Umpires are an integral part of baseball for not just the biggest games but the smallest ones as well. Their right or wrong judgements and decisions on the baseball field can flip the game completely and help win the non-favourites as well.

However, umpires are human too, and they need proper protection to ensure their safety on the field. This becomes challenging without the right sports gear that allows them to feel secure, even during intense baseball games.

In this article, you’ll learn about the checklist for baseball umpire equipment that you will need if you are an umpire. So, let’s begin:-

Important Baseball Umpire Equipment

The right equipment depends on your age and the level of your skills as well in relation to the type and level of the game that you’re umpiring for! In fact, there are some of the umpiring positions that require different types of equipment. For example, the third base umpire won’t require the type of equipment that an umpire on the home base would require. The type of equipment that you will require is going to depend upon your role. But there are some regular equipment that you would definitely require to fulfill the responsibilities of being an umpire.

Five pieces of equipment that you would need as an umpire:-

1.   Defender Face Masks

Are you an umpire who has been rendered the responsibility of umpiring behind the plate? If yes, you will definitely need a face mask, for sure. For some baseball leagues in their nascent stages, you can wear a backwards cap, but that’s not the case with major baseball leagues. In case you’re given an option to do so, ideally you should not opt for it.

The safest option is to have a Defender face mask while you’re umpiring. For more competitive baseball leagues, you need to put on a mask that is made as per this illustrious sport’s standards. Alongside this, you need to ensure that the mask covers your face completely, is durable, and allows air circulation. Due to this, you won’t be sweating no matter which clothes you’re wearing.

Pro Tip: Ensure that your mask doesn’t contribute to vision disruptions or a great amount of heat.

2.   Ultimate Umpire Chest Protector with Dupont Kevlar

If you’re umpiring behind the plate, you would need to have the best available chest protector in the market. By opting for an Ultimate umpire chest protector with Dupont Kevlar, you will be able to protect yourself. It will prevent you from getting wounds because of a speeding ball or any accidents with a bat.

A robust chest pad will adapt to your body and allow for proper ventilation. But you would have to wear a T-shirt underneath your chest pad if you really want to prevent any kind of discomfort. Alongside this, you need to make sure that it’s tight but not so tight that it doesn’t let you even move on the ground. Alongside this, you need to ensure that the padding is enough to protect yourself against a baseball that’s coming towards you with a 95mph speed.

3.   Ultimate Umpire Shin Guards with Dupont Kevlar

The ball hitting the shin area can cause gruesome pain even after doing umpiring for quite many seasons. That’s more of the reason why you should wear a shin guard that’s made with fine materials.

By wearing the Ultimate umpire shin guards with Dupont Kevlar, you will be able to do your duties on the field with ease, even after getting hit on the shins. The impact would be negligible, and you won’t feel any kind of pain.

The likelihood of getting a ball to hit your shin is pretty high, so you need to safeguard yourself even while taking care of the ventilation. With proper shin guards, you’ll be able to do exactly that.

4.   Ultimate Umpire Set

What if you had the Ultimate umpire set that will ensure your safety on the ground? It will definitely make your life easier as you won’t have to buy individual items and then assemble them as per your duties of umpiring.

With the help of this set, you will protect yourself and your whole body, no matter how heated the game becomes. It will protect you even when you’re in the line of fire quite a few times. So, having the whole umpire set is a must-have if you’re an umpire for the major baseball leagues.

5.   Dry-Lo Umpire Ball Bag with Insider Pockets

The umpires need to carry some extra balls on the field for the players. You can carry those balls easily by having a Gry-Lo umpire ball bag. Furthermore, the insider pockets of this bag will provide you with ample space to take care of all the belongings of players, which they hand over to you while pitching.

Final Thoughts

The above-listed checklist will help you while preparing for your umpiring assignment. You just need to have a face mask, chest protector, shin guard, the whole umpire set, and a ball bag as well. By having these essential baseball umpire gear and other items, you will be well on your way to keeping yourself protected while umpiring.