cardinalfan

Just to clear up, guys. I was hit by a ball that was up and in to a left-handed batter. He didn't get the bat down, and the foul ball glanced down to my shoulder. I was working the Davis stance at the time. I think my arms locked to the knees contributed some to the problem. The fracture was nothing that disabled me from work, and other than some initial soreness wasn't much of a hamper. The doc who looked at my x-rays advised me not to umpire for 4-6 weeks to ensure I didn't do more damage. Unfortunately for me, I gave the CP to a guy who was getting started in LL. If I had known Douglas would attract a cult following... ah, the story of my life!

I wore a Douglas for 5 years and never felt anything until I took a foul ball to the shoulder in a high school game. I couldn't raise my arm to call strikes the rest of the game, but I thought it would pass. A broken collarbone ended my season! I bought a Wilson Gold. At 6'2", I wish it had a couple more inches on the bottom, but the shoulder/clavicle protection is way superior to the Douglas. After seeing an All-Star in person, I may opt to spend a game check on one. I won't, however, go back to the Douglas. Good company. Good service. But I only call H.S, legion, and college, and I wouldn't be able to "lock in" knowing I'm just a foul ball away from an injury.

Good look to the site. Happy New Year to all!!!

I agree with Brian. I've used a Wilson for two yrs now - high school, legion, college - and I've not had any trouble. I take care of my stuff, and I haven't had any pads come loose. I got itchy last spring and pulled out my conventional mask for a couple of games, but I got hit and realized I like the helmet. As far as the sizing, I wear a 6 7/8 and the Wilson fits fine, even though it says 7+. I'm interested in buying a new All-Star. I like what I read on here. The biggest hangup I've had so far is the design of the bars, and I realize that's not much. I think the old design was classic, and it will take me a little time to get used to the new look.

During the early part of the season when it is cool and I'm wearing the pullover, forearm pads are a part of my equipment. McDavid makes a really nice pair for football that work great. Nobody knows they are there. I've never worn them with short sleeves, but I loaned one to a buddy who had a serious bruise he wanted to protect.

For the record, I wasn't necessarily knocking anyone who chooses to wear the Champion. I merely wanted to pass along the notification I got in case anyone is shopping and didn't receive the memo. Party on...

FYI. Got this on facebook this morning from Ump-Attire: Ump-Attire.com - after reviewing the re-designed Champion hard shell chest protector (P200) we have decided NOT to resell them due to the lack of padding behind each of the 18 rivets.

I've got a buddy who ordered several items. After seeing on here that there were some problems he called but was assured everything was in stock and would be sent asap. After two weeks he called back and was told nothing he ordered was in stock. He said the guy was very polite on the phone, but he had been waiting patiently and needed the stuff that week for fall baseball and softball. He didn't have any problem getting his credit card refund.

Crap. I gave away a Douglas about 5 years ago to a buddy who was just getting started. He's still wearing it. I lost $300! I bought a Gold from Maz this spring. After wearing a little bit of everything, I think it is the ultimate in protection. At 6,2 and 170, I don't mind the bulkier look of the Gold, but I do remember thinking the low profile of the Douglas was very cool. As I've said before, I really liked the Douglas, but I took a shot where the shoulder pad meets the CP and cracked my collarbone. And once that happens, it's hard to lock in and trust the CP!

I wore a Charcoal for three h.s. games about 12 years ago. Took a slow curveball off the collarbone area that hurt. I was angry after the game and my partner asked me how much. I took $20, wished him luck, and bought a Douglas. The Charcoal definitely isn't in the top tier of CPs or it would cost twice as much. At the same time, it is a vast improvement over a ribbed or most soft-shelled CPs. Check out the recent threads on here of Platinums that have sold on ebay. If you can scrape up the cash to buy one, you can wear it and then sell it for more than the Charcoal will cost you to begin with.

Our state high school association limited eye black in the state playoffs to "One thin straight line" which was left up to our judgment. The coaches and players didn't like it. Funny thing, when we told them at the plate conference to wipe off the excess, most of them got rid of the entire thing. They only wanted it for the look anyway.

Congrats on the sale. I guess I'm just different, but it would have to be a super deal before I'm wearing a hat or helmet that somebody else has been sweating in. Again, congrats! Just another example of the fact that buying good equipment pays off.

Was that for $200?

Good info. I thought I'd thrown around just about every combination possible for building a mask for next year, but I haven't seen a silver frame with tan pads. Of course feel is most important, but I'm also concerned with the looks. Do you like the way the silver and tan goes together? Any pics?

