blue32

Edited post, didn't see that my earlier one actually posted. Sorry guys, as you were!

I like the grey, and am going to one up this year for summer tourney season. Also, i'd like to see the white with the black collar catch on for summer ball as well. I think it's sharp looking, and adds another lighter color in the mix for those 100+ degree days.

I have the 36" Diamond Bag. It's bulky, but holds everything I need it to hold, and I am very happy with it.

I have a Shock FX and love it. It is much lighter than the others on the market, and the view is great. I have had a Rawlings Cool-Flo, and a Diamond iX3 HSM as well, and the Wilson is head and shoulders above them. One thing I wasn't expecting was how cool the bucket is during summer games. I actually sweat less behind the plate wearing my Shock, than I do on the bases wearing a hat. But, to each his own, I like the feel and protection of the HSM over the traditional masks. I don't think there is a right or wrong way to go. If anyone does decide to go with a HSM, my advice is to do a few more games, save up a little more, and go with the Wilson.

Our HS meetings start the beginning of February here in Boise, then the HS season starts the first week of March, Babe Ruth the first week of April, Adult Leagues the first week of May, Legion the end of May, beginning of June, tournament season starts the beginning of June and goes through August, then it's Adult Leagues through October. Is it January already????

Amen to that! I get a chuckle sometimes just cruising around ebay and watching the bidding that goes on. It's a like when I was younger, my Stepdad ran a Public Auction that primarily auctioned cars. People would pay hundreds, if not thousands more for a car than it was even worth, but the people who won the bid though they were getting a great deal just because it was an auction.

I was a catcher also, from the time I was about 9 years old all the way through high school. I had a few years where I would occasionally play other positions, when we had an adequate catcher, but a huge hole somewhere else. But I always migrated back behind the plate. I loved being the "quarterback" and involved in every phase of the game.

I got my Shock FX mid season last year, liked the quality, fit, weight, and protection so much, I followed it up with a WV Platinum (thank god for District, State, and Regionals!). I couldn't stop there, so with some christmas money I received, I ordered the WV triple knee shin guards to complete the set. They will be here Monday!

I would have no problem with it if conditions warranted. I have one of those hoods you see football players wear from time to time, thankfully I have only had to wear it once. I'd rather be warm and comfortable and be able to concentrate on the game than be freezing and lose concentration as a result of it.

most likely a carlucci. carlucci's cp's were all ribbed, and he added hard plastic plates to it if the buyer so choosed.

I was thinking that the big W was just a sticker to advertise wilson, and not actually the brand of cp he was wearing, because it was way too conspicuous, and nothing I have seen on any of wilson's chest protectors.

My 15 year old wants to start as well. I am taking him up to Spokane this weekend to a 3 day clinic being put on by the man himself, Jim Evans. I figure he will learn more this weekend than half a month's worth of clinics being put on by local associations. I can't wait for Friday to get here. I've talked to Jim on the phone, and he seems like a heck of a dude.

Just purchased the Wilson Shock FX Titanium, and I can't say enough how unbelievably awesome this mask really is. The fit is extremely comfortable, and the weight is tremendously light. I have done several games now in extreme heat with this mask, and have enjoyed every inning. I have had problems with other HSMs, specifically the inner liners and padding falling out from extreme moisture inside the helmet on those hot days. I don't see that as being a problem with this mask at all, because even on those 100 degree days, I am now not sweating enough for it to be a problem. I have found that my head is actually getting hotter when I am working the bases wearing a hat that I am working the dish with the Shock. I have taken a few balls to the face so far, and I don't know if it's the shocks or not, but I haven't hardly felt a thing, so it works well in that department, also. The only con to this helmet is the placement of the 2 lower straps in the rear of the helmet. They come across just below my ears, so repeated motions of quickly removing the helmet during the course of the game tend to leave my ears a little tender from the rubbing it creates, but it is just a minor discomfort and nothing to consider not purchasing this HSM. (I normally call them buckets, but to do that would be a diservice to this gem of a HSM.) For anyone that is in the market for a HSM, I urge you to spend the extra money and get this mask, it is worth every penny, and you will not regret it!

I just don't beat myself up over it. Remember, what we think are our worst games are still pretty darn good in the eyes of the coaches and players. But if you need a sure fire remedy, I have just the thing for right after a game like that: Beer! :)

If MLB and the players union would agree to suspend the season for a few weeks like the NHL does, baseball would be back in the olympics. It may sound crazy, but if the MLB wants to get more market share world wide, having their stars in the olympics is the best way to do it. One of the other issues I have heard is that the union doesn't want it due to the drug testing that is involved with olympic athletes. It's sad, because I would much rather see an all star team in the middle of the summer compete against the world than a team in the beginning of february like they did with the WBC.

I have a pair of Wave Trainer G2's. They have lasted me 2 seasons, but need to be replaced. The pleather is starting to crack on the sides where it meets the sole. They were very comfortable, but the soles are also starting to break down, and aren't as springy anymore. The one thing I did not like was trying to keep the white part of the soles clean. In the future, it's all black soles for me. Now that NB is not making the 350 anymore, I am going to wait and see what reebok does. Hopefully, when they release their umpire line to the public next year, they will have a base shoe similar to their Thorpe model football official shoe that is all black, including the logo on the sides. I picked up a pair of the thorpe's for football, and they are very very comfortable, but have the nobbies on the bottom, which is fine for football, but not so sure if they would be good for baseball.

Not trying to be a wise-guy or anything, but you prefer the huge reebok logo on the sides of those shoes to the N on the sides of the new balance? I would think it would be a heck of a lot easier to black out the N with polish like a lot of others have done than that big reebok thing.

I agree that the best way to go is trying on different caps. The only problem is that in Boise, ID, there are no retailers that stock umpire equipment, except for the "smitty essentials kit"-the nylon rawlings ball bag with the outside pockets. We have to go online to get all of our gear. So, if you order a fitted cap that doesn't fit right, too bad. You can return it, but usually you get stuck with paying the return shipping. It turns a 12 dollar hat into 25-30 bucks real quick. For that reason, I just order the flex fits. I only use them on the bases anyway, because I wear a HSM behind the plate.

NB! NB! NB! 'nuff said.

I have used CK and a pair of sansabelt pants, but switched over the GD's this year and like them a lot. They are extremely comfortable, don't fade, and look good after many cleanings.

Hey fellas, I posted a review on the Shock FX in the reviews section.

I work all field sizes, 60, 70, and 90, and find that I actually need to be quicker on the small diamonds than I do on the 90' ones. With the longer base paths and longer throws, the game slows down quite a bit for me, so I think you'll be pleasantly surprised to find that it will actually be a little easier working the big diamond.

Dude, you know the only reason to go bowling is for the beer! I don't know why, but I have been bitten by the bowling bug lately. I have hated it my whole life but somehow I am starting to really like it. I never bowled over 100 until a couple weeks ago when I rolled a 105 and a 113. Now I have a 142 and 144 added to my resume, the 144 coming after that 1-man DH.

I picked up a couple unexpected Legion games this week, and haven't had the time to post a more comprehensive review. I think it turned out for the best, because I am going to work the Idaho state Cal Ripken tournament this week starting Wednesday and it runs until Saturday. I will be doing 17 games, with approximately 8 or 9 behind the dish in 100 degree heat, so this should give me a great chance to see how the bucket holds up under extreme circumstances. Hopefully I will have a review by Saturday or Sunday night prepared for you guys.

Oh yeah, forgot about fall ball. That should add about a dozen or so more games to my count. Not sure what you guys have in the Tar Heel State, but out here in Boise it's pretty much just DH's every saturday for about 6 weeks.