throat protector

pujols54 · 03-05-2009, 04:08 AM

I am considering attaching a throat protector to my mask. I don't really like the way it looks. How many of you guys wear one?

mazzamouth · 03-05-2009, 05:10 AM

you will see on here there are 2 types of umpires regarding throat protection.

1. Those who wear one

2. Those who think they dont need one.

I bought one and didnt like how it felt....and I have been hit in the throat, and still do not wear one...

nopachunts · 03-05-2009, 12:57 PM

A throat protector is one of those little things I don't leave home without. I have been hit in the throat protector and it did its' job.

I wear a short protector instead of the long one. It's like wearing a cup, once you get accustomed to it, you don't even realize you have it on.

BTW, one less thing to worry about.

SJUMBA93 · 03-05-2009, 01:19 PM

Two varsity games last year where I was hit in the throat protector hard enogh to knock it off my mask. I would not consider being behind the plate without it.

Richard_Siegel · 03-05-2009, 02:07 PM

I wear a 6" dangling throat protector. 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. This causes the throat protector to be braced by the CP and prevent the ball from reaching your throat. The shorter throat protectors will swing right up behind your chin and the ball can still get in there.

The first throat protector I tried many years ago was a 3" because I thought the 6" ones look too long and silly. I was hit in that 3" throat protector by a ball shortly thereafter. The impact of the ball drove the end of the throat protector back up into my throat and I was injured. I think that if I didn't even have that 3" throat protector at all I would have escaped injury because the ball also nicked the bottom of my mask so the ball might have been deflected downward, away from my throat.

I got rid of the 3" throat protector the next day and got a 6" throat protector. I have been very happy, and well protected ever since.

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.

You cannot do this test when standing straight up because the angle of your face and your body is not the same as when you are in your normal plate stance, which is the time when a ball is going to hit you.

Tim_C · 03-05-2009, 02:09 PM

I would never, ever wear a dangler.

I have a proper fitted chest protector worn with a West Vest Mask with the small extension. 3,998 games and have NEVER been hit in the throat.

NOW I'VE DONE IT . . . I am assured of getting nailed in my next game!

finnerty · 03-05-2009, 02:14 PM

Listen to Richard; he said it all.

Ozzy · 03-05-2009, 03:17 PM

Do as you wish, just realize most incidents are either poorly fitted equipment or improper stance. I've been hit once, then I learned proper stance and I have never been hit in the throat since. When the ball contacts me at the base of the mask, it has no where to go but my CP. See, proper equipment means a lot too!

torquer · 03-05-2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pujols54

I am considering attaching a throat protector to my mask. I don't really like the way it looks. How many of you guys wear one?

If you think it helps for protection, then go for it. Don't let anyone talk you out of your safety. I've had mine blown off the mask, it only happened once but was glad it was there.

Jess

Richard_Siegel · 03-05-2009, 04:21 PM

The ball that is most likely to hit you in the throat is the pitch that is fouled downward by the batter's feet and then bounces up towards your neck. The sudden fouled deflection downward makes it nearly impossible for the catcher to react to and knock down. And the angle the ball is coming up at you is perfect to enter the space under your mask's chin extention and get in there above the top of your CP. The worst part of it is that if you are properly locked in with the good discipline to keep your head still you probably won't see the ball bounce, and you won't realize it is heading for your throat.

That is why the longer throat guard is better to stop those balls coming up from the ground after a bounce.

BrianC14 · 03-05-2009, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard_Siegel

The ball that is most likely to hit you in the throat is the pitch that is fouled downward by the batter's feet and then bounces up towards your neck. The sudden fouled deflection downward makes it nearly impossible for the catcher to react to and knock down. And the angle the ball is coming up at you is perfect to enter the space under your mask's chin extention and get in there above the top of your CP. The worst part of it is that if you are properly locked in with the good discipline to keep your head still you probably won't see the ball bounce, and you won't realize it is heading for your throat.

That is why the longer throat guard is better to stop those balls coming up from the ground after a bounce.

That's the ticket.

finnerty · 03-05-2009, 05:24 PM

Like I said, listen to Richard.

Majordave · 03-05-2009, 06:32 PM

Amen from the choir to Richard's comments here.

I had several bounce down under the catcher and back up into my throat. The dangler I wear has stopped every one of them. I hope my success rate continues.

03-05-2009, 04:08 AM	#1
pujols54 Rookie Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: DRESDEN, TN Posts: 71 Rep Power: 9	throat protector I am considering attaching a throat protector to my mask. I don't really like the way it looks. How many of you guys wear one?

