Plate Coat

[kcfan102]

So I want to make this investment, but it's not like buying a new shirt or even new shoes, it's a pretty big price tag and I want to do it right.

I want a black plate coat. From what I have seen there are three choices:

Gerry Davis - $340

Honigs - $275

Fechheimer - $250

I know this is a broad question but which one would you guys recommend?

[jnazz]

I'm going to purchase one this fall too, so I am also interested in others' input.

[kylejt]

I've had the Fechheimer and Honig's in navy, and I thought the Honig's was better built. Haven't seen a Davis in person.

But it's not an investment, as opposed to a luxury. Chicks dig the coat, though.

[Kevin Finnerty]

I used to have a professor that often said, "That's not an investment; it's an expense."

A friggin' plate coat is not an investment.

[kcfan102]

I used to have a professor that often said, "That's not an investment; it's an expense."

A friggin' plate coat is not an investment.

Figure of friggin' speech. Forgive me.

[boyinr]

I would think that it would be very important to try one on before purchasing it. You could spend a small fortune on shipping charges back and forth. I know that my shirts and jackets fit very differently depending on which CP I am wearing. There is a big difference between my platimum and my older soft shell/ribbed model. I would also make sure that I had my forever CP.

Add to that the manufacturer variability. I would want this to fit just right as you can't keep it in the closet to wear only on the bases like you can with a shirt.

Just my $.02.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Figure of friggin' speech. Forgive me.

You're friggin' forgiven!

[Thunderheads]

Every 'friggin' time I see Kyle say chicks dig the coat ....I crack up!:wave:

[MCLEOD36]

Guys.

I love mine, but my recommendation is see if you can find one, slightly used like I did. Will save you a ton of money (ie $300 or so). You just have to pick your spots to use it.

[kylejt]

A friggin' plate coat is not an investment.

I'll backpedal a bit on this to say I've actually made money on reselling a couple of plate coats that I purchase off of eBay. The last one netted me over $150.

Say, there was a guy selling black and navy coats on eBay about a year ago, for around $100. Anyone here ever get one of those?

[jnazz]

I see on Gerry Davis' website, you give them all your measurements with your CP on. They customize the coat to your unique measurements. I know it's a few bucks more, but it may be worth the extra expense.

[Marcus6]

So I want to make this investment, but it's not like buying a new shirt or even new shoes, it's a pretty big price tag and I want to do it right.

I want a black plate coat. From what I have seen there are three choices:

Gerry Davis - $340

Honigs - $275

Fechheimer - $250

I know this is a broad question but which one would you guys recommend?

Where did you get this information? I dont believe Fechheimer makes black plate coats.

[Umpire in Chief]

I know they use to, I went to their site recently and didn't see them advertised.

[Majordave]

I have two plate coats- a black one and a blue one.

First one was the black Gerry Davis, custom order from measurements taken over the chest protector. I love it. Worth every penny. To hell with the chicks, they don't care but the coaches and players dig it. I never failed to get a positive comment when I wore it at D-1, D-2 or D-3, NAIA college and especially in HS games. Looks professional and adds a certain level of class to the affair. Just my two cents. Your mileage may vary.

The other one is a navy blue Fechheimer (sp?) that I got for about $20 on E-bay. Also worth every penny but I only wore it twice (when I had a partner who did not have a black jacket and was too effin fat to wear the one I use on the bases). Both times I worked with this blue plate coat AND this partner I had to eject a coach. So, I'm not sure I will wear it again.

Sorry. Don't ask to buy it-all my stuff is in storage in KY and I am currently in Afghanistan. No umpiring here.

As to the quality of the two-There is absolutely no comparison in that the Gerry Davis is a Mercedes and the Fechheimer is a Chevy.

I hope to eventually return to umpiring and hopefully get to work a conference at such time I will gladly buy another Gerry Davis in whatever color necessary.

Again, my two cents, your mileage may vary. It is purely a matter of personal choice.

[Kevin Finnerty]

MAJOR DAVE!!!

HOW ARE YOU DOING A WORLD AWAY?!?

I speak for everyone that it's GREAT to hear from you.

[kylejt]

I am currently in Afghanistan. No umpiring here.

There's one cat over in Ghazni that needs an ejection via a smoking hole. I hope you're on that game.

