A word about throat guards...

[Paperipper17]

If you're on the fence about this piece of equipment or don't wear one, I strongly suggest you at least consider giving it a test run. After working the plate for two games on Saturday with my new Champion p200 CP (Which I absolutely love), I noticed that, as it stuck up farther in front than my Schutt, my throat guard got wedged against it every time I looked up and I'd come close to straining my neck before I figured out the problem. Also, if I snapped my head up quickly, the guard hit me in the throat, which became uncomfortable. So, that night, I spent about 30 minutes debating just removing it. My reasoning was, my mask has enough of a guard to protect me as long as I keep my chin down. I don't see many pro guys wearing them, and I'd say greater than half the guys in my association don't use them. I finally decided to stick it out a few more games, just to see if I could adjust.

Sunday, game two behind the plate. About the 3rd inning, pretty hard thrower on the mound, righty at bat. F1 throws one up and in, batter fouls it off. I do not know how this happened...my head was level with the batter's belly and not tilted at all. maybe it went off the mitt or something, I don't know, but it went full force into my throat guard, which wedged back against my CP and deflected the majority of the impact. Still, I spent the next 90 seconds with my hands on my knees trying to regain my composure...after another minute or so and a half a bottle of water I was fine, but would start to cough every time I tried to talk, which make for some interesting vocalizations the rest of the game. Even now, Monday night, there's still some swelling and irritation, I'm a little hoarse, and it hurts to swallow. I'm not going to go as far as to say that $3 piece of plastic All-Star sent me with my facemask saved my life, but I don't want to know what would have happened had I not been wearing it.

So, in closing, if you aren't a throat guard guy, please, please, please consider trying it out. Some guys don't like the look, maybe it annoys you the way it annoys me, or maybe you haven't even thought about it, but I know I'll never work a game without it.

[semper_fi_72]

If it is wedging against your CP change how you have it attached or switch to a shorter or longer throat protector.

It should hang freely and never become wedged when worn properly.

I won't work without one. I have taken that shot without one and was laid out on my back.

[JaxRolo]

I witnessed Paperripper's hit to the throat and I actually thought we may have to call 911. It really looked bad.

I did not wear my throat protector the day before but I put it on for that day's game and it will stay on.

Hey Paper how is the arm? :violin:

[Umpire in Chief]

I've taken that shot before with a throat guard. Had a foul which him my throat guard which the bottom slammed against my WV Gold making a loud noise then the throat guard still carried enough energy to hit my throat and it hurt like a SOB. I won't lie, my eyes watered and it took me a moment to finally catch my breath. The home team trainer and my partner were there before I really realized what had happened. I just stood there stunned for a moment. It took me a moment to shake off the nerves but I was able to and finished the game. My throat hurt for a couple of days afterword. Like Paperipper I don't think I would have died w/o it but I think I would have been in the ER with a crushed larynx.

[Paperipper17]

If it is wedging against your CP change how you have it attached or switch to a shorter or longer throat protector.

It should hang freely and never become wedged when worn properly.

I won't work without one. I have taken that shot without one and was laid out on my back.

Thanks for the advice, I just adjusted it and tried it on with my CP, and it doesn't wedge anymore. I gave it a little more length in the attachment and it no longer comes above the CP's neckline.

I witnessed Paperripper's hit to the throat and I actually thought we may have to call 911. It really looked bad.

I did not wear my throat protector the day before but I put it on for that day's game and it will stay on.

Hey Paper how is the arm?

the arm isn't bad. Not swollen at all and only slightly sore to the touch. That one hurt like hell when it hit me though, right on the bone. I gotta admit though, I thought we might have to make that call on the throat shot too. Not a fun moment lol

Edited April 13, 2010 by Paperipper17

[scobes7]

Thanks for the advice, I just adjusted it and tried it on with my CP, and it doesn't wedge anymore. I gave it a little more length in the attachment and it no longer comes above the CP's neckline.

the arm isn't bad. Not swollen at all and only slightly sore to the touch. That one hurt like hell when it hit me though, right on the bone. I gotta admit though, I thought we might have to make that call on the throat shot too. Not a fun moment lol

I have the same champion 200 CP and love it....I always wear a long throat guard on my mask and have never had it catch on my CP....did take a hit there so hard once that the force knocked the snaps open and it fell on the ground...thank God I had it on.

[carolinablue]

I've had mine hit so hard it came off and flew all the way over to the 3b dugout. I was fine but it took me awhile to figure out what had happened and I could here one of the players ( who just picked it up off the ground ) saying, " Where did that come from". I still see guys all the time getting back there without one: Not a good idea.

[Guest]

This subject has been debated on the ABUA forum as well:

There are two types of umpires - those who wear a throat guard, and those who don't think they need to wear one.

A properly fitted chest protector and mask with an extended throat guard can remove the need for a throat protector.

Personally, I do not wear one. But I am moving to a new CP for '10 and have ordered one for each mask in case the neck protection is not suitable for my liking. We shall see.

[JaxRolo]

A properly fitted chest protector and mask with an extended throat guard can remove the need for a throat protector.

May be true but after seeing what happened to Paperipper I will always have one on.

[DirtyDawg]

This subject has been debated on the ABUA forum as well:

There are two types of umpires - those who wear a throat guard, and those who don't think they need to wear one.

A properly fitted chest protector and mask with an extended throat guard can remove the need for a throat protector.

Personally, I do not wear one. But I am moving to a new CP for '10 and have ordered one for each mask in case the neck protection is not suitable for my liking. We shall see.

I thought you were going to tell us that there are two kinds of umpires - those that wear throat guards, and organ doners.

[Mike Prince]

I took a bounced 80mph pitch in the throat a couple of weeks ago, hurt like hell and it was hard to talk for an inning or so. I bought a throat guard for my Diamond mask the next day and it is there to stay. I have been hit in just about every place imaginable but this was the first time that it actually scared me.

[catoblue]

I have worn them since they started making them. Won't do a game without one.

[yawetag]

I have worn them since they started making them. Won't do a game without one.

:rollinglaugh:

[JonWessel]

I took a foul ball off the throat guard in a Palo game. The throat guard flew off and I sustained a minor cut. I can only imagine how bad it would have been if I wasn't wearing that throat guard.

[MCLEOD36]

I wear a catchers mask (aka bucket), and still wear a 6 inch one. Why, cause when I wore 4 inch ones, they tended to get caught when I was hit with balls. I have gotten hit 4 times in the neck area and they saved me all the time.... I like singing baritone, and not soprano.

[DirtyDawg]

Hell, you get crushed in the larynx, you won't have to worry about singing.........period!

[MCLEOD36]

mi mi mi mi mi miiiiiiiiii; Like going to the eye doctor last week. Doc goes my god, your eyes are getting better. I said was happening osmotically from all the parents/coaches saying I was going blind....

[Penguin]

I've always used the throat guard - but never been hit in that area. Soooooo, yesterday I read this thread. Last night I'm behind plate and batter fouls one off smack dead center into my throat guard. First time ever. Yes - it hurt and startled me but after about 20 - 30 seconds I was ready to go again. Thank heavens I wear one. BTW - my day job is that of a choral/vocal teacher.