Recontra

After one of the high schools we service reported that they had received complaints about indecent umpires in the parking lot, I went and purchased an Official's Locker Room before my first game there. Sorry, but the thing was totally "gay" (in a South Park sense). It was flimsy, any bit of breeze blew it everywhere, and after later spending 14 hours with my wife at home trying to figure out how to fold it back up, I took it back for a full refund. If you like it, great, it just didn't work for me. I'm often arriving in the parking lot in a suit and tie, and get dressed in the back of my vehicle--at least until I've got my undergarmets, leggings, and undershirt on. However, what others have stated above about risk management and how times have changed is very pertinent. I also wouldn't want to give the appearance of disrespect if I had a female partner, regardless of whether she were uncomfortable or not. The risk that we face is substantial, and it gets worse every year. Don't be that guy. Don't be the guy who is eventually shown on the 11 o'clock news after being video taped by some mother (however briefly) looking allegedly indecent in a school parking lot as some teenage female athletes walk by. Don't be the guy who is eventually charged with indecent exposure who has to defend himself in court by claiming that while he might have been briefly exposed, he didn't do it to incite lustful thoughts in the teenage high school girls who were walking by, so he's technically not guilty of indecent exposure. Don't be that guy. There is eventually going to be that guy. But it ain't gonna be me, and I pray he doesn't have my association's hat on when he's eventually video taped. Then I'd have to admit that I know that guy. I get what you're saying above, Rulekeep, and I know your sentiments are shared by many. But I respectfully think you're wrong on this issue (or perhaps just naive--and I apologize for using that word). I wholeheartedly agree nudity is not inherently sexual. Unfortunately, guys like us won't be the ones deciding whether or not an umpire's alleged nudity was sexual. That's a fact question for the jury to decide. Last time I saw a jury, there were lots of moms and dads with teenage daughters on it. If you still doubt, let me pose this question: If you heard that your daughter's high school teacher was caught allegedly disrobing and allegedly videotaped nude in her high school parking lot when there were allegedly some teenage girls walking by, would you be surprised to learn that he was immediately fired? Are we really any different? Just sayin'.

Not saying you'd want to call time, declare an illegal pitch, and award a ball in an FED game for a pitcher doing this (seems like a lot of work for the PU to me), but here's an argument under the rules that might support an umpire who wants to practice those Illegal pitch signalling mechanics and have a long discussion with the DM afterwards: While the general rule in baseball usually is that if it isn't expressly prohibited it's allowed, the exception applies in FED to what a pitcher can and cannot do with his feet, where he must place them and how he can and cannot move them. The legal steps a pitcher can take are limited, and dependent upon whether he faces the batter from the set position or the windup position. Only the windup position expressly permits a step sideways. "With his feet in the wind-up position, the pitcher may only deliver a pitch or step backward off the pitcher's plate with his pivot foot first. During delivery, he may lift his non-pivot foot in a step forward, a step sideways, or in a step backward and a step forward, but he shall not otherwise lift either foot." "During . . . the set position until a delivery motion occurs, the pitcher may turn on his pivot foot or lift it in a jump turn to step with the non-pivot foot toward a base while throwing or feinting as outlined in 6-2-4 and 2-28-5, or he may lift his pivot foot in a step backward off the pitcher's plate which must be in or partially within the 24-inch length of the pitcher's plate. In order to change to the wind-up position, he must first step clearly backward off the pitcher's plate with his pivot foot first." Why would the rules tell you how to change to the windup position if you could do a "wind up" from the set position? But if you don't declare an illegal pitch with nobody on, maybe there's no need to balk him with runners on either if he does it for two (only half serious) reasons. If he establishes that his step toward 1st (or 3rd for a lefty) is a motion associated with his pitching motion, and if he then throws to 1st, then he's balked as well, because he was committed to the pitch when he threw to 1st. On the other hand, R-1 is already going to be at 2nd as soon as he takes that rocker step (just like he started a wind up), and if he's already throwing 92, he'll learn quick. There will be no need to say, "You, second base!" Hell, that runner is already going to be there by the time you call time. "You, stay there!" will be more like it.

