Throat Protector

[boyinr]

After upgrading all of my plate gear this winter I also decided to install throat guards (TG) on all of my masks. I had never worn one before and didn't really see the need. I always thought that the mask extention would protect me well enough. I wore one this season because I thought why take chances after reading some posts on some of the boards and I got a great deal on ebay ($4.95 ea). I went all spring and summer without anything coming near the dangler. It seemed somewhat of a useless accessory. I seriously thought about taking the TGs off after the fall ball season and not wearing them next season.

I wore a new mask for todays game (14U) and at the last minute decided to install a TG on that mask. I am ever glad I did. In the first inning I took a shot to the throat guard that was hard enough to break the nylon zip tie. The home coach gave me a piece of shoe lace and I tied it on. Over the course of the game I took two more shots that were deflected by the dangler. Maybe it was the fact there was a new pitcher (50-70 mph) and catcher (4'-6') every other inning, maybe I was off in my positioning or maybe just bad luck. I don't know.

This is the best $/value that I have spent on protective gear. I am now a believer and I won't get behind the plate again without one on. A crushed throat is a serious trauma that makes other injuries that we spend $$$ to eliminate or lessen (plate shoes and hard shell cp come to mind) pale in comparision.

Edited October 4, 2010 by boyinr

[kylejt]

I mount mine on the inner rung, close to my chest protector. In my stance, it closes the gap. Five times in ten years I've gotten "clacked", twice this year in Juniors games, 15u. Those two this year would have sent me to the hospital, fo' sure.

I place a small rubber bumper on the protector, where it meets the frame, so it doesn't rattle against it. I like velcro straps to secure them.

Edited October 8, 2010 by kylejt

[JaxRolo]

This is the best $/value that I have spent on protective gear. I am now a believer and I won't get behind the plate again without one on. A crushed throat is a serious trauma that makes other injuries that we spend $$$ to eliminate or lessen (plate shoes and hard shell cp come to mind) pale in comparision.

Amen to that!!! Those that say that if you position yourself properly you will never get hit on the throat are Full of Sh...!!! :shakehead:

[noumpere]

I wouldn't think that would be low enough to provide sufficient protection. Maybe (probably) I'm wrong.

If I mounted mine on that rung, then I'd let it hang down so the top of the throat guard was at the bottom of the mask. Thus, all 4" (or whatever) of the throat protector can deflect the baseball. The way the picture looks, only about 1" can work.

[Thunderheads]

Having a custom one made ,...kind of like Campos is wearing ....but it'll match the All-Star lines of my rig

When it's finished, I'll post ....

I also like the placement on the inner rung closer to your CP, just makes sense to close that gap.

I noticed H.Wendelstedt was wearing it the other night ..(Campos version) ...

[kylejt]

I wouldn't think that would be low enough to provide sufficient protection. Maybe (probably) I'm wrong.

It really depends on your stance, size and gear combination. With me, that throat protector rests on that big pad on my Platinum (I've got a pretty upright stance, as I drop straight down). Seeing the most frames jut out at the bottom, the inside rung works better for me for sealing up that gap.

[Thunderheads]

What doesn't make sense is the VIEW or ANGLE of the picture, as it's deceiving.

What you need to realize is the gap between the bottom of the throat protector on the mask and the attachment. There's about a 3 or 4" horizontal gap there, so that's why the inner rung (as Kyle's showing) works ...

Hey Kyle, a side shot of it all hanging free may help! :banghead:

[boyinr]

I think that on some mask designs this method of attachment may work better than it will on others. On the Wilson frame the chin extention protrudes out as far as the face bars. On the Honigs and All Star frames the chin extention is about an inch or two shallower than the face bars. Both masks seem to about the same depth. When I did a test fit on the All Star the TP seemed to get hung up in the CP. The fact that it was a Platinum with the pad may have had something to do with it.

This vendor sends them for $5.74 including shipping. I did not use the velcro connectors that it came with. I used zip ties or nylon cord.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Catchers-throat-protector-factory-packaging-NEW-/300412823734?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45f1ffe8b6

Edited October 9, 2010 by boyinr

[kylejt]

Which begs the mantra. Your gear, your stance, your build.

I know guys who are build like fire hydrants. No necks, and barrel chested. They don't need throat protectors at all. Then there are bean poles that like to leeeeeeean way over their toes. No protector on Earth can save them.

So drop into your stance, and have someone take a picture of you from the side. See if one can work for you, and how it should be positioned.

[kcfan102]

Which begs the mantra. Your gear, your stance, your build.

I know guys who are build like fire hydrants. No necks, and barrel chested. They don't need throat protectors at all. Then there are bean poles that like to leeeeeeean way over their toes. No protector on Earth can save them.

So drop into your stance, and have someone take a picture of you from the side. See if one can work for you, and how it should be positioned.

Ta da! There you have it folks. Me personally, I won't get behind the plate without a throat guard, but I have a long neck that needs protecting.

But what Kyle said is right on the money.

[JaxRolo]

Which begs the mantra. Your gear, your stance, your build.

I know guys who are build like fire hydrants. No necks, and barrel chested. They don't need throat protectors at all. Then there are bean poles that like to leeeeeeean way over their toes. No protector on Earth can save them.

So drop into your stance, and have someone take a picture of you from the side. See if one can work for you, and how it should be positioned.

I respect your opinion but I respectfully disagree.

I know one of these fire hydrants that the ball found their neck anyway. Why take a chance?

Its not like its a $100 investment.

$5.00 put it on and forget about.

[D62 blue]

I respect your opinion but I respectfully disagree.

I know one of these fire hydrants that the ball found their neck anyway. Why take a chance?

Its not like its a $100 investment.

$5.00 put it on and forget about.

i agree, for the very small cost , a TG is worth it !! last season on two seperate ocassions , a foul ball point blank from bat straight to my TG , both times the impact was so bad the TG was either partially torn off or altogether torn from the mask , along with the mask !! dont know what would have happened without it ??

d62 marc

[jjb]

Just for the hell of it, I adjusted my TP up, as in the photo. I didn't see a while lot of differerence, but I took a minor shot to the throat the day before, and thought it might be worth the effort. Stay Tuned...