Fielders Choice Articles
Purchasing your first set of umpires protective equipment can be
a daunting task. However, if you keep the following 3 steps in
mind, it will make the process a little easier for the new umpire.
- Protection – What will keep me safe behind the plate?
- Comfort – What gear will be comfortable enough to wear for 2 hours plus?
- Cost – How much will it all set me back?
Step 1 – Protection
The number 1 priority when buying protective equipment is protection. Your gear must be able to prevent foul tips and wild pitches from hitting your face, throat, chest, knees, shins and ankles, with enough force to do any damage.
- Face Masks – There are 2 types of face masks available on the market today. The most popular face mask amongst umpires is the conventional mask and harness. They offer great front on protection but a constricted field of vision. The alternative is the hockey style mask, which offers a greater field of vision, due to having thinner bars, and offer protection for the whole head. However the hockey style masks tend to be quite cumbersome to carry around while not being worn. Both styles of mask have a built in throat guard, however if you require more throat protection, throat guards are available separately.
- Chest Protectors – Your chest protector may be the most important piece of protective equipment you wear. The chest protector will guard your shoulders, collarbones and ribcage from stray balls and will combine with your face mask to protect your throat. Most umpire chest protectors now stop at the bottom of the ribcage, to allow freedom of movement while in your plate stance.
- Leg Guards – Your leg guards will protect your knees, shins and ankles, which are all vital to calling a good game. Most leg guards now offer 2 or 3 knee plates, to eliminate the gap in protection to allow the knee to bend, and side ankle guards to stop foul tips hitting your ankles. All leg guards also come with instep guards, to stop balls hitting the top of your feet.
Lastly, while in your plate stance, make sure your protective gear is always facing the pitcher, so the gear can do its job!
Step 2 - Comfort
From softball and Little League baseball games lasting 90 minutes to State League and Provincial League baseball games going into extra innings, your protective gear needs to be comfortable enough for you to wear for extended periods of time.
Generally, the lighter the gear is, the more comfortable it will be to wear. However, you can not substitute comfort for safety, so try to find the best mix of both comfort and protection when looking for your protective gear.
Step 3 – Cost
The cost of your equipment need not be a deciding factor in purchasing your equipment. After all, what price can you put on your safety behind the plate?
Hopefully this information will make things a little easier for you when buying your umpires protective equipment.
Good luck and good umpiring!
Visit our umpire protective equipment collection here
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Links
Australian Baseball Federation
Baseball WA
Goodwill Downunder
Softball Australia
Under Armour
Western Australia Softball Association
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