Umpire Safety Tips ~ Proper Use of Umpire Protective Equipment
When properly equipped and educated, a baseball or softball umpire should be able to adequately perform his or her duties while keeping injuries to a minimum. It's not enough just to wear the required protective gear; each piece of apparatus must be worn correctly in order to be effective.
The umpire's mask is one of the most important parts in this assembly of shields. The straps should be adjusted so they sit as high as possible around your head. This allows the mask to be removed quickly and easily. It also puts less pressure on one's head, which can be distracting, if not painful, during extended periods behind the plate.
The mask should fit loosely on your face. The tighter it is, the more shock is going to be transferred to you rather than absorbed by the mask. If your mask is hit hard by a pitched ball, you can expect it to shift sideways across your face or even get knocked off entirely.
If this happens and you don't feel the hit; you'll know the mask was adjusted properly, (and a few gasping spectators will chalk one up for your bravery!)
[I do not have adequate experience wearing the full helmet/face mask for umpires which is also available, so I can not rightfully comment on them.]
There are numerous light weight alloy constructed umpire masks on the market today. Some start as low as $30.00. They are more comfortable than heavier ones, and as an umpire, I recommend them.
Also, for comfort, your cap should only be as tight as necessary to stay on your head when you remove your mask. Fitted caps are more comfortable than adjustable ones and look more professional.
"Dangling" type throat guards are not always required for umpires like they are for catchers. They come in 4" and 6" lengths. From my experience the 4" length rarely gets caught up under the lip of my chest protector.
The chest protector should not be too tight across your chest and stomach, so as to reduce the intensity of a direct hit. It should be worn high enough in front to protect your collar bone.
Some chest protectors have extensions that cover parts of the upper arm. Also available are slip-on protective pads used to protect the arms and wrists.
Whether or not you invest in additional arm protection may depend on the level of games you're working and the skill of the pitcher and/or catcher. As a rule, if the wrist and arm is relaxed, it will sustain a minimal amount of injury if hit.
Additional protection is a personal preference. I will add that it is generally recommended not placing one arm behind your back in your stance behind the plate. This can cause your balance to become unsteady and could contribute to your calls being inconsistent.
Leg guards come in different lengths. All offer protection to the top of the knee while some have one or more pads that extend well above the knee. Some offer protection that covers the top of your foot and sometimes this part is removable.
If you wear shoes designed specifically for plate work, this area of the foot is protected by a metal plate. With these shoes, the added foot protection on the leg guards is not necessary. "Plate" shoes are also equipped with steel toes.
Most leg guards are secured by metal clasps on elastic straps which hook onto a ring. They are also available with the locking snap type clasp. Honig's is one distributor of umpire gear who carries this second type. Leg guards are designed to be worn with the hooks or locking clasps on the outside of the leg.
For male umpires, a hard cup should always be worn behind the plate. To assure comfort, choose a smooth contoured one with good ventilation. The cup must be held firmly in place either with an athletic supporter, or other type of shorts designed for this purpose. Some umpires also wear cups when they are working bases.
Baseball and softball umpires have an assortment of protective gear available to them. However, this specialized equipment must be worn properly in order to achieve the results for which it was designed. This is the best defense an umpire has to avoid injury while behind the plate.
Jared Parks
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The author has been an umpire since 2000 officiating in over 750 documented games. He continues to umpire Little League and High School baseball and softball games.
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