Good to know about the Davis jacket, as that's probably the missing link in my arsenal. I just need to figure out with cp to get it fitted to.

Major, thank you for your service.

[Umpire in Chief]

It must take 2-3 60' storage containers to hold Dave's stuff. :HD:

[BrianC14]

Welcome back, Major.

Hope you're staying safe.

[Majordave]

I am actually here as a mercenary, er, I mean Contractor/Civilian. Long story..... I volunteered for Retiree Recall but they didn't ever call me. So I started looking for opportunities with other ventures like the boys from Moyock, NC, which is UIC's/Warren's backyard, literally and other companies. I actually signed up with a program that uses old, worn out Army and USMC dogs and marries us up with civilian social scientists and ex-pat Afghans and Iraqis who are now US Citizens to map the "Human Terrain" of the country and advise the military commander and his staff on civil matters in order to minimize "kinetic" (i.e. bullets and bombs) actions which tend to make us look bad in the local populace because we cannot tell the bad guys from the good guys. A great concept but not so much in practice.

I bailed on that program when things got weird and got hired as an advisor to the Afghan National Army at their Training Command assisting Afghan Officers with methodology in determining lessons learned. Sort of an ISO 9001/Six-Sigma/Qualitative Management program to watch, ask, question, interview and come up with reports to recommend changes in training and doctrine (how to fight). It is very interesting, challenging (language barriers/culture barriers/education barriers) and financially rewarding. I plan to be here for at least two years in order to accomplish my personal goals and financial goals.

Unfortunately, I don't get to umpire anything AND the damn bad guys keep setting off bombs all over the place. The one this past Tuesday in Kabul was set off about 1km from my work site. A bomb of 1500+ lbs of high explosive tends to mess up a lot of people's days. But, I do get to travel the country. (visit great hot spots like Marja, Helmand Province, Kandahar.......) It works for me right now.

Again, thanks for the kind comments.

Hope all of your seasons are going well and everyone is behaving.

DCT

[kcfan102]

For some reason I thought the Gerry Davis might be a good choice. I thought that for $100 extra, the fit and look might be a little better.

Thanks for the advice Majordave.

Stay safe out there!

[stl_ump]

Sorry but what is the attraction of a Plate Coat? Just wondering.

[Umpire in Chief]

I think they look very sharp and make a statement when you walk on the field.

About 2 years ago I worked a varsity fall ball game with a partner who wore a plate coat. As we're walking through one of the dugouts to get onto the field. The kids were commenting on my partner. One said, "Look at him (my partner) they sent us the good umpires."

This fall I will be buying some new pants and shirts and I hope to possibly get a coat if I can save up enough.

[JaxRolo]

I think they look very sharp and make a statement when you walk on the field.

About 2 years ago I worked a varsity fall ball game with a partner who wore a plate coat. As we're walking through one of the dugouts to get onto the field. The kids were commenting on my partner. One said, "Look at him (my partner) they sent us the good umpires."

This fall I will be buying some new pants and shirts and I hope to possibly get a coat if I can save up enough.

That is a great quote!!! :FIRE:

[DirtyDawg]

It's true, though. With the plate coat you have about the most professional appearance that one can get before the game. We all know first impressions typically set the mood for the rest of the evening.

[slo8140]

I know that they look sharp, but maybe it is due to the heat...I have seen one worn anywhere that I have umpired out side of catching a MLB game on TV.

All of my experience is in east Texas and south Louisiana. I think the look would be great, but I already sweat so much. I guess if I had one, I could wear it for a couple of games way early in the HS season. I honestly do not even know if they are approved for HS wear here in Texas. Just can't justify the expense...and I am good at justifying expenses when it comes to umpire gear.

Side note....was watching an MLB game the other day...probably a Ranger game. Hunter Wendelstedt had the plate and he was wearing a plate coat. He was not rocking the Jim Wolf look with the "snappy" mock turtleneck over the protector. It appeared that he was wearing an old Ridell Power that looked as it had been used many, many times...pretty poor looking. Plus it seemed that he was a wearing a white T-shirt underneath it with some sort of screen print on it. You could see the shirt below the bottom of the protector and above the button on his coat. His equipment and undershirt choice took a classy looking plate coat and made his appearance..."Smitty" (no offense to the uniform company...I love their shirts)