I can now confirm (unofficially, of course) that under FED rules, if a batter has one foot on the ground inside the box and one foot on the ground entirely outside the box, and his body unintentionally touches a batted ball, that he's still going to be the batter when the next pitch is thrown. The parenthetical in FED Case 8.4.1(b) is apparently there just to confuse those charged with knowing and enforcing the rules. I may have possibly taken this year's test twice and may possibly have changed one answer to see what effect it might have on my score.

OBR = Both feet have to be in NCAA = No foot can be completely out FED = One foot has to be completely in I'm still not positive that's the correct formula, even in OBR (even though I confess I saw a MLB video last season where a batter was called out and his lead foot was in the air and never touched dirt outside the box when his lead leg touched a fair batted ball). Here’s a quote from Evans’ Maximizing the Two Umpire System: "14. Batted Ball Hitting Batter. There are going to be times when the batter is hit by a batted ball. The ball may touch him immediately after hitting the bat or it may hit the ground before touching him. In all cases, the ball is immediately dead when it touches the batter. He may still be in the batter's box when this occurs or he might have left the box. The contact may occur in fair territory or it may happen in foul territory. These are the factors that must be considered in this deceptively simple play. . . . . . . . . . . . . If the base umpire sees the ball hit the batter while still in the batter's box and no immediate signal is given by the plate umpire, the base umpire should aggressively call "Time!", point at the batter, slap the portion of his body that was hit, and signal the batter back into the batter's box . . . . . . . Even though the batter may be touched by the ball while in a portion of the batter's box that is in fair territory, he is not out. As long as he is still in the box and does not intentionally interfere, he is not out for "being hit by a fair ball." . . . . . . Rule clarification: If the batter has either foot on the ground entirely outside the batter's box when the ball touches him, he is considered out of the box." My question would be: If the OBR standard is based upon both feet having to be in, why would Evans and Nelson have that bolded Rule clarification? Are there really two standards in FED for (a) a batted ball striking the bat a second time and (b) a batted ball striking the body of the batter/batter-runner? If not, why the bolded parenthetical in Case 8.4.1 b?? "The batted ball bounces off the plate and hits B1's (a) leg or, (b) bat a second time while B1 is holding the bat in the batter's box (no foot is entirely outside the batter's box)." So is there a definitive answer under NFHS/FED rules? And is it just an unwritten convention? Seems kind of surprising that there's a "foul ball" we all call at least once a game, and it ain't even in the rulebook or the casebook. Where is the rule to be found?? I know Little League has basically adopted OBR rules, but by convention, the batter basically gets a step and a half. In watching NCAA Women's Softball, it seems like there they almost give the batter 2 full steps.

"Still scratching my head on the issue with the Force3 shin guards having hard plastic on the outside. Let me get this straight. Padding. Kevlar inside padding. And another layer of hard plastic on the outside of the shin guards in the front section. So, three different types of protection and there is some question about the protection this product is going to provide you? Seriously?" kind of sums up my puzzlement as well. Santa left some Force3 shin guards under the tree. I immediately put them on over my Wranglers. Fit tight, very low profile, ultra light weight, as well as an extra layer of kevlar protection undoubtedly for some additional lateral dispersion of force in addition to the plastic and foam layers which provide direction of force protection. After I had them on for about an hour, I forgot they were on my legs. Jumped into my truck to go to a convenience store and noticed they were still hugging my shins--how silly did that look? That never would have happened with my Wilsons. It's impossible to not notice when those are still on. I like the Force3's so far, and am glad Santa came through for me. I have enough confidence in the folks developing and marketing the Force3 products to give their new releases a shot before they've been fully forum-approved, but I certainly understand why perhaps most consumers want to wait until more thorough real life field test stories get circulated. Some guys buy the latest and greatest new electronic devices as soon as they are released. Not me. Some guys wait till the new electronic products have been more widely disseminated and tested by the masses. That's me. I don't criticize those who stand in line to get a new cell phone the day it's released. I actually applaud them, and I wait in earnest for their real-life feedback to help shape my decision to buy or not buy. Sometimes I wonder if some of the Force3 naysayers and arm chair critics (not all, but perhaps some) might have more of a personal concern with Jim Evans than with the umpire products the company he is associated with continues to develop and market--Notwithstanding cardiac arhythmia, of course. Heck, if I had cardiac arhythmia, I'd still have my Platinum, and would undoubtedly also have an additional ring shaped Wendy's pad circling my heart. If I had a broken fibula or tibia or problems with my lower legs, I'd still wear the bullet proof Wilson Pro black shin guards--the protection is worth the decreased mobility.

