Slow pitch: Mask or no mask

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by bainsey

After ten years behind the plate in slow-pitch, it finally happened. I took a foul ball to the left cheek bone. The shiner still hasn't gone away.

I've had fun explaining my black eye to everyone at work. (One of my colleagues even declared a bounty on anyone who would take a picture of me.) Still, I got asked a lot, "don't you wear a mask?!"

Not in these parts, we don't. I tried it the game after I got nailed, and I didn't like it. Does anyone else wear masks for slow pitch?

Nope, never. And I credit never being hit to actually being down in a set position. All the umpires I have ever seen hit have been closer to standing upright and not dropping to a set.

Of course, now that I've said this.....................................

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by jr131981

never have and hopefully never will have to. ive only had 1 close call where i had to jump out of the way of a foul tip.

there used to be an ump who would where pants with shinguards and a mask for all SP games, to each their own, cant knock someone for being safe.

I would sometimes wear shinguards whenever I'd call the really "rec" coed leagues. Those catchers can't catch for spit, and that ball always seemed to hit the exact same spot on my shinbone.

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Nope, never. And I credit never being hit to actually being down in a set position. All the umpires I have ever seen hit have been closer to standing upright and not dropping to a set.

Of course, now that I've said this.....................................

I agree. Being in the set position in the slot with a good heel-toe gives you a better chance at moving out of the way than standing straight up, square to the plate.

Even tonight, I dodged a really good one heading straight for my face.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Nope, never. And I credit never being hit to actually being down in a set position. All the umpires I have ever seen hit have been closer to standing upright and not dropping to a set.

Of course, now that I've said this.....................................

Shoot, I take shots in FP all of the time, and the set is even lower (slightly.) To me, it just isn't worth the risk.

[DaveASA/FED]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

Shoot, I take shots in FP all of the time, and the set is even lower (slightly.) To me, it just isn't worth the risk.

I agree...as I heard one time Foul balls got no conscious...they don't care where they hit you or how bad its going to hurt

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

Shoot, I take shots in FP all of the time, and the set is even lower (slightly.) To me, it just isn't worth the risk.

Come on! Really? You are comparing a ball traveling 50+ mph and one travelling approx. 80% slower and coming at an extremely different angle and very much a different bat movement?

What do they say about that dog and his/her hunting abilities in a situation like this?

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Come on! Really? You are comparing a ball traveling 50+ mph and one travelling approx. 80% slower and coming at an extremely different angle and very much a different bat movement?

What do they say about that dog and his/her hunting abilities in a situation like this?

I am not really concerned about which particular canine will do what, exactly. What does concern me is taking a shot to the face. It happens, to umpires in the set position and those who aren't, in both SP and FP. While I have never received a face shot in SP, as I stated earlier, to ME, it just isn't worth the risk. MY preference.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

I am not really concerned about which particular canine will do what, exactly. What does concern me is taking a shot to the face. It happens, to umpires in the set position and those who aren't, in both SP and FP. While I have never received a face shot in SP, as I stated earlier, to ME, it just isn't worth the risk. MY preference.

And didn't you just mention earlier a fellow umpire losing teeth and getting a broken nose?

That's plenty of justification in my book.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

I am not really concerned about which particular canine will do what, exactly. What does concern me is taking a shot to the face. It happens, to umpires in the set position and those who aren't, in both SP and FP. While I have never received a face shot in SP, as I stated earlier, to ME, it just isn't worth the risk. MY preference.

Never said it wasn't, just questioned your, IMO, comparisons between the games. Not the same.

[BuggBob]

Years ago, the day be for a family vacation, I took a foul bal off the snot bucket, and upper lip. It actually tore off some of my cool 'stash. Sment most of the trip sitting on the sidelines because of the pain. I still have a scar clump on the inside of my lip. I wear a mask now. I know that umpires of vastly more experiance than I will tell you that the slot may protect you -- it won't.

Besides I have been told that our insurance won't cover an injury if we're not wearing a mask.

Bugg

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by BuggBob

Years ago, the day be for a family vacation, I took a foul bal off the snot bucket, and upper lip. It actually tore off some of my cool 'stash. Sment most of the trip sitting on the sidelines because of the pain. I still have a scar clump on the inside of my lip. I wear a mask now. I know that umpires of vastly more experiance than I will tell you that the slot may protect you -- it won't.

No, it doesn't really protect you, but places the umpire in an area least likely to get hit.

Besides I have been told that our insurance won't cover an injury if we're not wearing a mask.

Bugg

Well, somebody is blowing smoke up your tail now.