GerryB

Liked the look of the Samuri armor, but everyone said it was a blast furnace!

Right, the Vintage (Douglas/Wilson) West Vest was what Joe West came up with during the Riddell/West patent wars. The Power could not be sold but the WestVest could. The most significant difference is that the cardio plate is held on by Velcro. This creates more flexibility/space - "energy dispersion" - before pad contact. Cool, but with a good hit it can pop off the velcro, requiring a couple of moments to get it back in place before continuing! Late of JaxRolo with (white)caps added. http://www.firstcoastumpires.com/Video/New_Douglas.JPG

Take a look back to Fittske24's thread and post on this page. It shows a good picture of the Riddell v. the Gold. I think they are the most similar, but you can see the differences; shoulder/gap protection on the Gold; also plastic on the pec plates, etc. http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/topic/49586-list-of-chest-protectors-worn-by-active-mlb-umpires-as-of-10172012/page-3

Yes, definitely. The lower profile behind the Wilson plates makes it worth it. Makes the WV as slim as the Douglas, but more platage, so to speak. Down sides, a little heavier, but not noticeable when you're wearing it. The TW pads do widen the plates a bit, I think I saw this mentioned somewhere. I did take a shot between the plates, straight TW. I noticed it, no pain. All in all worth the money.

Did it get a plastic plate or straight TW? I've had shots to bear TW and I agree with you.

OK, had my WV refit last year, and while I've had the usual glancing upper body shots nothing that has been a real test of the TW pads; I was still unconvinced since it wasn't the Wilson "pillow" padding. Had a bad catcher last night in a semi-pro game, took a foul *** from the bat straight to the plate below the WV plate. I was really surprised, got the old WV thud, but "I didn't feel a thing". Count me sold again.

Don't know for sure but mine (Douglas) is 1994 and I was told it was one of the first.

I think those are fine choices; just a word of caution. When I worked years ago with youth league newbies, you have you make sure they work the slot properly with the inside protectors, otherwise they stand in the worst places/heights and become ball magnets, and then they either figure it out or stop umpiring. Guys who worked with me felt that the "raft" was the best way to start; good protection no matter how you stood except of course, sideways. I got assigned the kids who insisted on inside protectors.

I understand where you're going with that Gerry, and I agree actually .......... but I wouldn't go "gold" ......if you're going to lean in that direction, I'd prefer like a champagne color? if that makes sense It does, but isn't champagne more of a Saturday night party color?

With cream shirts?

That WV Original must be 10+ years...original pads? How are they holding up? Curious because I'm trying to figure out if reconditioning is enough for mine, or just replace the pad, which would be blue and $$$.

Still creasing after all these years.

All good points regarding costs. On the other hand I've had mine for over 15 years, paid ~ $150 back in the day. Completely worth it. Never had an issue or pain except for that one shot right on the knee cap, which seems to be a weakness/hazard for all shin pads based on other threads.

Yes, they were. I had the Joe Brinkman endorsed and worn BB203 to start. I have a pair of their MiLB plate pants that may be the best fit I own, I just don't were heather gray that often anymore.

@Majordave Interesting thought. I use 2012s but have some 2014s I bought on sale from Honigs. Might swap them in earlier, which of course would guarantee I wouldn't get hit on the mask...

The level of self-righteousness is shocking.

http://m.mlb.com/video/v32950327/detbos-victorino-called-out-on-batter-interference Pretty clear.

+1 Without thinking I wore my base Zigs the first weekend series of the season and it rained. Mud packed the nooks in solid. Between work and daily umpiring it took me a couple of weeks to find time to clean them and back on the field...

OK I see it. I saw another straight on pic where the velcro straps all looked suspiciously new...

Riddell Power w/TW upgrade.

Used to wear a Yeager back in the day, then stopped, didn't think I needed it. Thanks to these threads I put one on this season. Guess what? Game #2 neck shot from a foul that drove the 4" dangler into my throat. It really stung but prevented a real injury; two things I learned - I needed it thanks guys - and I need a 6" as the 4" did catch the top of my protector but did not get enough of it to stop it.

Our association is required to buy Smitty's and the zippers don't have a good track record.

Hat Color/Brand/ 2-4-6-8 Stich: Black/Richardson/6 or 8 stitch Sunglasses Brand/Model: Optic Nerve Mask Model: Honigs, Silver, Black, Wilson A3009 black Mask Pads Brand/Color: Team Wendy's Black, Beige, Wilson Wrap Mask Harness Brand: Honigs/Wilson Chest Protector Brand/Model: Wilson/WV Gold (2) one TW, one Wilson; original Douglas WV Chest Protector Harness: Wilson Stock WV Shin Guards: Douglas 17" Throat Guard Yes or No: U-A Generic Black 4" Cold Gear Top: UnderArmour Navy Cold Gear Cold Gear Bottom: Eastbay Vapor Heat Gear Top: Nike Dri-Fit Heat Gear Bottom: Eastbay Vapor Sock Brand/Long or Short: ThorLo Black Cup Brand: Shock Doctor TitanFlex Pants Poly Wool Yes or No: No, Smitty required Long Sleeve Shirt Color: Black Smitty Short Sleeve Shirt Color: Black Smitty Plate Coat Color/Model: Black Fechheimer Jacket Style/Color/Model: Black Smitty Patent Leather Belt Yes or No: Yes Boston Brand Flat Black Leather Belt Yes or No: Yes, POS+ Base Shoe Brand: NB, Reebok Magistrate, Reebok Zig Plate Shoe Brand: Reebok Magistrate Low Black/White, Low Black/Black Shoes with White Yes or No: Yes and No, both Indicator Strike: Markwort Oversized Plastic 3-Dial Umpire Indicator Plate Brush Style: MacGregor Wood Pencil or Pen: Cheap click pen Line Up Holder Use Yes or No: No Gloves Brand/Wear Yes or No: Manzella PowerStretch Mock Turtleneck Yes or No: Yes; Smitty/McDavid/Mizuno/PowerTek Mostly black, association mocks in white and red.

Love mine. Easy roll, everything and I mean everything is in it.

@GerryB Why do masks nowadays have the reinforcing bars on the ear flaps? I've wondered and why Wilson changed. I don't think the Mizuno has them.