I've tried all of the above, and they all work great. I keep a RubberMaid bin of water and a little (just a smidge) of dish soap in my vehicle and a small brush. Knocks all the dirt and mud off quickly, then towel dry with an old wash cloth. Then I spray on Meguir's Supreme Shine Protectant. The New Balance plate shoes are NOT leather--and while I've Kiwi'd them to death, I can't get a decent high gloss polish on them. The Meguir's works great for that purpose. I also use it on my Reebock Field Magistrate base shoes (which are also leather) and it also works great. But I agree certain auto products are not designed for leather, so if you're going to hit your leather shoes with Meguir's or Armour All, make sure they are Kiwi polished to several thicknesses first, so the shiny layer sits on top of the polish and doesn't soak into the leather. Both manufacturers also make shine products specifically designed to polish leather seats. Basically anything we do is moot after the 1st half inning when our shoes are instantly covered in either dust or mud, but it's that 1st impression walking onto the field that makes the shine and pants creases helpful (if not necessary).

I've used the Wilson black Pro's for the past 4 years (but I confess I've only been umpiring for 4 years, so they're the only ones I've ever used). They are absolutely bullet proof. The difference between the Pros and the Platinums is that the Platinums appear to be a little more slender, but the Pros have the triple knee, and I can attest to the benefit of having that extra pad on top to protect more of the lower thigh. My criticism of the Pros are that they are bulky (you couldn't wear them with Combo pants for example--Gumby legs), and the extra bulk does inhibit mobility a bit (running up the 3rd baseline), even if just slightly. Additionally, the side ankle plates on the Pros are more substantial which invariably gives more protection there, but the drawback is that they won't "tuck" into your high top plate shoes (or they'll tuck, but they won't stay tucked very well). That doesn't bother me, because I'm not a shoe tucker. A criticism of both is that they have non-stainless steel rivets and clips which rust very quickly. Hasn't effected performance, but they are rusted. All the pads on the Pro (and I assume the Platinum) attach with Velcro and are easily removable and replaceable for washing. Another criticism is that the metatarsal plates are rivetted on, and as most guys wear plate shoes, the canvas straps connecting the metatarsal plates need to be cut off (or remove the rivets which would leave two holes). I bought them and a WV Platinum vest when I started, because I was honestly afraid of getting hurt. I'm 6'2" (perhaps I've shrunk a bit), and I purchased the 18-19" size. They are easily adjustable. I also see that Ump-Attire has the Pros on sale for $105, and the Platinums on sale for $80. Both are a great deal, and you can't go wrong with either in my "barely any experience compared to others" opinion. I've now lost the fear of getting hurt, and switched this year to an Unequal Chest Protector and couldn't be happier (more of my body is protected and much more flexible and lower profile--I can run better). I'm finding now after 4 years that I'd prefer a little lighter weight and lower profile for mobility more than a little more bullet proof. At age 50, anything that helps me get up the line or to the 3rd base side of the mound a little quicker will be a welcome addition. I already have plans to purchase some Unequal Shin Guards sight unseen as soon as they are released in October (for Xmas morning surprise delivery by Santa--I'm already practicing, "Wow, how did he know??").

