Helmet or Not?

[SnareDrum]

About 4 years ago as the BU in a 14U, I was my usual B spot with a runner on. The batter hit what is still, to me, the hardest, fastest line drive I've ever seen (off a fastball pitcher w/ a now illegal composite bat) right at my head. I leaned and ducked right, but the ball said, "Target acquired!" and actually started to curve. The round cruise missle grazed my head just behind my right ear and the stars came out. In the static, I heard my partner call the dead ball, as I sat there taking inventory. I got left with a lump and a slight headache for a day or two, but I was OK. My chief in the stands and my partner both agreed that the ball had it in for me and when that happens, you just get drilled an move on. I didn't become gun shy, but it got me thinking... especially after that minor league coach got killed and MLB mandated coaches helmets.

Last night, I had at least 5 near misses in the same game and it got me thinking again, especially with all of the new emphasis at all levels of all sports regarding head injuries... I'm considering buying a helmet (saw a couple of nice ones on the web) for use when I'm the BU, especially with the upper ages & HS. But, so far, it looks like I might be the only umpire on the planet wearing one.

So... have you tried one or have you considered it? And do you know of any other umpires that are using one? Have any associations or leagues thought about mandating helmets for coaches and/or umpires? And flashing back to a little of the pants thread, would you look down your nose at an umpire wearing a helmet, and do you think a state association or league would say, "No helmet for Blue!"?

One side of me says "Better safe than sorry and Better live than dead!", while the other side says, "C'mon Blue, MAN UP!" Right now, I'm leaning towards at least giving it a try, or of course wait for another ball with a grudge to find me.

(BTW, that line drive was only the second time in 26 years that I've been hit as a BU in fair territory and only the 5th time overall, so it's not because I'm lazy or slow, and the first time ever in the head. It just got me thinking...)

[gatoremt]

I have wondered how long it will be before we have to start wearing them in the field. If they are making base coaches wear one. I think it is around the corner. That is the main reason that I switch to HMS.

[kylejt]

That is the main reason that I switch to HMS.

On the bases? That must be quite a sight.

[hckyosgood30]

have you tried the hat insert? i know guys who wear them on the plate and occasionally on the bases. I've thought that we'd come to this in a few years. Just one well timed hit on a televised game, or heaven forbid a fatal one in a non. These unfortunately are what is needed to bring change. But if you want to be protected I say its your body. I'd personally try the insert first before the helmet.

[yawetag]

And flashing back to a little of the pants thread, would you look down your nose at an umpire wearing a helmet, and do you think a state association or league would say, "No helmet for Blue!"?

It might look silly, but I wouldn't begrudge an umpire for wanting to do it. I don't work with an umpire who considers the baseball diamond his primary job, and most have a family to go to at the end of the day. Anything that makes him feel safe and do his job comfortably is fine with me.

[txump81]

To heck with what the others think. If it makes you more comfortable and protects you, go for it. I personally wear a mouthpiece and safety glasses behind the plate. At first I was like you in thinking it would look bad, etc, etc. Then I got to thinking, "Who is going to have to pay to fix my teeth or my eyes?" ME. Like was mentioned above, umpiring is not my primary job. I may never have a situation that the mouthpiece or safety glasses make a difference, but the one time they are needed and not worn, could have dire consequences. You wear shinguards and a mask behind the plate, how many times do you really get hit?

Off the safety soapbox now...If you found a couple that you like and look decent, I don't think anyone will say anything. And if you purchase a helmet and wear it, you will probably never have another one come close.

[boyinr]

All-Star Sports makes and sells a helmet for umpires. They call it the Welke Cap. I have never seen one or seen anyone with one. I am sure that someone (Brad Jurga?) here knows the history behind this. Here is the link to the site.

http://www.all-starsports.com/products.php?prod=472

[Thunderheads]

Isn't it Wilson that has a helmet for umpires, .... didn't Jim Kirk have it on their site a while back?

