2013 Umpire-Empire.com Outstanding Umpire Tools (OUT) Awards

Best Accessories: This was such a broad category covering so many items of varying types we could not choose just one winner. So we picked a few:

NuttyBuddy: The NuttyBuddy has won wide acclaim over the past few years for its outstanding level of protection, comfort and innovative design. Our panel agreed. While the Nutty Buddy does come with a premium price tag for athletic cups, you can rest assured that the boys are safe. What other athletic cup manufacturer literally stands behind their product taking a fastball straight from the machine to the jewels and living to tell about it as in their viral YouTube video. Eric Scherer, Sales Manager for Battle Sports Science said:

We would like to thank Umpire-Empire.com for the honor of receiving this year's OUT Award for the NuttyBuddy Protective Cup. Here at Battle Sports, our goal has always remained the same, not just to make great products but to make innovative products that address today's greatest sports safety challenges. We take our job of keeping your "boys" protected very seriously and we are honored to continue to protect the umpire community in the years to come.

Dry Low Ball Bags: Our panel liked the Force3 Dry-Lo Ball Bags. These bags are roomy, functional and are effective at their goal keeping the baseballs inside free of moisture from perspiration on those hot days. These ball bags are also true to color. Jim Evans responded:

Necessity is the mother of invention. Mark Lollo, one of the senior instructors at the Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring, worked in the hot and humid climes of Florida during his journey through the minor leagues. Perspiration soaking through the ball bag onto the baseballs was a constant problem. Mark and his talented, seamstress grandmother teamed up and developed the sweat proof Dry-Lo Ball Bag. This product is now being used by thousands of umpires at all levels throughout the world. American ingenuity...you can't beat it! Stay tuned. Force3 Pro Gear has more innovative products ready to hit the umpire marketplace.

Team Wendy Pads: Since the Team Wendy mask pads became readily available in early 2011 they have been very popular as replacement pads for traditional masks. They are lightweight, comfortable and affordable. Another factor our panel liked is that they are machine washable because nobody likes funky pads. Tom Prodouz, President of Team Wendy, LLC said:

Team Wendy® is honored to be recognized by Umpire-Empires OUT Awards as Best Accessory. Team Wendy's® main focus has always been to offer the most protective products available. Our UMPS Pads continue in this tradition.

The UMPS Pads use our patented Zorbium® foam. This is the same material used in the US Army's helmet liners for the past seven years. It is always great when we can offer the same level of impact protection to the guys behind the plate as we do for the guys serving the country.

As we further our research in head impacts and TBI, we will continue to offer innovative solutions and materials to the market. Thank you again for the award and continue to watch for more protective products from Team Wendy® coming soon.

Best Base Shoes: This category probably had the most nominees of any category. We looked at the traditional line up of base shoes along with other shoes used by umpires for base shoes. Through the discussion the New Balance 950 came out ahead. These shoes are light weight, nice looking, comfortable and clean up easily. One thing that was also discussed is that these shoes are made in wide widths while some competitors don't offer that option.

Best Books: We wanted to take a look at books which serve as great training aids, eliminating books read for personal pleasure. There are many great books out there so this was a particularly tough category. The panel agreed that the CCA Manual was the winner. In discussing the CCA manual the panel agreed that the best part about this book is its simplicity. It is what it is and it does it well. The CCA has become the go to source at the amateur level for mechanics. Even many high school associations use the CCA over the NFHS mechanics book. The CCA is a clear easy to read guide for mechanics with little room for discussion.

Best Chest Protector: This was a category the entire panel was eager to debate. There are a number of great products on the market today. It was not an easy decision, but the Wilson West Vest Gold came out ahead living up to its reputation as the gold standard of chest protectors. Our panel liked the combination of large solid plates, and thick padding. The coverage area is excellent and it does come in multiple sizes to not only give the best fit but the greatest comfort. Almost as important as the physical protection offered by the Gold is the mental confidence of knowing how well protected you are. While still more expensive than many of its competitors, prices have come down making it an even better value. Also, the Gold retains a lot of its value fetching great prices on the resale market.

Best Electronic Training Aid: In this category we looked at a wide variety of items from blogs, to training websites and more. And our winner was the Virtual Umpire Camp CD. Our panel liked the combination of the depth of information and the ease of use. It is interactive and you can see the designed play unfold. One advantage of this is you can clearly watch the positioning and see where the umpires go. Rick Perko, President of Immersion Media in accepting the award replied:

We are really honored to be recognized by Umpire-Empire. Our team often toils in relative obscurity, but still doing really great work. For me, this award shines a light on the strength of our team, our commitment to do great work and the high standards evident in the world of umpiring. I believe the OUTS award will strengthen our resolve to create even better products and to continue to serve the umpiring community with the best products possible.

Best Plate Shoe: Reebok Field Magistrates win this category. We felt these offered not only top-notch protection but are the most comfortable shoes currently available. The Field Magistrates clean up easily and hold up well over long periods of time.