Sounds like the new Unequal Technologies shin guards are scheduled to begin arriving in mid-October--in plenty of time to find their way under my Christmas tree. I haven't seen a picture of them yet, but word is they will be "competitively priced," they will have Kevlar in them (how much and where I don't know), they will have rust-resistant stainless steel rivets, they will have fully removable and washable padding, they will have heavy duty plastic side clips, they will be light weight and less bulky than many other shin guards on the market, and they will come in 3 sizes: 14.5", 16.5", and 18.5". Oh, yeah, and they will be black. Every year since I got married, Santa Claus always seems to leave me something under the tree after he gets done with everyone else. Blows me away that he always somehow seems to leave me something that's actually on my list (even in those years that I don't actually write out a list--which is basically every year--it's like the Dude somehow can read my mind). Something tells me Santa is probably going to be sticking some UE shin guards under the tree this year for me (just before finishing his scotch and turning out the light). And I'll be a willing guinea pig. I confess that I like this company, its dedication and focus on umpires, as well as its customer service. Umpire gear designed, developed, and tested by umpires. I'll continue to support the concept. I look at something like the Zig Magistrate shoes with those hideous white soles and stripes, and ask myself: "I wonder how many actual umpires Reebok consulted with prior to deciding those shoes were what umpires both needed and wanted?" I suspect the answer is "0."

End of Season Thoughts on the UE (replaced a Wilson Platinum). Worked high school JV, youth ball, and Little League. The original magical UE magnetic shield which made my chest impervious to impact for about the first 10 plates (high school--granted, better catchers) eventually wore off and I eventually got hit plenty of times. Felt every impact--but the force of every single one of the impacts dispersed laterally--just as advertised. No pain, mark, bruise, or other ill effect. Loved the low profile, light weight (it feels heavy off, just because it's so flexible/body conforming in the hand). The flexibility seemed to permit me to run easier--got up and stopped at the imaginary 45 more than ever before--in fact, I can't previously remember ever getting up to the 45 before a throw left the fielder's hand and thinking, "Gosh, I better stop right here." Did that plenty of times this season. The protector stayed put--never had to adjust it during a game, push it down, nudge it up, twist it, etc. I was always fiddling with the Platinum during games. Last LL game was last night (9-10 State Tourney). Lower Gut Check :-) I kept the lower abdominal extension on all season--so glad I did. First, like the rest of the protector, the lower abdominal extension fits tight to the body. Second, it seemed like I got hit in that lower abdominal extension more than any other place on the protector. No rubbing needed after any of the impacts. No abdominal spasms either--you know, the ones that hit the gut below the protector (with the Platinum, my tummy got pummeled plenty of times) that make you momentarily wonder whether you might have gotten the wind knocked out of you and whether you should call "time" because you might be fixing to double over. No problems like that with the UE. Took a shot last night to the left side of the lower abdominal extension. Whew. So glad it was there. I also left the underarm extensions on and rotated the shoulder pads forward a bit. Hard to judge pitching velocity, but I'm fairly certain that I got tagged with a few 80+ mph pitches and fouls. Can't say I felt any pain or discomfort after any of them. Took several shots to the lower abdomen that undoubtedly would have either knocked the wind out of me, bruised a lower rib, or made me rub and rub had I been wearing the Platinum. Constructive Criticism--The buckling system needs improvement. I agree with Jason that having the buckles behind the back keep them from getting hit, and don't leave a "bump" on the front of the shirt (like the Platinum buckles do). However, the thing is nevertheless a little inconvenient to buckle--you do have to twist and pull. Is it a skill that can easily be mastered with some practice (like removing your mask with an 8 stitch hat)? You bet. However, could the buckling system be improved? You bet. I think some elastic in the straps could be added. Some guys have indicated that they've purchased an Allstar Delta Harness from ump-attire and that it works great with the UE. I'm going to do that as well. But for the price paid, I shouldn't have to be buying an after market harness to improve the product. We get dressed and geared up in some awkward spots. Our gear should be designed to make that process easier, not harder. Other than that small (very small) criticism, I'm very happy with my purchase.

