get off the field.

WMB

We had major league ump Gary Davis at regional clinic I attended who suprisingly replyed to a question that he doesn't wear a cup on the bases.

I wear a cup behind the plate and on the bases. Better safe than sorry.

Being female, I always want to protect my bazongas with a good chest protector. I call only FP and use the UMP. It works well and is much cooler than my old Allstar or +POS. I also wear long NIKE liner/pants under my slacks that hold in heat when it's cold outside, and wicks away moisture when it's hot. They also keep my knees from being rubbed as I wear double knee shin guards with wings and foot protector. I wear a light weight mask that I bought from ASA that I love and it's taken quite a few shots and has held up well.
I hate to say it guys, but some of you that don't wear full equiptment must have damaged egos of some sort. Not wearing a cup, chest protector and shin guards is just plain stupid!

:p


[Edited by Elaine "Lady Blue" on Mar 20th, 2003 at 02:41 PM]

Well, everybody can start picking on me. Baseball, yes, full protection. Fast-pitch softball? Haven't worn shin guards in years and often don't wear a chest protector. Depends on how I feel that day. I will concede that the collar bone is vulnerable.

As for a cup, I never wore one through school, Legion, college, semipro. Can't stand them. (No, I wasn't a catcher.) I'm 54, and the only injuries I've received in all my years of playing and umpiring were (1) as an ump, a FP softball to the elbow that caused an odd localized swelling the size of a golf ball; it went down in about 2 hours; and (2) as a SP player, a bad hop shot to the chest at third. Caused a big bruise, but that's it. In neither case would the usual protective equipment have helped.

With the Miken Ultras and the 12-inch golf balls they're hitting today, I'd wear a hockey helmet to play outfield.

I do wear my seatbelt.

You can put me on that list with greymule. I always wear my shin guards and cup, but I wear my chest protector when I feel like I need it. I know, I need it all the time. But sometimes, it just too damn hot, and I don't feel like putting it on.
It may come from my younger days as a player. I caught men's fastpitch softball and the only think I wore then, was a cup and a mask. No shin guards, no chest protector. I look back now, and wonder why? I only knew one catcher that wore shin guards, none that wore a chest protector. But , at least now, when I don't have my chest protector on, I have a catcher in front of me.
I can't wait for this weekend now. If I choose to go without my chest protector, I'm know I'm going to take a shot.

For the first 12 years I did fast pitch, I didn't even own a chest protector. Then 4 years I was going to my first national, and bought one. I just thought I would be more focused on the game, and not worry about getting hit. i always wore shin gaurds, and a cup. I wear my CP most of the time, but sometimes don't feel like putting it on.

Here are the choices:
a) Being smart, protected and focused
b) Getting hurt
c) Worrying about some nitwit thinking I'm not macho

I think I'll pick "a". Even a quick recovery disrupts your concentration and delays the game. In one HSV game last year, each piece of my equipment took two hits except the right shinguard, but I'll keep wearing it in case I get a bunch of lefty batters.
I have to admit that, being used to LL, I didn't buy a chest protector when I started SB. That is, until I took three in the chest from a pitcher who also shattered a 3/4 inch thick wooden sign with a wild pitch. As to heat, just drink more WATER and don't be a wimp.

FWIW....The Honig's K2 chest protector is a good option for those of you worrying about the heat.

I live in Phoenix, so I think that I know about games in the heat. I switched from the traditional full length protector to the K2 last year and absolutely love it. It is lighter and easier to wear than the old one. It provides protection for the collar bone area and the sternum. I have plenty of "natural" padding above the waist. Several of my collegues here in Phoenix wear the K2.

(Now I just need to contact Honig's for my kickback) :)

Must be a regional thing when it comes to equipment.Here in my chapter in Southeastern PA,only about 2 guys out of 60 wear full gear.I wear shin guards,a mask,and of course a cup.I am not that crazy!!But as for the chest protector we just dont use it for our Varsity and Div III College softball games.I do take a shot in the shoulder area from time to time,but not enough to make me break out my CP.I know I probably should,but it is much more a habit and definetly not a macho thing for me.I did however have the pleasure this past summer of umpiring the Major Womens Fastpitch Tournament in Lyons,PA.I was behind the plate for the Stratford Brakettes(National champs 2002)and defintely brought out my CP in that game.Those women throw some serious heat!!!To sum it up,I believe it is a personal preference depending on the level of play. Jeff

During the AFA 18U Nationals this past year in Beaumont, Texas, three umpires
refused to wear the CP's, and we had three broken collar bone cases. Wear'em
guys/gals, cause you have no control of foul balls and pitches, that some
catchers cannot handle.

