Here are the oddest I've seen this year in top #3 style just for fun:
#3 Hang Em' High Throat GuardDoug Eddings Throat Guard Placement
Ok, there's got to be a reason he wears his 6" throat guard over the lower part of his mask to where only a few inches stick out. I'm brainstorming. a) He is a sales rep for Wilson and wants a bigger logo showing than the one that shows on the padding, b) He had a chin injury and simply wanted another layer of protection or c) It was a windy day, and he was tired of of his dangler flapping around. Ok, these are no good. Your suggestions are welcomed.
#2 -
The Darth Vader HelmetGary Cederstrom's Shock FX Umpire Helmet with Plexiglas Hockey Throat Guard
Thanks to BrianC14 for his post at umpire.org regarding this. The throat guard shown is one actually worn by hockey goalies, and it does provide a great deal of coverage by wrapping around underneath the helmet. Remember some said Kerwin Danley was hit in the neck, and this is what rendered him unconscious.
When I see Gary, though, I can't help but think of Star Wars. Wouldn't you love to see Darth Vader calling balls and strikes?
#1 - Bartender's Choice Umpire MaskBrian O' Nora's Tan Over Black Combo Padding
I have a feeling Mr. Nora is a fan of the "Black and Tan" which is a beer combining half Harp's (tan) and half Guinness (black). If so, he has his colors reversed. The Guinness is the one that rises to the top creating the nice striped visual effect in a glass or mug. While I recommend you try a black and tan at your favorite bar or pub, I wouldn't recommend this fashion statement on the diamond unless you really just want to call attention to yourself.
Please drink and umpire responsibly.
9 comments:
i understand why the second guy wears the hockey throat guard i have been hit in the neck area wearing my wilson helmetand then that night i seen him doing a rockies game while i was thinking the same idea
I'd welcome some ingenuity that would extend the lower protection of my mask. A throat guard is a little narrow and this year I took a ball to the clavicle that wedged below my mask and above my chest protector.
I think that Maybe Brian O'Nora needs to quit messing around with the padding on his mask and get a hockey style mask before he takes another shot to the back of the head with a broken maple bat... geez that had to hurt. But these are certainly interesting ways for the umpires to customize their mask... haha.
good fun.
keep it coming!
John M.
Hillsborough, NJ
Tonight I was watching ESPN highlights of the Tigers game and I noticed that the plate umpire had his mask pads the same way as MLB Umpire Brian O'Nora. The umpire was Jerry Layne and I have to say that the setup looked a bit more natural on his mask because he uses a black frame rather than the silver one. Here's a picture of yet another umpire getting creative with their mask:
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Gallery/PreviousPhotos/2005/10/26/WORLDSERIES6.jpg
I added the hockey throat guard to my diamond edge. I had a ball bounce up that came under the throat guard before I added it. The only thing I don't like is running with it on and listening to it clank. I have a mark on the throat guard where I was hit by a ball that was below the mask and to the side of the extension that is on it.
jason wenzel
wenzelj64@hotmail.com
Great post - I've noticed all three of these masks before as well. Gary Cedarstrom started wearing the throat protector after Danley got hit with the pitch.
Does anyone know what type of mask Brian O'Nora is wearing these days? I can't tell if it is the Wilson Titanium or the Nike Titanium. Many of the MLB umps are wearing that mask, whatever it is these days (Joe West, Mike Reilly, Scott Barry, Jim Joyce, Jeff Kellogg, Tim Timmons etc)
Jon
Jon, I'm pretty sure it's the Nike titanium mask. The Wilson mask has the same profile as the Chrome Mobilen (which I wear). And you can tell by looking at the mask that O'Nora is wearing that the profile is too thick to be the Wislon titanium.
Jim (or anyone), what brand and model of throat protector does Fieldin Culbreth wear. It looks good and I want one!
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