T-Rav

10 years or so, God willing continued good health, and I want to retire to a year round baseball area. Well, let's call it semi-retire and umpire "full time" Hook up w/ Rolando and rock that big peninsula that they call a state! Too much rain here, I'd go to Arizona plus I don't want anyone stealing my games.

I've had the Rawlings TI since February, I love it too. It is a great mask at a great price with the discounts that homerunmoney.com has offered in the past. I wear mine with a 6" TG and TW pads and it has served me well. In-fact, I have two of them, one I had powder-coated gold and I rock that with tan TW pads.

@Umpire in Chief would you use a Force3 helmet if they make one? They are making one. Saw it at the Jim Evans Clinic in AZ. Expected release is March I believe. Any other new toys from Unequal that you got a sneak preview at?

I've got both an Unequal and a TW L/XL Gold and they are very similar in weight. I personally like the Unequal more due to its fit and comfort when worn but I've taken very few shots over the last year and a half with it so I really can't comment on how well the protection is against hard shots but thus far I am a very satisfied Unequal customer.

Which deal is that? Didn't see it posted here. 25% off HomeRunMonkey.com

Our HS season starts the first week of February and we likely won't get a schedule until the last week of January. In the meantime I will get to call roughly 60+ HS basketball games starting Monday.

I've had the eTech for almost 2 years now and it has held up pretty well. I've only taken it for umpire purposes on 2 flights and I had it completely stuffed. Compared the larger WIlson/Diamond/Champro bags the eTech is seems pretty small but you should be able to fit all of your gear and accessories in without issue. For the large majority of my games I operate out of my car and I keep the bag in there for the whole season. For some larger tournaments we have changing rooms which permit me to utilize my motherlode and it works out well. Like Slo, I have all of my uniforms hung and pressed on hangers which will travel on the outside of the bag. I'd strongly suggest the eTech and since purchasing it, I have purchased additional eBags branded bags for my own travels, I would strongly suggest their eBags crew cooler if anyone is interested in a well constructed and well designed cooler with a lifetime guarantee.

Not hard at all.

I've had a slow baseball fall, I've only worked around 10 games this fall but with football (youth, JV, & varsity) and volleyball I am working everyday and I am going to be more burned out than during the baseball season because in volleyball and for the most part football, we do not have rainouts or canceled games. Then basketball season starts and I really start to loose my sanity with an intense basketball game everyday.....

Added a delta flex, removed the neck extension, and moved the shoulders down more towards the front so there was no gap in the protection.

I prefer my unequal to my retro fitted gold, it just feels much more comfortable. While the protection is inferior to the gold, I do not routinely face 85+ pitchers and I have been hit numerous times in my UE and I am satisfied with the protection. My advice is if you have the funds, call up Jason and see if you can still order the UE CP for the $150 special price, like the shins, you won't be disappointed.

I don't think I've seen any so far and would take some except mine is tapped up so it wouldn't be helpful. Basically take your original gold t-hook straps and use those little clips like the ones that secure the neck straps and thread them through, then cut off the excess material when you have the desired fit and tape it so it stays secure. Using both the allstar original straps and the old gold straps, you should have plenty of material necessary to accomplish this. You can also take this to a shoe repair store if you want to pay the extra cost to have it sewn instead of using the clips and tape. I've used my method for 2 years on a gold without any issues.

Did you add the gold straps to the t-hook straps or is it straight delta flex harness? I think you will need to add them either by sewing them together or taking one of those buckles that is used to keep the shoulder straps in place and threading both threads through and taping them.

Good choice, I've got both and the Bauers, I still like the Bauers the best but the unequals provide the best protection and don't weigh a ton.

I do the same and find it easier to do with the Delta Flex harness I'll third this notion, that's exactly how I put my CP on. Fortunately I have used the delta flex for almost two years without any issues.

How much are they from allstar directly? How much did they charge for shipping?

Glad you like it, I have one and liked it but now I have too many good CPs (Unequal & WVG W/ TW Retro) and will likely be selling it. I would be surprised if MLB guys are wearing it, they get free WV's and free TW retros....

Someone wants some free samples.

That's actually a brilliant idea, especially for us who run mountain trails and such. Sounds like somebody wants to get some umpires phone numbers, besides Greg Gibson's of-course.

I love my balloon CP, it offers superior protection and on those really hot days you can just wear an undershirt or go sans shirt if you want to work on your tan and in between pitches you can prop it over your head and use it for shade for F2 and you, it will do away with that silly sunshade in your mask, your partner may even want to confer with you just to hide from the burning sun. Seriously there are times when I really want a balloon like when I get coerced into becoming the backstop for any under 12U game but I quickly quash those perverse thoughts when I imagine myself on Youtube rocking a balloon and being the subject of a UE thread. Big fat, no to the balloon unless of course its throwback Wednesday and you sport the matching tux to go along with it.

Any one notice Angel's innovative plate stance? He needs to hide them arms behind his back so that he can fly away when selling his safe calls?

I use a similar type sock for basketball officiating and they definitely help, thought I do not wear them nor do I find them necessary to wear in baseball.

<br /> <br />M

They enjoy being called blue?

What repairs did you need to get done to the UE CP?