The issue is not a pitched ball that comes in straight but a ball that bounces up, typically from one that hits the ground or is fouled into the ground and up through the gap that exists horizontally from the chest protector out to the mask frame (there shouldn't be a vertical gap).
Umpire throat protectors come in standard 4 inch and 6 inch lengths. Typically, they are placed on the bottommost part of the mask frame but I've seen variations as high as the third bottommost of the frame.
So which size is best and where is the best placement to hang it from on the mask? The answer is that it will depend on your mask as some extend farther down or out, but most importantly it will depend on your stance when behind the dish.If you bend more at the waist where your head is farther out horizontally, especially in an extreme scissors style stance, it is likely a longer 6" or 6 and 1/2" throat protector one is needed. If you are more upright, possibly a shorter 4" one will do.
Richard Siegel, an umpire and moderator at ABUA's umpire.org had a very good explanation on the size and placement of throat protectors:
"It needs to be long enough so the bottom end of the throat protector will hit your CP when a ball hits the throat protector...If you want to read the full thread of other umpires discussing throat protectors at umpire.org, you can read it here.
To determine if your throat protector is long enough to protect you, put on your mask and get into your normal plate stance. Have another person use his fist (to simulate how the ball would travel) and slowly impact the throat protector straight on and see if the throat protector pivots up into your throat, or if the bottom end of the throat protector hits your CP. If it goes up into your throat you either have to re-attach the throat protector lower on your mask, or get a longer throat protector, or both."
6 comments:
I can back up the comment that you should not wear a throat protector that is too short. I went from a long protector to a short one last year, no problem until I got hit inthe protector and it came back into my throat. The very next game I chose to go without rather than have that happen again. My throat is still tender.
I have the helmet style mask and I added the hockey goalie throat protector. I like it because I couldn't find a throat protector long enough. I don't have to worry about anything hitting me in the throat since it touches my chest protector.
Jason Wenzel
i was told the throat protector should remain rigid and not swing backwards when hit.
Adrian
I am not sure the logic behind what you were told, other than some of the MLB umpires are wearing throat protectors mounted in this manner.
It truly is an individual thing based on stance and the horizontal gap when in the stance, as Jim stated in the original comment.
The rigid attachment advice probably comes from someone taking a shot with a protector worn too high or too short swinging up into the wearer's throat. A rigid mount throat guard mounted on the outside of the mask, as I have seen some of the MLB umpires wearing, however is useless.
In my 20 years of umpiring, I finally took a shot that got under my mask. It hit me at the top of my West Vest chest protector and part flesh. I call from a scissor stance and have seen pictures of me in position, and there is a gap. I used to wear a throat protector, and after this hit, I am going back to it. The larger Wilson that is.
The throat guard must be re-thought. I have invented a new throat guard that will reduce throat injuries tremendously. I am in the patent process right now and am waiting for my pending letter to arive. I will post a photo when it does.
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