[Umpire in Chief]

Isn't it Wilson that has a helmet for umpires, .... didn't Jim Kirk have it on their site a while back?

Ump-Attire.com does carry them http://www.ump-attire.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=A3121&Category_Code=BSC&Product_Count=0

I wouldn't have any issue with an umpire wearing one. I actually work with a guy who also referees hockey and after being hit in the back of the head on a throw (yes a horrible mechanics faux pas) he now wears a hockey helmet on the bases.

I have wondered how long it will be before we have to start wearing them in the field. If they are making base coaches wear one. I think it is around the corner. That is the main reason that I switch to HMS.

I too have thought FED would soon have us wearing helmets on the bases.

[sdix00]

I run a Little League umpire program with 12 Junior Umpires. I have seriously considered buying helmets. My ONLY reservation is that they are glossy finish. If they sell a matte finish helmet that looks just like a regular base cap from a distance, I am sold. I did send this recommendation to U-A. They can't be selling hardly any base helmets right now.

[JimKirk]

Isn't it Wilson that has a helmet for umpires, .... didn't Jim Kirk have it on their site a while back?

We have had our share of discussion on a base cap for umpires. Since we started offering what Wilson sells as a coach's cap for umpires, we have sold several dozen so yes some people wear them but it's a pretty small number. Interestingly enough, a high percentage have gone to Japan which they don't seem to have the hangups over it as those here in the U.S. do.

I began thinking of offering them after watching some hard line drives in a spring training game where the umpires were in a 3-man system and one umpire was standing behind the pitcher's mound and in light of the slow-pitch softball umpire who was killed a few years ago after standing behind the pitcher's mound by a line drive to the forehead. Therefore, my concern is more to the umpire who is closer to the plate rather than those you see deeper in a 4-man rotation or with no one on elsewhere.

The logic I have shared is that if you wear something on your head, why not a hard shell cap instead of a soft shell one? And some base umpires wear a cup on the bases so why not some head protection, too. But then again the hard shell coach's cap does not go far enough. to protect against injuries anywhere but the head just above the ears (no face, no lower side or neck...we had some discussion on this recently on a new protective prototype cap with players). Personally, if I still umpired, I would think I could get out of the way of anything but to each his own which is why we offer you the choice.

The Welke style one from All-Star is meant mainly as a cap with a shorter bill so you can wear one under a traditional mask behind the plate but sure there is no reason you can not wear on the bases.

Someone mentioned a hat liner that might provide some protection. Those were made to just keep your cap shaped while not in use, although some wear for the occasional foul ball that falls from the backstop, but those are just thin plastic so don't think that would do you much good for any line drive protection.

[amarillo]

I would wear something like this without the chin strap

[gatoremt]

That is the main reason that I switch to HMS.

On the bases? That must be quite a sight.

Really? Come on now. I hope you were trying to be funny?? Who in their right mind would wear a HMS on the bases. But if I must clarify I wear it behind the plate. :crazy:

[UmpJM]

... Personally, if I still umpired, I would think I could get out of the way of anything but to each his own .....

Jim, Well it's a darned good thing you DON'T.

Perhaps you have forgotten, in your absence from officiating, what a vindictive b!tch the Goddess of Baseball Karma can be!

You would have undoubtedly been severely concussed by a "SMOKED" hooking low line drive that had a laser lock on the bridge of your nose the very next game you were on the bases!

Why even I, myself, ever-mindful of the proper reverence with which to hold her, felt her wrath just the other day.

First game of a DH ends "mercifully" after 4/12 in about a buck twenty.

As I walk back to the parking lot for a brief respite, I think to myself, "Man, keeps going like this I might even be able to catch some of the first half of the first NCAA semi." I didn't say it TO anybody, didn't even say it out loud, and I sure as heck didn't post it on internet board where the whole world might see it. Just thought it "quietly" to myself. Sure enough, the second game goes TWO twenty. HT leaves the "mercy" run at 2B in the bottom of the 6th, and then proceeds to pitch to 8 of the other team's batters, with a pitching change, after two outs, in the top of 7. I'll let you imagine what exceptional baseball it was.

