AL-Ump

Thanks guys for the kind comments, but this modification wasn't created by me. One of my umpire buddies did it to his bag years ago and I've seen a few different versions over the years. I'm glad I was able to share the modification with you! Hopefully it help keep the contents of your bag a little safer!

I've seen someone use the 1/2" tubing and to me, it looks a little flimsy, especially with the length of the Force 3 bag's side. If it was divided into sections, maybe it would be better - but I'd be a little nervous about the pounding that goes on in a normal flight load/unload. It just didn't seem sturdy to me. The stiffness (strength) is a function of the pipe diameter used - actually a squared function. Going from 1/2" to 3/4" pipe yields a 71% increase in the strength - almost double.

Here's a couple pics. 3/4" PVC pipe from Home Depot. Think it was 2 of the 10' sticks plus 8 of the corners. The tricky part is to get a really good fit, you have to cut the material and assemble it inside the bag. If you put it together outside it will never fit in. No glue, just held together with compression and fit. I carry my shoes and equipment on top and my unmentionables in the bottom. Clothes in a separate hang up bag (Honigs).

Sweet - thanks for the update! I didn't mean the question as a "gotcha", I just wanted to make sure the zippers were not a systemic issue. On my Force 3, I've made an inner support structure out of PVC pipe that keeps the bag's exterior shape and offers some protection to the bag's contents. It creates an inner frame for the exterior skin. Have you done anything like that to your Ful?

Greeting fellow umpires I know @MadMax has a Ful Workhorse and likes it. In a post I saw from back last year he said how great the bag is, but then said that all of the zippers had been replaced. Does anyone know if this is a common problem? How long do the zippers last? Is the bag a great bag in spite of sucky zippers? Just curious. My F3 bag is not long for this world and I'm looking for it's replacement. Thanks! Al-Ump

I have an Oakley "Vault" case that can be used for M-Frames or Radar EV. Also have a G30 lens for a Radar EV. $40 plus shipping.

I think I may be one of the last people to receive an order from +POS. I got the contact's phone number in May 2019 and arranged for a Black Zero G Mask. Paid for it and it showed up the next week. Easy peasy. The pads on it were weird though. They were like memory foam with moisture wicking material, but every time they compressed there was a crinkle sound - like you were folding a bag of chips. I changed the pads to Honig's leather pads and still have the old ones in my Equipment pile. Still have it as my back up mask.

I was looking for some plate shoes over at Purchase Officials and saw they are advertising a mask called the Zero G. Last mask I heard that was called the Zero G was from Plus POS: Just wondering if you all had seen this..... AL-Ump

I purchased a black powder coated mask from @Whosyourcaddy at the beginning of last season and can confirm that it's a great mask! Great, long lasting powder coat - been an awesome gamer! If you're looking for a mask, this is the real deal.

So an update - I got the Nuttshellz cup and a Diamond MMA jock. The cup is...OK. I really, really dislike the jock. Maybe I'm not wearing it correctly, but the straps that are supposed to go around your legs don't seem to have enough material and are super friggin tight. Anyone know where I can find an instruction manual for this thing? Thinking about cutting the leg straps off and just using it like a regular jock. Open for ideas.

So will the MMA cup work with the floating jock strap?

Whelp it's time for a new equipment purchase. I currently use an original NB with a single layer NB jock over compression shorts. Top it off with an over layer of 3/4 length tights and that's my set up. I took a 1 skip shot this weekend (thanks catch). Doubled me over but no pain - just pressure. While undressing, I found that the cup had welded itself to the jock where the contact was made and I had to pull them apart. Now I want to get something more up to date... I'm looking at the updated NB, the MMA and the Nutshellz. For the MMA and the Nutshellz - will I need to get a different jock? One with a cup pocket, or can I use my "floating" jocks that I have now? I've heard good reviews on the MMA cup and seen some in the archives on the site. Anyone have any luck with the Nutshellz? I know it's pricy but I don't mind paying for the best gear (it's a tax write off anyways) and if it's more comfortable I might try it. Please let me know your opinions!

@Thunderheads Lock it up please

Yes

All Star Mag in good shape. Couple places where the paint got chipped. Repaired with automotive paint. No harness at the moment but I can dig one out if you don't have one. $180 shipped.