Another Throat Guard Post

[Thunderheads]

Watching the Tigers-Rangers game last night, and John Hirschbeck was on the plate and I noticed something that I'd been thinking about. He's got a throat guard, but, he places it above the extention on the bottom rung holding the bottom padding. Make sense when you think about it, really ....yes ??

http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/2z7daLDXo9k/New+York+Yankees+v+Arizona+Diamondbacks/mDBffzk1zKw/John+Hirschbeck

And, here,is a modified picture so it's more clear as to the placement ......not the best drawing, but it just clarifies the placement...

Edited July 20, 2010 by Thunderheads

[slo8140]

I wear an HSM, but my throat guard on my standard mask is positioned the way that John Hirschbeck's was last night. It gives me enough length without making it annoyingly long.

While he might have looked good last night, his strike zone was not good. Plus it seemed that before he ejected Washington early in the game that He (John Hirschbeck) was yelling from behind the plate at the Ranger's dugout. I never like it when an umpire incites an argument...especially when Wash had a pretty good point. I am a Ranger fan, but it really seemed that he was giving the Tigers the corners and not the Rangers. A long game, but I am glad that we won it. Detroit has been a bad place for the Rangers to play the last couple of years.

[Thunderheads]

I wear an HSM, but my throat guard on my standard mask is positioned the way that John Hirschbeck's was last night. It gives me enough length without making it annoyingly long.

Well, that, and the fact that hanging it from that location does make sense as it would rest against the CP more and not have as much chance to 'fold up' toward your neck as it would if hanging from the extention.....

While he might have looked good last night, his strike zone was not good. Plus it seemed that before he ejected Washington early in the game that He (John Hirschbeck) was yelling from behind the plate at the Ranger's dugout. I never like it when an umpire incites an argument...especially when Wash had a pretty good point. I am a Ranger fan, but it really seemed that he was giving the Tigers the corners and not the Rangers. A long game, but I am glad that we won it. Detroit has been a bad place for the Rangers to play the last couple of years.

Didn't give the Rangers the corner?? Did you see the call on the last pitch of the game ?? WOW!

Also .... What was Washington complaining about. 1. Ordonez didnt' swing,... 2. He asked for help on the check, and HW called 'no swing' ...what's to argue?B)

[Umpire in Chief]

I don't wear my throat guard from my extension. I can't remember why but initially as a rookie I did and a knowledgable veteran suggested I move it and gave a legitimate reason. Since then I've worn it behind the extension. I've had a couple of hits and it hits my CP w/o slinging into my throat.

I think that the extra distance given by the extension my make it possible for it to sling and hit your throat.

[Thunderheads]

I don't wear my throat guard from my extension. I can't remember why but initially as a rookie I did and a knowledgable veteran suggested I move it and gave a legitimate reason. Since then I've worn it behind the extension. I've had a couple of hits and it hits my CP w/o slinging into my throat.

I think that the extra distance given by the extension my make it possible for it to sling and hit your throat.

I saw JH's t-g, and I said to myself, ..."now, why would he ....DING!" The light went on....and then I thought...THAT makes a lot of sense actually! It would sit 'more plumb' to the CP because of the gap difference, and you could almost get away with a shorter one, but again, it does depend on your stance:nod:

[slo8140]

Didn't give the Rangers the corner?? Did you see the call on the last pitch of the game ?? WOW!

Also .... What was Washington complaining about. 1. Ordonez didnt' swing,... 2. He asked for help on the check, and HW called 'no swing' ...what's to argue?

I think the chatter from the dugout was about pitches he thought JH had missed, not the actual pitch that had just occurred.

The last pitch of the game was one of the few that went our way, but several times (at least according to the K-zone thing) he called low outside corner pitches strikes when the Rangers were batting and typically balled them on the Tigers.

We all have bad nights. He is a good umpire...it was just a frustrating game to watch...as a fan of both the Rangers and the Umpires.

[TBrown]

The last pitch of the game was one of the few that went our way, but several times (at least according to the K-zone thing) he called low outside corner pitches strikes when the Rangers were batting and typically balled them on the Tigers.

