Get a throat protector

[Tyennie]

If you don't have one. Took a foul shot to the mask, chin level today, luckily the throat protector was there. Rocked my world for a couple of minutes. :smachhead:

[tommy]

think about it guys, would you work a game with out a cup ? If you take one off the boys it will hurt but it wont kill ya. take a foul ball off the bat straight to the throat without wearing a throat gard and I hope your life ins. is paid up.... If you dont wear a throat guard atleast please give it some serious thought.

[ehawkins1]

Mask: $89 - $120

Throat guard: $5 - $10

Your life: Priceless

We spend all this money on the best equipment, spend the extra $5 - $10 and get a throat guard.

[JaxRolo]

Mask: $89 - $120

Throat guard: $5 - $10

Your life: Priceless

We spend all this money on the best equipment, spend the extra $5 - $10 and get a throat guard.

+1 Got to have it.

Havent taken a shot there yet. (Knock on Wood) but have seen someone take one and even we a protector I thought we might have to call rescue.

[Thunderheads]

Guys, I hate these, but ya know what....I DO think about it and always make sure when I 'look down' my mask hits my CP!

So, would I be good w/ a shorter one? Are there 'specs' you should consider?

I know I remember a drawn out thread, but can't find it now:banghead:

FOUND IT GUYS....got it ....it's ...."over-there" :fuel:

Edited June 21, 2010 by Thunderheads

[kcfan102]

I'm one of those people who hate throat guards. I hate them with a passion. They dangle, they look bad, and they can be inconvenient at times.

But I learned at a very youn age just how important they can be. I got hit directly in the guard when I was 15. Scared the hell out of me. I won't take a field without one.

But not everybody needs one.

[semper_fi_72]

When I received a new Diamond Feather Weight on a Friday, I failed to move the throat guard from my old mask to it before I went out to work games on Saturday.

Yes, I took one to the throat and went down hard.

Won't ever catch me without one again.

[Mike Prince]

I know some guys who don't think they need a cup behind the plate either. One shot is all it takes. I have worn a throat protector this year since taking a bounced pitch to the throat. Do I "like" it? No, sometimes when I look up to follow a hit ball it will snag in my CP when I bring my head back down/around. But I'm glad I have it every game I call.

[JaxRolo]

I know some guys who don't think they need a cup behind the plate either. One shot is all it takes. I have worn a throat protector this year since taking a bounced pitch to the throat. Do I "like" it? No, sometimes when I look up to follow a hit ball it will snag in my CP when I bring my head back down/around. But I'm glad I have it every game I call.

That is just Crazy :WTF

[noumpere]

No, sometimes when I look up to follow a hit ball it will snag in my CP when I bring my head back down/around.

Your mask should be off as / before you look at the hit ball. And, unless fair/foul or the home-run fence is involved, you don't really need to be following the ball.

[TBrown]

I have always worn one and this season alone I took two off the throat guard that were hard enough to unbuckle one of the straps that holds it to the mask. In another game this season that I was in the field for, my friend was working the plate and took one off the throat guard that unbuckled the straps also.

[boyinr]

I'm one of those people who hate throat guards. I hate them with a passion. They dangle, they look bad, and they can be inconvenient at times.

Agree with all of those points. A lot of people used to say that about seat belts too. The simple and undeniable fact is you stand a much better chance with one than without one.

I didn't wear one for the first few years and now I do. I made the same link between the cup and the throat protector on my own. The difference is you will likely get a chance to learn about needing to wear a cup. A crushed throat is not necessarily a learning opportunity or as recoverable.

I spent $$$$ upgrading all of my gear to pro gear and figured that stopping $7short was not a wise decision. I did one game this season without one and I was distracted. I now have one on each of my masks.

[buddywilshire]

In one league I used to do got a odd email last year with the subject "Make sure you are properly equipment" The email went on to say how all Umps need to make sure they have proper equipment from top to bottom. The next time I umped I asked one of the other guys what that was about. Apparently another ump took the field without a cup and took one right off the, umm how do you say, underside and busted a nut. Out for the rest of the season.

I also got an updated mask, made sure to get the throat guard. I don't want to take one off of my throat.

[txump81]

I took one under the cup in a game this year. Not only make sure you have a cup, but make sure no matter how you move, it stays where it is supposed to.

Nothing too severe, just a little grunt and hands on knees for the next pitch. It did make me a little gunshy the rest of the game. BTW, it was LL Minors, so catching is not a strong point.

[MCLEOD36]

The other thing I will add is; get the 6 inch one, the 4 inch one actually can snap off/bend back and slice you a bit in the throat if jostled around. I have been using the wilson 6'' one for years and wearing a bucket yes sometimes gets cumbersome, but well worth it.... I have been hit 5 times in the neck area and in all times, even with bucket (aka hockey mask) they protected everything.

[kylejt]

Not everyone needs a dangling throat protector. Depending on you size, build, stature and plate stance, you could indeed have no need for one.

Drop into your stance, and have someone take a picture of you from the side. Look for a gap a ball could get through.

Me, I'm tall and gangely. I need one. I mount mine on the inboard rung, close to my neck.

I've been cracked there 5 times over the last ten years. Twice this year, including a Juniors shot that might have killed me.

[JaxRolo]

Not everyone needs a dangling throat protector. Depending on you size, build, stature and plate stance, you could indeed have no need for one.

I respect your opinion but I have to completely disagree.

Why take a chance?

I don't care how you are built or stance or whatever. The Ball will find a way to get in there at some point or another?

CP - $100

Throat Protector- $7.00

Your Throat - Priceless

Taking a chance - Stupid!

[kylejt]

I respect your opinion but I have to completely disagree.

That's cool. But I know a guy who's built like a human fire hydrant. Low, and close to the ground. Plus, he's got no neck to speak of. When he locks in, there no gap between his mask and chest protector. None.

For the rest of us, yeah, roll with one.