Within hours of receiving an e-mail from a fast-pitch softball umpire asking about where he could find a shin guard without knee protection, I saw Cincinnati Reds' shortstop Jeff Keppinger fracture his kneecap from a hit foul ball.
Story here | Video here
As an umpire, I know there are body parts that are often exposed such as arms, hands and thighs but in my opinion knees - that have no muscle or fat to lessen the blow - are not ones I'd suggest you'd expose unless you strongly trust your catcher and/or your stance in relation to him or her.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
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5 comments:
I wear the Wilson Platinum shin guards and have taken shots on the side of the knee and on top of the knee. I have had bruises from these shots even though they hit the pad. I can't imagine taking one of this without knee guards on.
As an umpire and certified athletic trainer, yes, you can easily fracture a patella (knee cap) while working the plate. As well as receive a nasty bone bruise if you are lucky enough not to fracture it by the hit. (The bruise itself can keep you out for a week or two. I love my Wilson Pro. Guards they are great I'd never dream on anything less.
Heres what I dont get...You can buy the Wilson Grey shin guards from Jim's site for about $70. Even being worn every day, they will at least last 5 years. How can somebody who umpires not be able to afford decent shin/leg protection and risk their health/livelihood wearing cheap soccer style shin guards? Just boggles my mind.
That's a realistic point. You might be surprised (then again, maybe not) to see umpires behind the plate wearing what appears to be a Minor Hockey chest protector designed for kid's. I have seen it. Thin little protection that would render you out of commission for the season if you took a good shot in the chest. I don't get it either: This site has many options at great prices and I don't understand why some guys take the gamble.
This summer a collegue of mine, wearing the +POS BB312, the entry level +POS shin guards, was hit by a pitch during a baseball game (players aged 14).
He got his knee cap broken and a two months stop.
Made awared of that, I looked better at my old ALL STAR LG20W, originally a catcher model.
They not only have never had a plate between leg and knee, but after several years, the foam under the knee plate moulded under it. So in this region there isn't any real shock absorber effect any more.
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