I'll chime in. Bought the Ultimates (base and plate) in Heather 4 years ago when I started umpiring (that's the color the local Little League district used). No issues with fading, ironed up great, washed them a ton (lots of Oregon mud to remove in various shades of black to red depending on the field). Always washed cold to luke warm water, and line dried. They were always dry within hours. BEST FEATURE: ADJUSTABLE WAIST. How many of us don't vary 20-30 pounds from year to year?? This season I started HS and picked up some Charcoal Ultimates, and after 52 games and many washings this spring, I've had no issues with fading, they iron up great, hold their shape as if new, and again dry by hanging (sometimes in my truck) within hours. Will probably get some Poly-Wools next season, because I agree they look just that much sharper. I have a hunch that if you're regular machine washing with more than a smidge of detergent and beating them up in a hot dryer, then you're destroying the fabric. That's true with any polyester fabric. If the tag says, "machine wash/machine dry" ignore the tag. Don't machine dry, and treat them as if they were "delicates" or permanent press. Honigs says they'll listen to recommendations, so here's mine: Put the flex waist on the Poly-wools or have two versions of them (one with/one without). I bet you'll sell many more of them. I have a hunch (just a hunch) that the Ump-Attire poly-wool pants were basically a copy of the Honigs (perhaps same factory) with the Ultimate adjustable waist feature added (and perhaps that's why they're not available any longer). Don't know--I do appreciate the adjustable waist band, and it works great. Also, fits my psychology. I'd probably fork out the extra coin for a pair of poly-wool pants I know will last me for 5 years, if I'm fairly confident they'll still fit at the end of 4.

Thanks to all. Picked up the Bell Expandable Clothes Bar at Walmart this morning for less than $10. Has the rubber spacers and covering over the bar so hangers don't slide and won't slide past the back seat. Fits my Ford F-150. I don't have the fold down hand holds, but the ends fit securely over the large plastic hooks above both of the rear passenger doors. Sits forward far enough forward that someone sitting in the back won't clonk their head, but far enough back that the clothes hang freely. Exactly what I wanted and needed. Thanks for all your in put. Ten well spent bucks.

Thanks.

I did a search, but couldn't find this topic discussed. As weekend tournament season gets in fuller swing, I need a better way to hang my various shirts and pants in my back seat. Saw a guy with a slick bar across his back seat, and afterwards thought he must be the most brilliant umpire who ever worked a game. I'll want to hang stuff in the back of my truck behind the driver's seat (view open for rearview mirror and passenger blind spot), but bar across the back would still work (can just not hang anything past the mid-point). Looking online, I've seen some that (1) hang from the two posts of the headrest, (2) a bar across the back that attaches to the hand holds above the rear windows, (3) a bar across the back that attaches to the clothes hooks above the rear windows, (4) a horizontal bar that runs parallel to the rear passenger window and hangs above the window either attaching to the hook or the hand hold. Don't want anything that rattles, is reasonably secure, and that most importantly doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Anybody have any suggestions?? What have you used that you liked and would recommend?? Thanks for any reply.

Diamond i-X3 also comes in black. Ultralight and it's $69.99 at ump-attire. Throw some tan or black Wendy's pads on it, and you've got supreme stylin' protection for less than $110 (plus you'll never get any skidders off the top of your head).

Took another sternum shot h.s. j.v.--I'm not a good judge of velocity--good pitchers throwing (I'm guessing high 70's perhaps 80?). I felt the impact, but again it just felt like I'd been slapped across my whole upper chest. A brief tingly feeling around my sternum, but nothing on the sternum where the impact was. I waited for "pain." There was none. The kevlar really does seem to spread the force of the impact out laterally. The one thing I have noticed is that this protector is so flexible, that I can run so much better. The same game there were two instances where I actually stopped at the 45 ft line up the 1st base line on grounders to 3rd and short to wait for a possible pulled foot. I'm 50, and have never before been able to get that far up the line for throws to 1st. Now get me some of those new Unequal shin guards, and my next goal will be to to beat BR up the line. Still all thumbs up for me with this protector. Don't miss my Platinum at all. And I left the lower abdominal plates on--as well as the optional underarm plates (they fit tight to the skin, so don't stick out like abdominal extensions on other protectors), and I've taken a few lower abdominal shots that hit those plates--would've hit "tummy" with my Platinum. When I squat, almost my whole abdomen is covered. I hope they'll drop the price again this summer so some more of us can check this protector out. $279 is kinda steep. I got it at the introductory price last Summer. So glad I did.