Best Retailer: The panel selected Ump-Attire.com due to their incredible commitment to customer service as well as your involvement in the umpiring community through participation in the forums, social media and the Good Calls Baseball and Umpiring Blog. Ump-Attire.com has also proven themselves as a good corporate citizen through their involvement in UMPS Care, Blue for Pink and Stay in the Game. Jim Kirk, owner of Ump-Attire.com, replied:

We, at Ump-Attire.com are honored and humbled to be selected retailer of the year. We express our deepest appreciation to our customers and friends at Umpire-Empire who share in our vision for sports officials to achieve greater satisfaction, safety, wellness, and respect.

Best Umpire Pants: Honig's Poly-Wool Slacks. The fit, correct color, durability of these pants impressed the committee. These pants have set the bar high when it comes to making the professional appearance. When notified of the award Aaron Frame, Company President of Honig's responded:

Umpires have a wide range of options when sourcing their equipment and uniforms. The material, craftsmanship, and attention to detail that go into every pair of our poly-wool slacks results in a premium price, so it's especially rewarding to have these quality American-made pants recognized as the best.

Best Traditional Mask: Wilson Titanium. Our panel liked this lightweight and comfortable mask. This mask offers great protection, a great view and we like the overall look of this mask.

Best Hockey Style Mask: It is probably no fluke that our winner is the All-Star MVP 4000. After all All-Star did create the first HSMs and have continued to lead the industry. This mask offers great protection, an incredible view, is light weight and breathable. Another factor which people like is the padding is not only comfortable, it is removable, washable, and replacements are easy to find which all extend the life of this mask.

Best Shin Guards: All-Star's System 7 shin guards get the nod. These shin guards not only offer great protection, but rate high in comfort too. Like other All-Star products the padding is adjustable so you can give yourself the perfect fit. The Delta Flex Harnesses are the most comfortable, hugging the shin guard to your leg. Like many of the other All-Star products the padding is removable and washable. Which is always good news for umpires.

Best Jacket: We found the Majestic Therma Base really targeted and met the umpire's needs. It is a sharp looking comfortable jacket that does its job in keeping you warm in style.

Best Umpire Shirts: There are so many choices and so many things to consider in terms of shirts. We selected the Majestic Cool Base Shirts as our winner. These shirts have the sharp look an umpire needs, are lightweight, cool and comfortable. They also are durable and last through all umpires put them through. Trent DeMore representing Majestic replied when notified of the awards Majestic received:

Majestic is very honored to be recognized as being a leader in umpires apparel. Being included in the OUT awards is a huge honor because this is voted on from the umpires that wear our items day in and day out. Majestic will continue to strive to provide the very best umpire items as we can in the future.

Best Gear Bag: After some discussion we ended up going "out of the box" in this category and selected the eBags Mother lode eTech 29. This is not a specifically designed umpire's gear bag, but fits the bill quite nicely. Our panel commented on the heavy duty nylon material, the ease of adjusting the compartments, but one feature that really stood out was that the bag comes with a lifetime warranty.

Best Under Apparel: Proper under apparel is being recognized as an important part of an umpire's equipment and uniform. These items can provide support, moisture management and even additional protection. Not to mention adding to the professional and polished look umpires are striving for. The days of just a simple jock or a cotton t shirt of the appropriate color are quickly fading. Our panel selected the Nike Pro Combat shirt. The Pro Combat offers products for both the heat and the cold, is durable, colorfast, comfortable and gives the appearance umpires are seeking.

Most Innovative Product: It is amazing to see how rapidly new technology is making its way into the world of umpiring and improving our jobs. The RiteTemp Athletics Officially Cool Endurance Pad Set are definitely a product that is making umpiring better. It's keeping people from getting heat exhaustion and it's increasing stamina and recovery in hot weather. MLB has dedicated a set at every MLB stadium and now some MiLB leagues are doing the same. It's becoming as much of a must have as other protective gear in some ways. Kate Doherty of HTFx Inc replied:

Since introduction of our RiteTemp Athletics products to Major League Baseball, MLB has NOT had one heat stress incident with their professional umpires since the employ of our products used for the umpires. Our mantra is to thwart the onset of heat illness altogether and maximize performance, regardless of the level of exercise or venue.

We are extremely proud that HTFx has the only technology that can boast a 22% increase in performance, yet maintain normal body vitals in extreme conditions and under metabolic stress. An unheralded feat. The Alamo Medical Research test scientifically and independently tested our technology in the form of cool vests (body management) in very harsh conditions. While Umpire-Empire has voted our Officially Cool Umpire cool pack worn under the chest protector, our technology reaches more than umpires.... it helps all athletes, young or old wearing baseball caps to keep their face fresh... to our Icy Towel replacements to be used on any part of the body for quick cooling with no fear of germs.... to our cool sport vest to be worn before, during or after events or exercise.

Please feel free to visit the website: ritetempathletics.com or ritetempmedical.com to view the instructional videos.