Umpire's Equipment Buying Guide

UMPIRE MASK:
With umpire masks, you'll find that most mask frames now are made of dyna-lite, super-light or featherweight material. Most models differ by only a few ounces, which may not sound like much, but makes a big difference to your neck over several hours of plate work. You will generally pay a bit more for lighter masks - especially those made with titanium frames, greater protection, better padding and increased vision. Most umpire masks come with extended frames for good ear, throat protection and also come with padding that wraps slightly around the outer frame for additional cushion. Umpire masks made with doeskin, leather, Dri-Gear or Quick-Dry padding offer a more comfortable fit and are better able to absorb perspiration to prevent the helmet from sliding around your face as you perspire. Doeskin has the added benefit of being cooler in hotter conditions.

Most masks also have Velcro straps that allow you to adjust or easily replace your padding. With any umpire mask or helmet, you should have the ability to replace or upgrade your padding.

Look for a lower profile mask that gives you 15% increase in your field of vision since the frame sits closer to your face. If you want more protection for your neck, consider adding a throat protector that will attach to the bottom of your umpire mask or helmet.

Fitting: An umpire's helmet should fit snugly. Avoid loose helmets as they are more likely to fly off or adjust during the game. To determine your helmet size, wrap a cloth measuring tape around your head just above the ears. The circumference measurement will likely be between 20 and 24 inches. Manufacturers will vary in their definition of helmet sizes, but should offer a chart or table to convert the circumference measurement.

 

CHEST PROTECTOR:
Umpire chest protectors cover vital body parts including the heart, chest, shoulders and ribs. They also protect the stomach area. This is perhaps your most important gear choice as an umpire.

When choosing an umpire chest protector, you must first choose the level of protection needed. Chest protectors come in either hard shell or soft shell. The hard shell version features a soft inner padding and can come with or without hard plastic inserts. The hard shell protectors obviously provide more protection than the soft shell, but the soft shell is lighter, cooler and more comfortable. The hard shell umpire chest protectors are now made with lighter materials and contour better to the body for a more comfortable fit than older styles used to provide.

Chest protectors will cover from the bottom of your neck down to your belly button. It will not protect your throat. Some face masks have an extra extension that should cover this area. Wearing a separate throat protector will help cover any gap left open.

Most chest protectors have an adjustable harness that will fit and latch around your back to keep it in place when you are behind the plate. Umpire shirts are specifically made to fit over any chest protector style.

 

HARD SHELL UPMPIRE CHEST PROTECTORS
The hard shell protectors are surprisingly lightweight while still offering more protection than their soft shell counterparts. Hard shell protectors tend to be more costly and do not typically cover below the ribs or in the stomach area. Very tall umpires may want to consider the soft shell version that typically extends farther down.

Fitting: The chest protector should completely cover your ribs. Use a cloth measuring tape and note the size (in inches) from your neck to the bottom of your ribs.

 

SOFT SHELL UPMPIRE CHEST PROTECTORS
The soft shell umpire chest protectors are lightweight and provide more perspiration management. They are up to 5" longer and are less expensive than their hard shell counterparts. Some also offer added protection through plastic plates embedded within the chest protector itself. These chest protectors provide adequate protection for youth levels and even through junior varsity. However, many believe that these styles are not adequate at the high school and higher level.

Fitting: The chest protector should completely cover your ribs. The listed size should be from the top to bottom, so use a cloth measuring tape and note the size (in inches) from your neck to the bottom of the desired protected area.

 

SHIN GUARDS:
Umpire shin guards (also called "leg guards") provide protection to the shins, knees and ankles.

When choosing Shin/Leg Guards, look for these specific features:
MOST THIGH PROTECTION
While you do have more meat in the thigh area to cushion the blow and you're least likely to take a direct blow in that location, you will still at least want lower thigh protection that covers the topmost "knee" of extended or triple-knee umpire shin guards.

LEAST STRAP IRRITATION
Many models have no strap at the knee area where painful rubbing can occur. Other models provide extra padding around the back of the knee.

FITTING
You may assume that umpire shin guards would be measured by their full length from the tip of its top to the tip of its bottom. But that's not exactly true. Instead, they are measured by where they should fit (from the area where the middle of your knee would go to the bottom of the shin guard). Be sure to measure correctly to avoid ordering the wrong size.

In general, 17" shin guards will fit people who are 5' 10" to 6' 1". Of course, this is just a general rule since height does not necessarily ensure shin length. Measure yourself knee to foot. If in doubt, always go with the larger size. It is obviously better to have more coverage than to be short here. Unlike many equipment pieces, shin guards do not have to fit snugly but too loose may result in chafing.

 

FOOT PROTECTION AND PLATE SHOES:
Although some umpire shin guards offer foot protection, they generally do not provide enough. At best, they'll cover only the top half of your foot. To properly cover your entire foot, including your toes, we recommend plate shoes at all levels of umpiring including youth levels. "Toe" guards are also available to provide you with at least some protection if you do not want foot plates.