I always wondered why people bid on items that have 6 days left.

Just when I had considered buying one of their masks and replacing the crappy pads, they said that??? Forget it. Wilson makes quality stuff. I didn't wear crap like that when I was 27. I dang sure ain't gonna wear it when I'm 47!

Buy the good stuff! Start with the most important - a Gold or Platinum CP... New Balance or Reebok shoes... a quality, lightweight mask or helmet... Dri-Lo or Ultimate ball bags... Not only will you be well protected, but check the resale value of quality products vs. junk on ebay. If you decide to sell, you can recoup your investment.

Ha, ha! I bought your Gold, and now we're both happy! I wore a Douglas for five years, and I've said on here before that I loved it. Wish I had it back. But I sold it when I took a foul ball to the collarbone that hurt much more than it should have. I was out of action for a week. Having said that, I got smoked just below the CP right after I bought the Gold. Anybody that says that doesn't hurt should've seen the bruise I wore for about three weeks! The extra two inches of the Douglas would have prevented that shot.

Quit beating around the bush and tell us what you really think! :rollinglaugh:

I've been giving away gear for years, partly because I had a guy give me some stuff when I got started. Had something new happen this year. Back in the early spring, I gave a friend some +POS shin guards that I used for about 10 years. I have the black Wilsons now, but those shins were still in pretty good shape. I saw my buddy a couple of weeks ago and asked him how he liked the shin guards. He told me he decided the local slow pitch softball league was easier money and never wore them. Then he said he sold them for $20! I thought that was pretty lousy - I thought he could have at least given them away since I gave them to him - but I didn't say anything to upset our friendship. This is the only time I've given away gear that it wasn't used and appreciated, so I guess all in all that's not a bad track record.

I had my yearly equipment bag and closet cleaning last week. I have a buddy who started officiating this year. The guy is serious about learning the rules and mechanics, but he was using some gear that was going to get him hurt in big boy ball. So I gave him a Honigs K1, his choice of an All Star bucket or Wilson dynalite, two black ball bags, plate brush, indicator, line up card holder w/ pencils, and the large roller bag I used before I bought the Diamond. I hadn't used any of these things in quite some time, but he acted like a kid on Christmas morning. If you have stuff sitting around gathering dust, find someone who would truly appreciate it and give 'em a good deal on it!

Hey, I'm all about the cool factor. I spend way too much money to wear the best equipment and look good. But there's a line to be drawn even for an equipment junkie like me! I'm considering giving the silver Diamond with a good set of pads a try next year... unless, of course, I can find a Nike for under $700!!! :GL:

That's ridiculous. Twice as much as a Wilson titanium. The only way I'd pay that much for a mask is if it came with a money back guarantee that a baseball would never hit it while I had it on my head!

Just remembered this one: I went out last year with too much! I had gotten dressed (and looked sharp!), but right before game time my partner decided he wanted to wear a long sleeve shirt instead of his pullover on the bases. When he did this, I opted to take my pullover off and wear a plate coat. Trouble is, I didn't take off my ball bags, so I was out there all night with baseballs in my coat pockets wearing ball bags. I felt a little like a dork, but didn't think anyone would notice. AC for one of the teams used to umpire. About the third inning he came by and said, "You should never run out of foul balls. You've got room for two dozen!"

I used to have problems after my stuff would go through the laundry. I had two boys who played ball, and many times I had to search for my stuff in their rooms. After my older son got married, I converted his bedroom into a home office and have all my sports memorabilia there. After a game, I now take my Diamond bag in there. I also have all my umpire/referee gear in the closet in that room. I keep my laundry in a wet clothes bag and send it though the washer together. Then it goes back to my room, where I can put it back in the bag. This organized system has helped a great deal. Who says the empty nest thing doesn't have advantages? Over 17+ years, I've forgotten just about everything at one time or another. The only thing I forgot this year was minor - but embarrassing. I got to the plate and realized I didn't have my plate brush. We had dressed in a gym locker room, but it was across the parking lot, so I asked the young guy I was with to go get it between the plate conference and first pitch. He complied, but everyone was ready to start before he got back. Everyone except me & the coaches thought he had to go to the restroom! I had a partner who showed up once without a cup. He had his jock, but couldn't find his cup. I had an extra (always) and handed it to him. He refused and said he had done this before. So he took the throat guard off his mask and stuck it down in his pants! Luckily no shots that day!