I, too, didn't like the stiffness of the black TW pads when I first got them, but I quickly noticed something positive about the stiffer pads--they permit me to wear my silver Diamond mask even looser compared to the Wilson wrap-arounds I had in my Dyna-lite. Every impact other than a straight on shot causes my mask to spin (sometimes completely off), and that redirection of force is part of the added protection in my opinion. Because the Wilsons were "squishier," I had to tighten my straps just a tad more. With the stiffer TW's, my mask stays put with the straps ultra loose. 9 high school J.V. and Freshman games this Spring (6 dishes), and haven't been hit once (except a foul to my sternum). First Little League game was yesterday. First pitch of the season goes untouched to my mask (spun it around). Second pitch goes untouched to my left lower abdomen (which was awesomely covered by my Unequal CP--would have been bruised with my Platinum). 5th pitch goes untouched to my solar plexes--again the Unequal was my buddy. Felt nothing on any of them, but got the flinches in the top of the 1st and unashamedly practiced aggressive (and probably not all that attractive) self-defense mechanics the rest of the game. Have the dish in a H.S. game Wednesday--hopefully won't be bailing--I'm sure I'll have to concentrate extra hard. But I'll be trusting my TW's and Diamond--and that's what will keep me in there.

5A junior varsity. Probably no more than low 80's. But it was hard enough that one of the managers asked if I was o.k. It was also louder than a Platinum shot (which obviously made me feel tough). No red mark. No nothing. I felt really nothing at all other than a loud slap to the protector--curious thing is that the ball dropped straight down as opposed to rebounding back toward the pitcher which happens a lot with the Platinum. My confidence comes from knowing that if I felt basically nothing at 80, I'll be perfectly protected up to at least 85-90 (which honestly I'm not going to be facing). I love this CP. It fits tight, is flexible, and allows me to get up the lines easier. Now I'd like to get some lighter weight shin guards (I have the West Golds--black--absolutely bullet proof, but bulky in a Gumby sort of way--I will eventually get up and set at that 45 on a grounder, I will, I will--and when I finally do, all I can say is that 1st baseman better damn well have pulled his foot).

Hey, I finally got hit. Sweet!! I can definitely attest to the "Use the Force3, Luke!" ball repellant characteristics of the chest protector. 7 high school games and nothing. I even had one J.V. game where the catchers on both teams were so bad that balls I was calling strikes were passing untouched to the backstop--and my zone gets criticized routinely as not being wide enough. My partner asked incredulously after the game how it was possible that I didn't get hit (anywhere). The Force3 was with me. That's all I needed. I was getting so confident, I thought about going without the Nutty Buddy. Why? I didn't need it, I had the Force3 with me. Game 8 I simply forgot to not put on the Nutty, and took an a good "umpire tip" sharp and direct to the sternum. It felt like a slap on my protector. I could actually feel the force of the impact dissipate laterally (just like the brochure says). No pain. No concern whatsoever. It sounded different than my Platinum and felt different as well, but it's hard to describe. The Platinum takes shots like a shin guard (as long as they're not lower rib shots)--you feel the point of the impact, but the ball simply bounces back. The Unequal just felt like a "slap" as the impact was felt over a wider area, and I couldn't honestly tell you exactly where it was because the impact was spread out over my sternum. I'm stoked to get hit again. I can't wait. What I really like is how far down my abdomen the protector goes with all the velcro plates attached. I feel very secure. So confident was I that I sold my Platinum to a guy I work Little League Juniors games with for $40 (he was using one of those soft-soft shells that's basically a catcher's protector with shoulder plates). Two big thumbs up on the Unequal from me.

Two big enthusiastic thumbs up for doing the first annual OUT Awards. Like many, I looked forward to the annual UMPY Awards that came out each fall, I appreciated the equipment comparisons and thoughtful reviews of Pete Reiser, and was sad to see him and his blogspot go off the grid. I sure hope it was not on account of health issues. Your list looks good. I own and use several of the "winners" and will undoubtedly try some of the others on the list, as I know the ones I do have are simply awesome products. As an umpire, I do have to call it as I see it, and I must raise my eyebrows if not question why you felt compelled to promote one of the two principal retailers over the other. My experiences with both Ump-Attire and Honig's have all been spectacular. Both businesses give a level of customer service and support that surpasses all the others. Both are unquestionably A+++ businesses. I've been a customer of both and will remain a customer of both. I understand why Ump-Attire gets plugged a lot by those who run this website, but making "Best Retailer" one of the original categories?? Come now. That was a little over the top. I've bought a mask and bags and other things from Ump-Attire, and have received superb customer service. I've purchased clothing, shoes, and many other items from Honig's and have likewise received outstanding customer service. I also like the guy at Cat-Sports.net. He has a more limited selection, but he's also a class act from start to finish. I just don't think it was intellectually honest of you to make your personal preference selection of "Best Retailer" one of the categories along the lines of "Best Base Shoes," "Best Chest Protector," etc. That is most definitely a foul. But, in general, Touchette!! Hope you will do more, as well as do some product comparisons, and am looking forward to your thoughtful list being an annual event.