JMHO,

glen

.........or lazy and/or tired, hot, catchers! I got my worse injury from a lazy 16U A catcher that refused to catch inside pitches! A 60 MPH Fastball right to the top of my right hand. OUCH!! It swelled up to the size of a 12" ball. Luckily, no broken bones.

:rolleyes:

Sticks and stones..
 

and softballs WILL break your bones. You probably will continue to not use a piece of protective equipment until you break something (like I did).
I learned my lesson. It's not (regionally) cool to have a broken bone, when you could have avoided it.

Hey!

I LIKE the name 'Oatmealqueen'! How did that come about?

:D

I worked baseball at first with a "raft"-- loved it----
great in hot weather and gave great protection from foul
balls and wild pitches !!
when everyone went to inside protectors and working in
the slot--- I do only softball now and always wear my
inside protector !!!!
better than getting those bruises with the stitch marks
of the ball on your chest !!
to all newbies--------
GEAR UP !!!!
you will gain confidence-- you'll refrain from
flinching-- you'll call a better game and
keep a lot of those bruises off your body !!!
btw--
I am 6'3" 275-- a big target-- and do not hide
behind the catcher (who in many cases is some little
girl about 5'2" 120) they are fearless in their gear
why would you be less so ???
also--- I got a foul ball once on my wedding ring finger
(which I do not remove) and cut my finger-- so I hold my hands
behind my knees--- protects my fingers and makes me
reduce my hand signal to a reasonably timed signal !!

Behind the knees
 

I thought I was the only one to hold my hands behind my knees! Because I am an accountant that needs to use a computer keyboard effectively, I cannot let my fingers/hands get injured if I can help it. I have found this method to be quite effective, and it actually helps me to get set. When I can reach my hands behind my knees, I am set, and I am always at the same height at the same place every time.

Elaine..
 

I spend most of my time on the basketball board, but's it's spring now = softball.
You are the first to ask about my nickname. It's really rather simple. I get on these cereal kicks all of the time, and will exist on it almost every day. Oatmeal is my fave; I eat a bowl of oatmeal on game days for lunch as part of my routine. So people poke a little fun by calling me omq.:p

I started with the outside protector and didn't mind it at all. I thought it gave better protection, too.

One tip about the hands: try to keep them limp. A ball (even a baseball) that hits a relaxed hand is not likely to do much damage, but a tensed hand is very susceptible to injury. Remember when they used to teach the catchers to keep their hand in a fist? They found that the natural reflex was to open to a stiff hand, which practically invited injury.

Alright, because of this post I went out and bought shin guards this past weekend. I've only worked 10 and 12 C ball, but I have been hit on the ankles, etc. but i was trying on CPs and i just couldn't really find anything that fit me real well. It could just be because i'm an outfielder I'm not use to it.

I've never been hit in the chest so I don't really know how much I personally need one. Have caught a couple in the cage though.

Worked with a gentleman tonight that was protected,
but got hit on the wrist, and man, what swelling.

I use to put my hands behind my knees, but was informed that
that was improper by ASA State Clinic. They told me it locked
you in. I now just hang them loosely in front and between my legs.

I never had any problems moving out from the position with hands
behind knees, it was just that that is not what ASA wanted.

glen

They way I work in the slot is fully geared and put my outside hand (left for right handed batters and right for lefties) behind my back and let the inside had hang loosely behind the catcher. Been using it for about two years and so far haven't taken a hit. Used to dangle both loosely but I ususally took a couple a hits a year on the outside wrist and forearm.

Lildani,

You had better get a chest protector soon! As I remember, you are a female, and trust me, you don't want to get hit in the zabongas. I use an UMP chest protector. It's sized by your weight, it's light weight and is great protection.

I've never understood the umps who don't wear gear because it's "just girls' games."

Last year in a rec game, one team put in a pitcher who was WAY above the level of the other players. Her catcher was overmatched. The hitters were overmatched. And I was the backstop. My West Vest was worth every dollar I paid for it.

Then later in the season, my partner had the plate and she took a foul right in the collarbone. No break, thank goodness, but she could hardly stand for a while and never did really shake off the pain.

I don't umpire any more, but if I did, NO WAY would I walk onto a field without full gear.

Yes, the worst thing is a blazing fast pitcher and a sieve catcher. Good practice for holding still, though.

As I said in my previous post, the collarbone is the most vulnerable spot without a chest protector. But were it not for the collarbone, I'd seldom use a CP for FP except in the above situation.

the ASA seems to be concerned that their umpires all work
exactly the same way---- I think they turn off a lot of
decent umpires with that attitude--- I say if you do a good
job and you feel comfortable--- that is the bottom line !!
gear up !!!

