JeBa

I agree with using a sharp kitchen knife to remove the billow pad stitching...worked for me too. I also had Michael from UmpGuard (Umpiresrock74) install new padding...which has been an awesome investment. Lowered the profile a bit - excellent protection. Also updated to a newer UmpLife harness. See photos here:

After 1 full season with my UmpGuard updated Platinum (new replacement pad - Sept 2024), I am extremely happy with the fit, protection, quality & service that Michael's team provides. Keep up the great work Michael! Jeff B.

I have the current V3 New Balance plate shoes & they're good. I may be in the minority here, but I still prefer the fit & instep guard design my old New Balance plate shoes provided (see snipped on-line image). They eventually split across the eyelets under the front of the guard (behind the toe box). I found a new pair of the V3 version on Amazon for $85 this Spring, so I didn't bother to see if my old plate shoes were repairable.

Sent you a PM

1st game with the refurbed Platinum 2 nights ago. 11-12yr LLBB, inside foul ball straight back in the slot to the left side of the chest plate....although I saw the pitch deflect off the bat & heard it hit me, I didn't feel any discomfort at all....just some slight pressure as the plastic plate & padding absorbed the velocity of the ball. Not much of an example, but I was impressed. Jeff

Update: Wilson Platinum refurb I could've bought a new CP as a replacement but my Wilson Platinum is still in very, very good condition (protective plates & structural rivets)....and after my years of use, it has formed to fit me well....so after reading this community's threads regarding a chest protector rebuild/refurb, I decided to go that route. After some conversations with Michael (Umpiresrock74) at Ump Guard Retrofit LLC, I agreed to let his team perform their magic on my old Wilson Platinum after my tournament season was done at the end of July. The refurb process took about 3 weeks. Michael is a good communicator. He initially sent me samples of his materials & then kept me up to date with the status of the refurb. I received my "new" chest protector late last week - WOW! Excellent craftsmanship/sewing, materials and fit....(see new photos - compare to old protector/padding photos). I installed a new Ump-Life harness & T-hooks (from Ump Attire). It'll be a couple of weeks before I get a chance to wear it during Fall Ball games....can't wait! Thanks Michael (Umpiresrock74)!!!

Love it!!!!

Sometimes it seems the hat falling off is a purposeful strategy....the batter's eyes are trying to track the ball coming out of the pitcher's hand.....and all of a sudden there is also this hat fluttering down in the batter's line of sight (albeit after the release of the ball). I would find it distracting. And I do find it distracting....on the TV!

It drives my nuts that many LL pitcher's hats fall off their heads after almost every pitch. Am I being a RedA$$ ? 😣 😀 Seems that this has been a trend over the past few years. Jeff

Saw Cam last night in Bristol at the CT vs NY Metro Regional elimination game. He was on 1B & looked great. He's on the plate today (ESPN 8/8/24) for the MId-Atlantic Regional elimination game Washington DC vs Maryland.

I met Cam while we were attending the 2024 LL Umpire Academy in Bristol in April. He's a very impressive & well spoken young man and will go far in his umpiring career if he chooses to continue. Goes without saying that his mechanics were top-notch. Jeff

Hey Michael - I appreciated chatting with you as well. I'll be in touch again when the LLBB/SB & travel season is over up here in the Northeast. Best regards, Jeff

@Umpiresrock74 - I've sent you a message with photos - I'm very interested in getting my older Wilson/WV Platinum body & shoulder padding replaced....rivets & plates are probably ok....I already have an Ump-Life harness (with T-clips) that I think is still serviceable. Please advise estimated cost & lead time for the refurb this Fall (2024). Best regards, Jeff

Hey @Umpiresrock74.........I am very interested in getting my old Wilson Platinum refurbished with new body & shoulder pads. I've sent you a message/request for info and pricing with photos. Thank you. Jeff

Maybe it's just me or the TV camera angle, but it seems that the plate umps are making a concerted effort to call balls / strikes based solely on the catcher's glove location after the pitch is received, instead of the path of the pitch thru the strike zone. I know glove location sometimes can be an important characteristic or tool for helping to judge the pitch...but man, a lot of pitches looked awfully good (inside/outside) to be counted as a ball. Jeff

thanks guys..must the short height factor . I've previously only worn Fechheimer, their waist rode a bit high too....but not as much as the Smitty poly spandex Jeff

Does anyone know what brand / model of umpire pants they are using in the 2018 Little League World Series? I like the Smitty Poly Spandex pant material from Ump Attire....(I have a pair of the plate pants).However, the crotch is very long & the waist tends to rise high into my mid section.The pants worn by the LL World Series officials seem to provide a better fit - visually.....maybe I'm just too short Jeff

is this the same Smitty/Douglas chest protector? https://www.blowyourwhistles.com/collections/chest-protector/products/smitty-by-douglas-chest-protector ........I know it doesn't have the gap protection near the armpits (neither did the refereestore item) - but price is better at $189. Jeff

thanks for the input. what about the 3n2 patent leather low-cut plate shoes - any thoughts? Apparently these 3N2 shoes only come in D width - I'm typically wide (2E) - would these 3N2 shoes still be suitable...or size up? thanks, Jeff

Hi all, Re-opening this old topic about the New Balance 460v3 plate shoes. I'm considering these as new plate shoes - but I'm very concerned about the large areas of mesh/cloth fabric on the shoe being very difficult to keep clean or that they's require brushing & washing after each game....(if brushing is constantly required - seems that the mesh/cloth fabric would be damaged or deteriorate after awhile). Now that these have been in play for more than a full season - what's been your experience with the V3 (quality, field performance, cleaning). Maybe the previous 460v1 (v2?) plate shoes were better in some aspects? thanks, Jeff

oops - sorry - didn't pay attention to the "MAG" part of the thread title. I knew my mask was hollow steel.....and I'm still really liking it. Jeff

Sorry if my photos were too large - didn't know how to edit them for this forum. other notes for your refernce - my previous mask (& current spare) was/is a 2001 West Vest w/2 tone pads....(now recoated by Tony at Maskit & with +POS zero-G pads). Jeff

You mean this mask? I added the Mizuno throat guard and am in my 1st season with it - I give it very high marks for fit, comfort & protection. However, I have not taken any extreme shots directly to the mask yet....uh-oh, sure jinx now ;-) Jeff

Based on the USPTO filing date, I believe Joe West's patent would have expired 4/10/2015. But it's cool to review this historical patent document. Jeff

@JimKirk - any possibility of the Poly-Spandex pants also coming in a flat front style soon - maybe just the base pants version? thanks, Jeff