Get the 4E's in a size that fits--your feet will thank you every time, especially on a multi-game day when your will feet swell before all is said and done. I measure out as an "E" or "EE" width, but I've got the 4E New Balance plate shoes (love everything about them), and 4E Reebok Field Magistrate base shoes. Lots of support and no lateral slippage, and by the end of a long day, my feet are never sore--I had the Honig's boot style plate shoes before, and I always couldn't wait to get my feet out of them in the parking lot after a couple of games. I'd undoubtedly now go with the New Balance base shoes--don't know what Reebok was thinking when they came out with their latest hideously white base and plate shoes--obviously they have no consulting umpires on their design staff. They do have an all-black version, but not in wide sizes. I just stained the white off my Reebok base shoes with a black Sharpie--have to repeat the process once a season or so. I also found the New Balance shoes to be fairly true to length size-wise--I think my plate shoes are an 11.5 EEEE (dress shoes are 11.5 E or EE), whereas I'd undoubtedly need a 12 to 12.5 if it were a Nike product.

"I've yet to read a single review of this contraption where someone states it's as good as a Gold. Just the opposite." I'd have to disagree. The only criticism and ridicule I've read about this chest protector is posted from people who've never used it, or who bought it and returned it without using it. From the people who have been using it, it appears the reviews are all positive, if not glowing. There are several guys on www.umpire.org who have been posting regular updates, many of which have taken serious shots to the chest and collar bone area and who rave about the protection. As far as the Gold goes, there is even one post of a former Gold user who was bruised for several days from a shot with the WVG, and who took a similar shot with the Unequal and felt nothing but dispersed pressure. I love my WVP, and have watched many a pitch bounce back toward the pitcher with it. But that's not why I bought this new UE rig, nor the reason I'd rather have something other than a football style bulky chest protector. I haven't used mine yet. But I'm certainly looking forward to it. I've also got the WVG shin guards, and have likewise never so much as felt an impact--balls all bounce back toward the pitcher. However, the maneuverability of the WVG shin guards leaves much to be desired, and if UE comes out with some light weight tight fitting shin guards that protect while maintaining mobility, I'll probably also give them a shot. Working a couple of two-man crew games on a hot Saturday (or the occasional solo game) where the ability to get from point A to point B in a hurry is important to making the right call would make me interested in checking out the UE shin guards when they are released. If I were a Major league or NCAA plate umpire who could afford to stay rooted behind the plate (or who could afford to take his eyes off the ball to do a fancy turn to the right strike-three call--because he's got 2-3 other guys watching what's really going on), then I'd probably be content to continue wearing my bulky bullet-proof WVP chest protector and WVG shin guards. But that's not the kind of games I work. If the lighter gear could knock a second or two off my 90' Home to 3rd split time, then I'm very interested. I have run around and sprinted with the UE chest protector on, and it's flipping awesome. Now just need to lose the Gumby legs.

Is everyone as ANAL Retentive in keeping their car or house clean as they are about keeping shoes or gear clean? That's funny--but true. I wear a coat and tie to work, and have lots of fairly expensive dress shoes--can't remember the last time I polished them--besides, the judge can't see my shoes over the bench. But I spit polish my Plate and Field shoes probably 3 times a season, and clean them after every game. Keep a can of Pledge in the truck--works great. I'll have to try the Pam on the soles, though. That sounds like a great idea (especially if it works). Here in Oregon there aren't rainouts unless the infield truly is unquestionably hazardous--any other way and we'd never get any games in--we usually have a "what happens if the ball plugs in the outfield and the fielder can't dig it out with reasonable effort" discussion at the plate talk. Standing water? It's relative--usually just point it out and tell the managers to make their fielders aware of it. I'll have embedded mud on my shoes every game until mid-May--and it's a hassle to remove. Pam could be the ticket.