03-05-2009, 05:10 AM	#2
mazzamouth Crew Chief Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Whiteman AFB, MO Posts: 802 Rep Power: 32	Re: throat protector you will see on here there are 2 types of umpires regarding throat protection. 1. Those who wear one 2. Those who think they dont need one. I bought one and didnt like how it felt....and I have been hit in the throat, and still do not wear one... __________________ "The rules are just ink on paper. Without us, they are easily bent and broken. We relish the challenge of using them to craft a game fairly played"

03-05-2009, 12:57 PM	#3
nopachunts Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Tyler, Texas Posts: 234 Rep Power: 17	Throat Protector A throat protector is one of those little things I don't leave home without. I have been hit in the throat protector and it did its' job. I wear a short protector instead of the long one. It's like wearing a cup, once you get accustomed to it, you don't even realize you have it on. BTW, one less thing to worry about.

03-05-2009, 01:19 PM	#4
SJUMBA93 Cadet Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 33 Rep Power: 0	Re: throat protector Two varsity games last year where I was hit in the throat protector hard enogh to knock it off my mask. I would not consider being behind the plate without it.

03-05-2009, 02:07 PM	#5
Richard_Siegel Moderator All-Star Crew Chief Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 5,174 Rep Power: 129	Re: throat protector I wear a 6" dangling throat protector. 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. This causes the throat protector to be braced by the CP and prevent the ball from reaching your throat. The shorter throat protectors will swing right up behind your chin and the ball can still get in there. The first throat protector I tried many years ago was a 3" because I thought the 6" ones look too long and silly. I was hit in that 3" throat protector by a ball shortly thereafter. The impact of the ball drove the end of the throat protector back up into my throat and I was injured. I think that if I didn't even have that 3" throat protector at all I would have escaped injury because the ball also nicked the bottom of my mask so the ball might have been deflected downward, away from my throat. I got rid of the 3" throat protector the next day and got a 6" throat protector. I have been very happy, and well protected ever since. 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. You cannot do this test when standing straight up because the angle of your face and your body is not the same as when you are in your normal plate stance, which is the time when a ball is going to hit you.

03-05-2009, 02:09 PM	#6
Tim_C Veteran Crew Chief Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PDX Posts: 1,884 Rep Power: 60	Re: throat protector I would never, ever wear a dangler. I have a proper fitted chest protector worn with a West Vest Mask with the small extension. 3,998 games and have NEVER been hit in the throat. NOW I'VE DONE IT . . . I am assured of getting nailed in my next game!

03-05-2009, 02:14 PM	#7
finnerty Crew Chief Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 938 Rep Power: 39	Re: throat protector Listen to Richard; he said it all.

03-05-2009, 03:17 PM	#8
Ozzy Veteran Crew Chief Join Date: May 2004 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,801 Rep Power: 66	Re: throat protector Do as you wish, just realize most incidents are either poorly fitted equipment or improper stance. I've been hit once, then I learned proper stance and I have never been hit in the throat since. When the ball contacts me at the base of the mask, it has no where to go but my CP. See, proper equipment means a lot too! __________________ When in doubt, bang 'em out! Ozzy

03-05-2009, 04:21 PM	#10
Richard_Siegel Moderator All-Star Crew Chief Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 5,174 Rep Power: 129	Re: throat protector The ball that is most likely to hit you in the throat is the pitch that is fouled downward by the batter's feet and then bounces up towards your neck. The sudden fouled deflection downward makes it nearly impossible for the catcher to react to and knock down. And the angle the ball is coming up at you is perfect to enter the space under your mask's chin extention and get in there above the top of your CP. The worst part of it is that if you are properly locked in with the good discipline to keep your head still you probably won't see the ball bounce, and you won't realize it is heading for your throat. That is why the longer throat guard is better to stop those balls coming up from the ground after a bounce.

03-05-2009, 05:24 PM	#12
finnerty Crew Chief Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 938 Rep Power: 39	Re: throat protector Like I said, listen to Richard.

03-05-2009, 06:32 PM	#13
Majordave Veteran Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Danville, Kentucky Posts: 362 Rep Power: 20	Re: throat protector Amen from the choir to Richard's comments here. I had several bounce down under the catcher and back up into my throat. The dangler I wear has stopped every one of them. I hope my success rate continues. __________________ "You can observe a lot by watching." Yogi

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