Outside chest protector

[afaber12]

Has anyone on here used an outside chest protector? Does anyone still use an outside chest protector?

 

I had a partner on Saturday who I've not worked with before, and I don't think I've seen actually call a game before that, and he used an outside chest protector. I also noticed that his mask had no cage below the chin padding, no throat guard of any kind, presumably to allow him to get as low in the protector as possible without exposing himself. I'd particularly like to know if anyone actively chooses to use the outside protector for any reason. It seems like it would be awkward to work with.

 

It surprised me quite a bit, because I'm pretty sure I've only seen one other umpire used that style before, and that guy was a classy traditionalist working the World Masters back in 2009, who completed the look with shirt, bow-tie, coat and white gloves.

[JaxRolo]

I believe @bigumpire is the master of balloons.

[BigUmpire]

I believe @bigumpire is the master of balloons.

I have never used one BUT if I don't lose some weight I will be accused of using an outside protector inside.

[catsbackr]

They work great in the summer if it is really hot!

[Richvee]

I've done some 9u rec games when I wished I had one. 

[JHSump]

I used one back when I was a teenage umpire, when it was mainstream.  I didn't think about it as being cumbersome, probably because I didn't have anything to compare it to.  Then, when I first used a inside protector --- wow!  What a difference.  So much easier to get a good look at the pitch, so much more mobility.  I've never used an outside protector since, at any level.  But if someone else wants to use one, who am I to say anything.  If that is their preference for certain situations, then that's their business.

[afaber12]

I used one back when I was a teenage umpire, when it was mainstream.  I didn't think about it as being cumbersome, probably because I didn't have anything to compare it to.  Then, when I first used a inside protector --- wow!  What a difference.  So much easier to get a good look at the pitch, so much more mobility.  I've never used an outside protector since, at any level.  But if someone else wants to use one, who am I to say anything.  If that is their preference for certain situations, then that's their business.

 

Oh definitely. It wasn't a "what a weirdo for using it" comment, more of a "its unusual to see it" comment.

 

He's more senior both in terms of experience in games and in age, so I just assumed that that was what he was used to, and had not had any problems with it so why change? I've only recently changed from using catcher's gear (chest and legs) to proper umpire's gear, and I'm still yet to get the hang of putting on the shirt over the top of the chest plate. Something keeps getting caught somewhere at one or both of the shoulders, usually in a way where its difficult to move my arms the way I need to untangle myself. I haven't taken one in the chest/shoulder/arm in the two games with it, but I'm more comfortable with the extra protection compared to the foam only catcher's gear.

[JHSump]

 

I used one back when I was a teenage umpire, when it was mainstream.  I didn't think about it as being cumbersome, probably because I didn't have anything to compare it to.  Then, when I first used a inside protector --- wow!  What a difference.  So much easier to get a good look at the pitch, so much more mobility.  I've never used an outside protector since, at any level.  But if someone else wants to use one, who am I to say anything.  If that is their preference for certain situations, then that's their business.

 

Oh definitely. It wasn't a "what a weirdo for using it" comment, more of a "its unusual to see it" comment.

 

I wasn't trying to say anything judgmental!  About you or the guy wearing the outside protector.  I agree it is unusual to see it.

 

And, yeah, it's tricky to pull a shirt over the typical inside protector.  Keep practicing!

[D62 blue]

I recently joined the balloon revolution (old school), i use it for lower level 10U and below . There are a handful in my HS unit who will use the balloon after the regular HS season is over for any level 18U all the way down to 9U . Including any summer/fall HS gms , especially if they are solo gms and its hot . I recently worked a HS varsity tourney , very good level of ball , i had a partner on (4) of the gms who used the balloon . There seems to be a trend in my area , the balloon revolution is slowly growing !!

 

Marc

[Dannytheman]

I had a guy, good umpire, who swore by the "raft" as he called it.  He wouldn't step behind the plate without it. He was good, so I didn't bust his balls about it, ever!

It made him comfortable and believe me I tried to convince him.

[JaxRolo]

If you are having problems putting on a shirt over an inside chest protector you may need a bigger size shirt.

[afaber12]

While I won't rule out the possibility completely, I don't think the shirt's too small; once I get it untangles its still a slightly loose fit. Though I can't be certain given I've not attempted to record myself putting the shirt on over the protector, and I can't turn my head far enough to see what's happening behind my shoulder from below, I'm pretty sure that some part of the shirt gets caught between the main body and the "joint cover" - the part that floats over the gap between the shell on top of the shoulder and the shell that's vertical on the upper arm.

 

There's been at least one time where I've almost turned into a dog chasing its own tail trying to reach to the tangle point trying to release it. Tip to new umpires: turning in circles trying to reach something behind your back within view of the players and/or coaches from the game you're about to do is unlikely to inspire confidence in them.

