tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592030347936762489.post4745088721528574884..comments2023-05-31T01:35:22.440-07:00Comments on Midwest Ump: Umpire Concussions (Mama Said Knock You Out)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592030347936762489.post-72734476804252014742012-02-29T22:12:40.581-08:002012-02-29T22:12:40.581-08:00It is no wonder that most of them have offered up ...It is no wonder that most of them have offered up their resignations, as of Sept. 2, as part of a convoluted plan that may be a bluff, may be a mistake, may be a brilliant tactic to return to their jobs as independent contractors rather than unionized employees.Youth Catchers Gearhttp://www.topbaseballequipment.com/buy/baseball=catchers%20setnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592030347936762489.post-58064119780954847042009-08-06T09:50:55.494-07:002009-08-06T09:50:55.494-07:00Pete,
I've been starting the conversation on t...Pete,<br />I've been starting the conversation on the possible wearing of mouthguards while umpiring. It's exploratory at this point, but I've had some <a href="http://umpattire.blogspot.com/2009/07/would-you-wear-mouthguard-when-umpiring.html" rel="nofollow">good comments thus far from umpires on a blog post on the subject</a> that is relevant to your post here.<br /><br />Be curious to hear your initial thoughts or perhaps this is something you might find worthy of blogging about once we pull together more research.<br /><br />Thanks anonymous for your comment (and purchase). I don't know if I'm there yet, but I'm trying.<br /><br />Jim Kirk<br />Owner<br /><a href="http://www.ump-attire.com" rel="nofollow">Ump-Attire</a>Ump-Attire.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12122397816926172167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592030347936762489.post-70156220811336896102009-04-12T16:20:00.000-07:002009-04-12T16:20:00.000-07:00I already had a titanium, and I went for a standar...I already had a titanium, and I went for a standard cage for the stated reasons. <BR/><BR/>And I bought it from Jim Kirk, because he's the most involved and informative guy in the business. I'll still use the low-profile for lower level games, but when the pitchers bringing it, I'm switching to the standard.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592030347936762489.post-45245383730619365882009-03-27T04:04:00.000-07:002009-03-27T04:04:00.000-07:00Pete,Enjoyed reading your article.Regarding the ma...Pete,<BR/>Enjoyed reading your article.<BR/><BR/>Regarding the manufacturers of umpire masks, the type of testing they do is more for durability; tests such as anvil testing and ball impact testing. The manufacturers are going to want to know make sure their mask frame is not going to bend, break or crack with stress.<BR/><BR/>Regarding NOCSAE certification, there is no NOCSAE reviews for any helmet without an earflap. So the only thing you're going to see a NOCSAE stamp on for umpires are hockey style helmets.<BR/><BR/>Optimal would be to design a rating for each mask in terms of impact reduction. Weight and height are easy, but wouldn't it be nice to know let's say that one mask had a certain impact reduction rating and another was higher.<BR/><BR/>There are 2 problems with that. One is that there is no standard testing from which manufacturers can work. The other is that there are areas of the mask that are going to take more force where hit than others. It is this main reason why the Kettering study you mentioned was flawed (they compared a flatter area one one vs a more rounded on another).<BR/><BR/>What we do know about umpire masks and their safety is relative. We know that a mask with more padding is going to be more protective than one that has less. We know a mask frame that is more curved is going to deflect more force than one that is lower or flatter. We know a hockey style helmet protects more of the head than a traditional style mask.<BR/><BR/>And we also know that there are risks inherent in umpiring just as there are in other sports (e.g. football, racing) and professions (e.g. firefighters, construction workers) that can't be prevented, but can only be minimized.<BR/><BR/>And to minimize the risk, you currently have only the relative information and anecdotal evidence from other umpires but no precise, objective analysis.<BR/><BR/>Jim Kirk<BR/>Owner<BR/>Ump-Attire.comUmp-Attire.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12122397816926172167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592030347936762489.post-63121319472548642812009-03-20T11:55:00.000-07:002009-03-20T11:55:00.000-07:00A very thought privoking blog. In this time of ove...A very thought privoking blog. In this time of over litigation we should expect some form of safty mark or standard from manufacturers. Untill then we umpires will have to swap war stories and learn from others pain, Oh wellUK Eddiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10710459344075548786noreply@blogger.com