I have yet to see K-zone be accurate.

[kylejt]

I've been wearing my throat protector like this for years. I works great for me, and has save me a total of 5-6 shots over the years, twice in one Juniors game this season. It's compact and effective. I can't imagine why I wouldn't wear one, nor do I wish to imagine what would have happen if I hadn't been.

[Thunderheads]

I've been wearing my throat protector like this for years. I works great for me, and has save me a total of 5-6 shots over the years, twice in one Juniors game this season. It's compact and effective. I can't imagine why I wouldn't wear one, nor do I wish to imagine what would have happen if I hadn't been.

Hey Kyle, got a picture you can share ?!:ranton:

[Umpire in Chief]

Here's a little picture from my cell showing how mine is attached.

[kylejt]

Hey Kyle, got a picture you can share ?!

Nope, but mine is kinda like Warren's, only with less dangle. I've got about an inch of slack. (insert your joke here).

Here a picture of a rig that looks like my placement, although mine might even me a bit higher.

Again, check your stance, with your current gear in place, THEN see where you need to place it. Heck, if you're built like a fire hydrant, and have no neck, you may not need one at all.

Note: See where the protector might contact the bottom rung of the mask, and "CLACK" against it? I place small rubber bumper on my guard to prevent that noise.

Edited July 21, 2010 by kylejt

[Kevin Finnerty]

All right, all right, all right, we get it! it's a Wilson!

...

[Guest]

All right, all right, all right, we get it! it's a Wilson!...

Hey man, that's nothing....you should see mine!

[kcfan102]

You don't even want to count the Ws on my gear.

[Kevin Finnerty]

:question1: ... :D

[Guest]

You don't even want to count the Ws on my gear.

We should have a contest, sponsored by Wilson.

Winner gets a sponsorship contract.

[kcfan102]

We should have a contest, sponsored by Wilson.

Winner gets a sponsorship contract.

I'm game.

[Thunderheads]

I'd definately lose that one .........there's not a W anywhere to be found on me!:cheers:

[Kevin Finnerty]

Geez, I never thought about it that way. :cheers:

[slo8140]

Anyone ever figure out a place to buy one of the throat guards that a lot of the MLB guys wear that looks to be made of metal like the mask?

[kylejt]

Anyone ever figure out a place to buy one of the throat guards that a lot of the MLB guys wear that looks to be made of metal like the mask?

Yes, Japan.

They are made by Mizuno, and not sold in this country.

Why, aside from wanting to look like an MLB umpire, would you want one of these contraptions? They're heavy, and only work well with the throat guardless Mizuno masks. I've had one of these rigs in my hand, and trust me, they're nothing special.

Now, if you want to really MLB cool, crack open the piggy bank and bid on this:

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?campid=5336527734&customid=&toolid=10004&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2FeBayISAPI.dll%3FViewItem%26item%3D220639446923%09

[slo8140]

Did not mean to offend. Was merely curious about the item. Seen it on the field and thought it might be worth a shot. I am sure we all have stuff in our bags that we think we might like, but in the end don't

Have never personally held, or seen one besides tv so I was curious.

Way too much money for a titanium mask. Are they really that much better than the Wilson's and All-Star rigs? I do like the look, but not paying that much.

[kylejt]

No worries.

I really like my silver Diamond mask. I changed out the worthless pads for standard WV ones, and it's great. Light, strong, and good looking(IMO).

The only downside I've found is the rough surface. It doesn't bother me, but it's killed a couple of baseballs. On one, it actually tore four stitches out of it after it clonked my on the chin. The frame was fine, with only a red mark on it. But I might mail it to Jim Evens, because it truly defined a dead ball.

I'm waiting for what's up the sleeve of All Star. Same with my next chest protector.

[fitzy14]

I'm waiting for what's up the sleeve of All Star. Same with my next chest protector.

Not a bad idea. If the new stuff is as good as the new system 7 mask it should be really nice.

[Kevin Finnerty]

... I'm waiting for what's up the sleeve of All Star. Same with my next chest protector.

It would need to be something very special to protect better than the Gold.