Patrick,
If I remember correctly, you were a student at a Michigan or Minnesota college. You're a young guy with a large potential as an umpire. When the job permits, get back in.

And for the one knocking ASA for wanting everyone to umpire the same way.............. I do not quite see what that has to do with the wearing of equipment. From what I see - and I do not do NSA, AFA, PONY, U-trip, or any of the other sanctioning bodies - ASA provides some very good training. Yes, the new & young umpires should all look pretty much the same as they as still in the early stages of learning how to umpire. After learning the fundamentals, add your own personal style touch. That is what I have heard ASA folks say and what I believe that I see them ecourage. I think your comment was coming from the viewpoint of someone who spoke without verifying what you said first. But, umpiring is very much based on what things appear to be and you may have seen the wrong appearance.

Steve M

I have always let my hands hang between the knees and get nicked often, but no damage because of being relaxed. But I like the behind the knees idea and can't wait to try it, maybe this afternoon. My most frequent bruise area is the left forearm. Surprise, surprise, yesterday I got one in the right shinguard with a right-handed batter.

No, Steve, you must be thinking of somebody else. Never been to either "M" state, and haven't been a student for lo these many years.

I always "gear up" to do the plate. I put my batter side arm behind my knee. How much is hidden depends on the batter. It protects my hand. Because I work the slot I have been hit on the inside of the batter side thigh. It bruises up when hit. I prefer it to the ball hitting my forarm though. Female umpires, do you wear a pelvic protector?(like the majority of the people on this site give a rip) I do when working higher level ball.

Welcome Rachel!!!! Long time no hear! Glad you came over to this board. Many of us had to get away from McGriff's.
Have a great season!

:cool:

I always wear shinguards, mask, and cup. Chest protector is usually my +POS unless very hot and then I use a Baloon. Shinguards are necessary because even with 10yr olds who basically throw slow pitch around here, I find the number of flying bats around my shins enough to convince me to wear them. As to the cup, last year I finished 2 games by myself because of teen age boy umps who didn't see any reason to wear a cup until after they left the game bendin over and walking real slow. OUCH!
Have fun out there,
Gordon

No pelvic protector for me. I've seen them advertised but never thought to use one.

Don't know about the majority, but I don't want to see any umpire hurt.

I know that the pelvic protector came out on the market right after the Little League fiasco in Florida a couple of years ago. Does the pelvic protector really help? My question is not a smart alec one, but just a question from the uncivilized half the the Earth's population.

I guess it would be personal preference, but I feel no need for a pelvic protector. I mean it's not like we have any, (how to say it) external things to cover down there. Sure, we could get a bruise, but we don't fall on the ground sucking air for 10 minutes if we get hit there. I would rather cover my (as Elaine says) bazongas.

Unhappy young Lady Blue [no pun entended]
 

oatmealqueen wrote:

<b>Quote:
"but we don't fall on the ground sucking air for 10 minutes if we get hit there. I would rather cover my (as Elaine says) bazongas."</b>

That may be true, however, I worked with a young lady that
took at shot in the plevic and was out for a long time. Not a
great feeling I am sure.

glen

Re: Unhappy young Lady Blue [no pun entended]
 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by whiskers_ump
oatmealqueen wrote:

<b>Quote:
"but we don't fall on the ground sucking air for 10 minutes if we get hit there. I would rather cover my (as Elaine says) bazongas."</b>

That may be true, however, I worked with a young lady that
took at shot in the plevic and was out for a long time. Not a
great feeling I am sure.

glen [/QUOTE

Yikes!! Hope she recovered ok.

When I first started I thought hey this is only girls and wore minimum equip. not even a cup!Well you guessed it a girl foul tipped one off her hand and bat and hit my home plate.I saw stars and planets!fortunately for me and bad for her she was hurt so everybody went to her while I leaned against the backstop in agony.Needless to say I wear a cup!Later in the year I took afoul tip off my big toe and couldn't walk for a week.So now plate shoes and the moral is I wear the whole deal now no matter how hot it is!

Missed April, May, June, July, August in 2002. Foul tip off the big toe, broken in two places. Didn't realize how many times my dog actually stepped on my feet until then. Didn't wear a shoe til late August. I guess that'll learn me.

I did 2 college games this weekend. After 5 1/2 months of no softball the pitches came in pretty fast that first inning. I called acouple of high ones that made the coach groan and me swear to myself under my breath. Once I slowed down it got better. I did manage a softball sized purple bruise off a foul tip about 2" away from the pelvic protector and another smaller one through my shin pads on the knee cap. If I wouldn't have had padding on the knee I think the knee cap would be gone now.