What is it with these guys that don't wear their gear. I've been seeing this more and more.

1st game in the State playoffs. PU again has no gear other than a mask, ball bag, and possibly(?) a cup.

It's clear from the getgo that F1 is not going to hit her spots. When my DD calls for an outside pitch, sets up for an outside pitch, and it comes in the dirt inside - there ain't a whole lot she can do about it. Blue is gonna take some shots.

By the 5th inning or so, Blue is tired of taking his shots (he's been nailed 3 or 4 times). DD is frustrated because F1 isn't anywhere close to hitting spots and is still in the game (that's another pet peeve, but I won't get into that). Blue takes a shot on the shin. The next pitch comes in low (ball 4)and PU does a funny little dance for nothing that has everyone laughing. Someone offers him my gear which they know is in my truck. He mentions to Steph that it's her fault that he's getting beat up.

Bad move. Steph turns around and tells him that it wouldn't hurt so much if he had some gear on. The rest of the game, they were snipping at each other - I was surprised that she didn't get tossed. Considering the game situation, I'm not sure she would have minded.

Was she wrong for her comments?? Yup! Did Blue deserve them?? Yup!

-Kono

I don't get it either (as I've said before). Sure, it is unlikely that getting hit in a 10U rec game will be fatal (but not beyond the realm of possibility), but in a State playoff???? What is this guy trying to prove? Why does this guy even get assigned to the state tournament? It his brother-in-law in charge of assigning umpires? He can't be doing a quality job and doing duck and cover at the same time.

I've been seeing this more and more. For some reason though, this year it seems to be the rule more than the exception. I don't think my daughter could name 3 games where PU had gear.

FWIW - this is high school ball. The only thing our F1 had going for her all year was speen and occasional accuracy. A lot of balls in the dirt. My daughter does a pretty good job stopping most of them, but with some of them, there's not much she can do.

I sent an E-mail to the CIAC. Hopefully I'll get a response.

-Kono

Can't say that I have much sympathy for one of us who chooses to work the plate with no gear & gets hit.

Steve M

Am I the only one that sees this more and more, or are others seeing this too???????????????

Here is what I see...

No chest protector at 12U or below (<u>very</u> common).
No chest protector anytime (frequent, but not as common as for the little kids).
Use of soccer-style half-shin protectors (all levels).
No plate shoes (<u>very</u> common).

Personally, I've taken too many "foul tips to the ..." (using TV announcer-speak) knee caps, shoulders, shins, feet, etc., even with the little kids to go without the gear. Not to mention wild pitches (even though not real fast, they still don't feel very good bouncing off the shins!). But, I'm not into macho pain, and I prefer to stand in to see the pitch, instead of dodging and ducking.

I am very tolerant to pain. Contrary to fan opinion, I am not stupid, I wear mine. Learn to love your gear, it is your friend! I got used to having mine on so much that at one game, after calling plate the first game, I was into the bottom of the second inning, game two and realized I had my shin gaurds on! I can take the pain, but sure dont want to! Also, dont league, or association rules mandate protective equipment? they should. Just my opinion....

Learned my lesson
 

I didn't want to buy plate shoes, so I held off. Wore everything else, though. Then, a Senior League softball pitcher bounced two hard ones right off my left big toe. Went to Honig's and bought them the next day. Is there a stipulation in insurance for not wearing the proper gear? There certainly should be.

Little League requires mask, chest protector, and cup. Shin guards are optional, but highly recommended.

As for other leagues and the whatnot, I would bet it is the association that sets the standards. Leagues just want someone that can call ball/strikes/etc. I doubt that they worry about anything else when working with an association.

-Kono

Re: Learned my lesson
 

I think it was GCB that had a foul ball break a toe. After that story, I went out and found a pair of steel-toe sneakers at Wal-Mart. $25 - a lot less expensive than real plate shoes, and adequate for LL (until I take a foul ball off the top of the foot ;-).

First of all, 10&U are capable of injuring you. I had a lump and bruise on the back of my hand from Sunday until yesterday. I guess it's a mix of false bravado and cheapness. I naively started out with just a cup and mask, but learned the hard way pretty quickly.
Second of all, beyond availability, assignments are as much political as anything. In HS States here, it's pretty much the coaches' friends and those who have been here the longest.

I had a friend several years back not wear a chest protector at a 10U state tourney because of the heat that day. (I think that at this time the temp was around 103). Anyway, she took a foul shot off of a bat straight into her shoulder and separated it. Ended her season right then and there. Tough way to learn, but you will never see her, even in rec leagues, calling any age without a chest protector these days.

As for the idiots who continually go out on the field without the proper equipment, I have no sympathy for them either. My belief is, if you own it, wear it. It isn't doing anyone any good sitting in your gear bag.

I work both baseball and softball. Having spent several hundred dollars on gear, I WEAR ALL OF IT, ALWAYS.

But less I mislead you, I don't wear it because I spent the money on it. I wear it because I don't want to get hurt. Despite what anybody might say, that ball is not under control. There is someone between me and the pitcher swinging at it and changing it's direction. High school pitchers are completely capable of breaking collar bones, wrists etc. My 10 year-old could probably break something on me with a baseball. I wear my gear. I shake my head at those idiots that don't, and never fail to tell them the obvious mistake they are making.

I don't play Russian Roulette and I feel naked when riding in someone's car if the seatbelts don't work.

For anybody that needs to listen: buy good gear and wear it. :)

I realize that I'm preaching to the choir here but I ALWAYS wear my gear. I did U10 once and got pounded by softballs. I'll do college and not get hit at all. The day after I bought my first pair of plate shoes I was doing men's fastpitch and the catcher stepped back with his steel cleats and put a gouge in my shoe. If I would have had regular shoes I think my toe would have been gone.

I ALWAYS up grade my gear every year...still havent bought plate shows, but I bought the good leg guards with the side and top flats...Will never understand the thinking behind not even wearing a CUP!!! As the late Bernie Berman alway stold us: "If ya dont wear a cup-YOURE NUTS!"