[JOHN3057]

I used it when I first started umpiring LL my freshman year of HS. It was normal to use it back then when you started out. After a year or 2 I put together a few shillings and bought my 1st inside protector from Models. It was a Rawlings model.

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[BigUmpire]

While I won't rule out the possibility completely, I don't think the shirt's too small; once I get it untangles its still a slightly loose fit. Though I can't be certain given I've not attempted to record myself putting the shirt on over the protector, and I can't turn my head far enough to see what's happening behind my shoulder from below, I'm pretty sure that some part of the shirt gets caught between the main body and the "joint cover" - the part that floats over the gap between the shell on top of the shoulder and the shell that's vertical on the upper arm.

There's been at least one time where I've almost turned into a dog chasing its own tail trying to reach to the tangle point trying to release it. Tip to new umpires: turning in circles trying to reach something behind your back within view of the players and/or coaches from the game you're about to do is unlikely to inspire confidence in them.

Post a video of this please.

[afaber12]

 

While I won't rule out the possibility completely, I don't think the shirt's too small; once I get it untangles its still a slightly loose fit. Though I can't be certain given I've not attempted to record myself putting the shirt on over the protector, and I can't turn my head far enough to see what's happening behind my shoulder from below, I'm pretty sure that some part of the shirt gets caught between the main body and the "joint cover" - the part that floats over the gap between the shell on top of the shoulder and the shell that's vertical on the upper arm.

There's been at least one time where I've almost turned into a dog chasing its own tail trying to reach to the tangle point trying to release it. Tip to new umpires: turning in circles trying to reach something behind your back within view of the players and/or coaches from the game you're about to do is unlikely to inspire confidence in them.

Post a video of this please.

 

Perhaps I should have stressed the "almost"! I'll own up to (some) stupidity on my part, but even I'm not dopey enough to do it, let alone allow it to be filmed, let alone broadcast it to the world.

 

I didn't take that many hits as a catcher... at least not that I can... Ah, I forgot the word! You know the one, the word for when you see in your head something that happened before...

[Typhoon]

Back when I started as a softball umpire all we used was a mask and a cup, no CP or shins. When I went to baseball it was a mask, balloon and a cup still no shins. Eventually as I got older (wiser) I went to an inside protector and bought an old pair of catchers shin guards for a $1 at a yard sale. They served me well for a few years. Now with my HSM, platinum, and high end shin guards I kind of look like Robocop out there. I wonder what protectve gear will be in use 50 years from now. Likely some form of force field.

 

Tony

[treydawgmt]

I have a few brands of shirts that are hard to put on.  I've occasionally put those shirts over my chest protector and then put the whole package on at once.  Makes it a lot easier!

[GerryB]

Like others I had one starting out...then had a rotation to 3rd, as I was running let it off my right shoulder holding the inside handle with my left hand...bam! I went right down as my feet got tangled in the right shoulder strap.

Made the call on my butt in front of the 3rd base dugout, to many laughs.

[maineump]

I too started as a teenager using one. It had the strap and pockets in the back for the baseballs (or whatever else you wanted to carry)..

We have one guy left on our board that still uses one. He loves the thing and REFUSES to wear an inside protector. I noticed that he sets up more behind the catcher and a little higher than we do wearing inside protectors.

He has a very unique strike call (very theatrical) and if teams or fans haven't seen him in a while he gets lots of chuckles because of it and the balloon.

As a catcher it was hard to work around a guy with the balloon, because they always seemed too close.

[Zulutex]

I switched to the balloon about three years ago to better protect my arms and torso..(I play piano}   Yes, it awkward to handle as designed with the straps...sooooo, I added bungee cords around the straps to form an arm-hold...like  an old-style Viking shield...and it works wonderfully...allows control with the one arm leaving the right arm free for calls and pulling off the facemask...Still work the slot and there is no problem seeing the full strike zone.....To each his own, of couse, but in the Vegas heat this is a blessing!!!

[johnnyg08]

Put your sleeves in last. That will help.

[noumpere]

I switched to the balloon about three years ago to better protect my arms and torso..(I play piano}   Yes, it awkward to handle as designed with the straps...sooooo, I added bungee cords around the straps to form an arm-hold...like  an old-style Viking shield...and it works wonderfully...allows control with the one arm leaving the right arm free for calls and pulling off the facemask...Still work the slot and there is no problem seeing the full strike zone.....To each his own, of couse, but in the Vegas heat this is a blessing!!!

If you use it right you wont have any problem tripping over the laces or removing the mask with the left hand or making your calls.  It can be a little harder to run with especially on a windy day.  But it is cooler and a lot more protection.