Jump to content
Umpire-Empire locks topics which have not been active in the last year. The thread you are viewing hasn't been active in 475 days so you will not be able to post. We do recommend you starting a new topic to find out what's new in the world of umpiring.

Recommended Posts

Posted
8 hours ago, SeeingEyeDog said:

I think the key with the raft is to wear it like our brother in @bluetick48's post. Hell, maybe that's you yourself, Tick...

If you "Captain America" it and try to grip both straps in the left hand, it's going to wear out and tear up your hand. Loosen the straps, get them over both shoulders and go from there.

~Dawg

@SeeingEyeDog, indeed it is me in the video and photos. I’ve been using “the balloon” for 25+ years, so I consider myself somewhat skilled in this area of using it lol. 

  • Like 3
Posted
8 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

I'm curious about the umpiring culture there ... why has this held on?  Not dissing it; I'm legitimately curious!

It hasn’t held honestly. I moved from Mississippi to Alabama about 10 years ago and I haven’t seen anyone use one (except me) since I’ve been here. In Northeast MS that’s all “most” guys use in the summer.
 I don’t use it doing college games for obvious reasons, but I started using it in high school ball over in AL around 2018/2019ish. I don’t work much summer ball now, but if I can’t wear a dri-fit on the plate and bases and use the balloon, then I’m not working at all. 

  • Like 1
Posted

Interesting … I was in Mississippi for a few years (Jackson area) and never saw anybody with it.  I even took mine to a few tournaments, but like I said, I never actually used it, and nobody mentioned seeing them used.

 

Cool!

Posted

image.jpeg.99273fcff9eb7ef330a65388aadcd10d.jpeg

Dead serious. It’s on my list of “Things to Develop”. 

If done right, can you, too, see it revolutionizing youth baseball like I can? Associations would own (most) of them, and they’d be issued to games, not umpires. New(er) umpires wouldn’t have to outlay the daunting costs of CPs, shins, plate shoes, personal protectors, plate pants, plate-specific shirts, etc. Changeover of roles (BU → PU) would be shorter. 

I’ll concede – I don’t see this on 60-90 baseball, but on 50-70 or 46-60? Oh heck yes! 

  • Like 2
Posted
10 minutes ago, MadMax said:

image.jpeg.99273fcff9eb7ef330a65388aadcd10d.jpeg

Dead serious. It’s on my list of “Things to Develop”. 

If done right, can you, too, see it revolutionizing youth baseball like I can? Associations would own (most) of them, and they’d be issued to games, not umpires. New(er) umpires wouldn’t have to outlay the daunting costs of CPs, shins, plate shoes, personal protectors, plate pants, plate-specific shirts, etc. Changeover of roles (BU → PU) would be shorter. 

I’ll concede – I don’t see this on 60-90 baseball, but on 50-70 or 46-60? Oh heck yes! 

giphy.gif

  • Haha 1
Posted

I wear one in summer/off season ball and quite often in regular season youth games. I don't use it during regular season HS ball.

The trick? You need to tighten the arm straps so that the protector stays basically in place. In this manner, I can do the GD stance (in the slot) and the friction between the straps and the balloon rubbing against my arms keeps the protector tight up to my chin. When the ball is hit, the protector just stays in place leaving my hands free. The only change really is my strike call has to come out a little farther to get around the raft.

Let's face it. We call got into this gig for the umpire groupies, and they absolutely love the retro look of the balloon. 

 

  • Like 2
Posted

UmpShow, bay-bee!  😋  Look at me!!  😉

 

Taking Max's idea a step further, we could get our own "ABS" system by painting a square on the see-though shield ... All those millions of dollars wasted in MLB when all they needed was a little plexiglass and a $1 tub of acrylic paint from the dollar store.

  • Haha 2
  • 2 months later...
Posted

Little League Fall Ball—where everyone and their little brother (or sister) gets a shot at playing catcher—the balloon chest protector is a beautiful thing. Beautiful.

Simply beautiful. 

Posted

This outside chest protector maybe effective, but TO ME, an inside and traditional chest protector like a Gold, Riddell, Adams, champion and so many more look more professional and sharp. In my opinion how you look when you walk on the field is SO important, I believe it is the best way to gain or demand respect when you walk on that field. If you look sharp you are less likely to get in a heated argument with a coach and you should want to look good and represent your association and most of all you profession well. Walk on that field with confidence, sharpness, and a goal for PERFECTION! That is my opinion, go out there lookin SHARP! Happy Umpiring!!!

  • Like 1
×
×
  • Create New...