Loved watching Gerry work the dish for game one. Wicked consistent by the book miniscule strike zone--a nightmare for a fast ball/change up pitcher like Verlander--I knew the Tigers were screwed the minute that first 94 mph fast ball on the corner was met with Gerry's silence. His head height and body were in the same place in the slot on virtually every pitch, every inning. Also couldn't help notice that he wasn't wearing a chest protector that he sells on his website. According to his website, his new and improved thicker DavisShield gives superior heart and shoulder protection ("Maximum Protection"), allegedly better according to his published "drop test" than either the Wilson Platinum or Wilson W (both of which his official website also sells). Yet Mr. Davis wasn't wearing any of the three, and appeared to be wearing a protector that is not even made any more--so I assume no one was paying him to wear it. Makes me wonder if the scientific "drop test" really is the best test for estimating the effectiveness of any given chest protector, although that seems to be the standard that all manufacturers utilize. Something smells. It makes me fear that I can't even trust the writing on the outside of my Fresh Scent RightGuard: "New and Improved!!" "Maximum Protection!!"

Think of the jock as just a loose outside layer that does nothing other than hold the NB loosely in place and that lets it move with you. The jock isn't there for jewel support. I wear UA HeatGear leggings for air conditioning and to keep my shin guards from rubbing my knees raw, so I use a little different set up. I wear a bikini style brief then the leggings, then the NB, with a loose Bicycle jock over the NB. I've taken many direct and bouncing shots that bounced back toward the mound to the sounds of giggles and gasps. I'd never go back to the traditional Shock Doctor set up with the cup in the pouch. Too easy for jewels or just the scrotum skin to slide under the traditional cup, and then you get that sick feeling because you get squished by the edges of the traditional cup, not the ball. I've tried using compression shorts, but they don't hold the jewels in place as well as a bikini brief, and putting leggings over compression shorts I find to be too many layers for a hot day.

Glad we got this question answered unequivocally for this guy, so there's absolutely no more ambiguity on which chest protectors would be best for him!! Actually, it sounds like there's consensus agreement that there are several chest protectors that would all do the job, and give him the confidence he needs to stand in there and not flinch or bail on a chest high inside pitch. I'm 6'2" and about 255 lbs--longer torso. I have a West Vest Platinum, and it does leave my lower ribs on each side covered only by foam (which is why I've now got an absolutely wicked Unequal Vest sitting here in my office as well). However, with the West Platinum, I have never so much as "felt" an impact that struck the protector (I have taken a pop on the lower outside ribs that smarted for a couple of weeks). I've had fast balls strike me directly on the sternum, and they just bounced back toward the pitcher--no difference than if the fast ball had struck my West Gold shin guards (or my Nutty Buddy). I know the West Gold provides at least if not more protection in the sternum area. If I had a heart condition (either surgery or like another on the forum who had a sternum impact that disrupted his heart rhythmn), I would feel really safe, relaxed, and confident with either of the Wilsons or the Allstar System 7. I don't have an Allstar, but I like the fact that it drops down lower and covers more of the solar plexus and those outside lower ribs. And absolute confidence in the gear is what's essential--as doubt, hesitation, and even a twinge of fear is not worth saving some pennies and having lesser protection just because someone else might think it's adequate for them. Me, I'm looking forward to strapping on my Unequal for reals this Spring (and not just in the mirror), and putting my cleaned Platinum up for sale. The Unequal is just simply wicked, covers everything and then some, but I'm also not one who sees fastballs much above 80 and my ticker has never been hurt. In fact, I'm thinking of getting an Unequal soccer shin guard to put on my left forearm--which invariably gets whacked and bruised 2-3 times per season (currently I use a painted black Nike shin guard that I wear when I get a forearm bruise that takes more than the rest of the game to heal). It's plastic plate doesn't absorb as much as I think/hope an Exo plate would--or at least it's worth $24 for me to find out.