Sure, I got off "easy". Still, ....

Never provoke the Goddess.

JM

[JaxRolo]

I would wear something like this without the chin strap

[amarillo]

I would wear something like this without the chin strap

if it keeps my dome safe then everyone can kiss my buttocks

[JaxRolo]

I would wear something like this without the chin strap

if it keeps my dome safe then everyone can kiss my buttocks

Just messing with ya. I believe we should protect ourselves any way we want.

[hckyosgood30]

come on Jax! At least put on a reebok helmet to match the shoes man! j/k agreed do what you have to do to keep yourself safe.

[SinCityBlue]

I work HS ball and last year we had a kid get hit in the head off a line drive and it recessed his skull. The kid was ambulanced to the hospital where they had to remove part of his skull to allow his brain to swell. I just kicked a bat out of a game earlier today because it was an Easton composite, although we still allow BESR, next year we won't. The bats will have to be BBCOR certified non-composites.

As far as helmets for umpires, i went to Wendelstedt with a hockey mask because i was a big fan of Ed Hickox who was not only one of my instructors at school, but well known for wearing the hockey mask (with a hat on, i might add); And once i got home i wore the hockey mask for about 10 games before i went back to the regular mask. I got sick of yanking off that helmet.

[gatoremt]

Sin I hardly ever take mine off, unless there is a play at home. I also wear a binnie skull cap under mine b/c I am bald. It never bothers me when I pull it off.

[Umpire in Chief]

I actually work with a guy who also referees hockey and after being hit in the back of the head on a throw (yes a horrible mechanics faux pas) he now wears a hockey helmet on the bases.

I would wear something like this without the chin strap

This is what my friend wore. He even had the visor.

[gatoremt]

That would not be bad if it had some type of visor on it. I am sure it would be hot thou.

[kcfan102]

Sin I hardly ever take mine off, unless there is a play at home. I also wear a binnie skull cap under mine b/c I am bald. It never bothers me when I pull it off.

You run with your helmet on to the 45' line? Down to third base? Awarding bases on a dead ball? Conversation with a coach?

Just because an HSM is bigger, doesn't mean we can just keep them on. The same rules apply with an HSM that apply with a face mask.

Hand to mask, clear the catcher to the left.

[sdix00]

I actually work with a guy who also referees hockey and after being hit in the back of the head on a throw (yes a horrible mechanics faux pas) he now wears a hockey helmet on the bases.

I would wear something like this without the chin strap

This is what my friend wore. He even had the visor.

I may have some work to do on my mechanics, but I am not going to tell everyone about it by wearing the special helmet. I'll take the concussion and look good doing it.

Seriously, a matte finish skull cap should do the trick.

[SnareDrum]

I appreiciate all of the input. And of course, just last night in a 13U, my partner in the "C" got his forearm up just in time on a hard one hopper that was absolutely crushed on the screws off an old composite bat. It was heading right at his forehead and for a split second, the "smack" sounded just like a melon shot. Scared the living fecals out of me.... AND him. The bruise on his arm looks like a baseball is growing inside. He said he never had a chance to move.

Some on this thread, in one way or another, have mentioned that this may be a "what will it take?" kind of thing, while others are leaning "looks and fashion over safety". Right now, I'm leaning towards making the buy of a MLB base-coach style helmet. The only question is navy blue ( same color as hat) or basic black. The "finish" is pretty irrelevant (Never heard: "Hey blue! Can you make that runner on 2nd change his helmet?!"). If I do, I'll pass along my input.

Long ago, there were no shin guards, chest protectors, or face masks either... Honestly, I don't think it'll be that much longer before something horrible happens to one of us and eventually becomes part of an upper-level umpire's standard gear.