AL-Ump

I was thinking during the AS presentation the other day that the Skull Cap would be kinda cool to have, but there are 2 glaring issues for me (a college SB umpire): 1. Skull Cap is only available in black right now (we use navy). I know I could paint it but...... 2. All conferences have their own logo-ed hats for conference games. I would have to try and find stickers for all the conferences I call and that would be a HUGE PITA. Looks like the MLB guys are figuring it out - Check out the video @ 43 seconds: I was looking on Ump Attire and saw the Unequal Uncap: https://www.ump-attire.com/Baseball-Umpire-Equipment/Gear-Footwear/Supplemental-Protection/UE-UNCAP_Unequal-Uncap-Protective-FlexShell Anyone use this? I have an All Star Mag mask so I'd like to get a little more protection in the forehead area. I think they said something in the All Star presentation about additional protection on the upper pad for this mask but I was confused if AS was coming out with an improved pad or if the Skull Cap was the improvement. Thanks for your opinions!

I think @Razzer was making something like that. Might want to message Ray. He's the best!!

@JimKirk I'm a NCAA and USA umpire. I've been told the reason we abide by these uniform spec is SPECIFICALLY to look different than baseball umpires. When I first started, I had a pair of charcoal Gerry Davis pleated plate pants and boy, were they comfortable. It almost felt like having nothing on! Life was great until I umpired a game with a college guy and he said "don't ever wear those pants again". I would love to go to charcoal, to pleats. I would love even more going to white on a shoe - I really dislike the all black base shoes currently on the market and would like to have more options. Alas, it is what it is. The current SUP (head umpire) I believe would be open to change, however just because it's "allowed" doesn't mean you can really do it. Take pleats - there's nothing in the official's manual about it. I've seen people wear them in games, good umpires too. They won't wear them on TV games though. If an assignor saw you with pleated pants on TV, they would be on your butt. If they saw you in them a second time, there wouldn't be a third. One option for you might be to limit the amount of heather pants you offer. Looking on your site, there are lots of options. Unfortunately they are all Smitty pants. You might sell the Smittys to park ball guys but almost everyone I know uses Fechheimers, Honig's or Gerry Davis. At higher level softball, the only pants worn are Fechheimers purchased off the USA website. Plate and Base, no combo BS. Last time I saw a guy with Smitty pants, they looked terrible. The pants had an awful silver color to them and the umpire looked ridiculous. Not sure if you can make inroads with Fechheimer (never seen them sold anywhere else) but you could do us all a favor a kill the silver Smittys.

@Thunderheads Please lock it up!

What level of Softball do you call? I have some college contacts for Juco.

First games of the Summer on Saturday. Alabama opened up for sports last week. Supposed to be 85 and sunny on a turf field. "Friendly" format - no trophies, teams just trying to get in game shape. The rules specifically say "no plate meeting"!! Most of the teams are Elite - National Caliber level and are filled with Power 5 prospects/commits. After having the college season stopped mid March, I'm looking forward to getting back after it!

I think @Razzer is making some gap protection as well.

What about Honig's pads? I've heard they are really good but am wondering about the fit on the +POS.

https://www.samuraigears.com/

I work softball as well and live in Alabama, where it will be 95 degrees with 85% humidity - just brutal. I agree with you on the new USA shirts - they're pretty good. If you are wearing plain, there are two shirts that are the best: 1. Cliff Keen MXS: https://www.gerrydavis.com/product/B05SH20MX21/Cliff-Keen-MXS-Moisture-Wicking-Umpire-Shirt.html?cid=6 2. Smitty V2 "Body Flex" Shirt: https://www.mcssl.com/store/1-stop-sports/smitty-body-flex-powder-blue-short-sleeve-shirt I looked for them on Ump Attire, but they don't carry them. I think they have the Smitty but in MLB panel/alternate colors. The link I posted is solid powder and the shirt is REALLY nice. Only issue is that it shows sweat easily but hey, it's friggin HOT!!! The shirts are a little pricey, but you get what you pay for in this case. I have two chest protectors - One I use during college season that has pretty much full coverage; I've modified it for 6 months after inspiration from @MadMax and @Razzer and am finally happy with it. I also have a second CP for Summer ball that offers less protection but is much cooler. Summer ball girls typically aren't throwing as hard as the D1 girls so I take my chances for a little more comfort. Link to the Honig's SB CP here: https://honigs.com/honig-s-elite-fastpitch-protector.html . I would advise NOT wearing it for baseball. Hope this helps!

Smart timer?

The outside protector pre dates my umpire career. How did you hold the thing? Left arm? If so, how'd you take off your mask? How did you make a "safe" call?

Looks like it ended early @ $800.

I purchased a Zero G earlier this year and it comes with black "Cool Mesh" pads. Was thinking of changing the pads out to something else. I bought some Wilson wrap around pads (Ump-Attire), but I couldn't get them to fit. Maybe I'm an idiot, but I tried for a couple days, watched the video UA has, but couldn't make it happen - at least looking as good as they do at the UA site on a Wilson mask. Different shape maybe? Guessing that I can put on Team Wendy pads - Can anyone confirm they will fit? I have an All Star Mag and am familiar with their pads, but not a fan of the thin top pad.

Anyone on here use a massage gun to help their legs recover? I'm kinda looking around, thinking about buying one. Everyone I've talked to about them absolutely LOVE them. Have a couple guys I call basketball with that use them on a daily basis on their legs, arms and chest after games or workouts. Is it worth the $200 to get a good one?

Did you all see the video from Ray @ Umplife on his FB page? Looks like he's going to be getting into the replacement pad business. He wants to offer pads similar to the Mag pads but with the reinforcement on the top pad as well as the bottom pad. I think it sounds great and am looking forward to the product!

Yup, 15". I apparently can't tell my 3's from my 5's. Sorry

Yep

I have a 13" I've been trying to sell.

I ordered a mask this Summer. I texted Dan before placing the order and got nothing....for like a couple weeks. Follow up text was replied to that day. Placed my order and the mask was at my door in like 3 days. I read on here that someone else had suggested this method of correspondence with Dan. It worked for me. Hope you have good luck on this order!

If you're doing Fast Pitch, patent leather is definitely frowned upon for most situations. If you're doing park ball or C class tournaments - who cares. If you're doing anything that remotely looks like REAL softball, steer clear. People will think you're a park ball/C class umpire. The NBs are shiny to start. That lasts about 3 plate games, then you get the shoe shine out. My guess is to make a good first impression and improve sales. I used the Mags for years starting out, then went to the old NB high top. I switched to the low top a couple years ago and recently ordered my second pair.

Additionally, I used a hairdryer to form the shoulders and make it fit better. Thanks for the inspiration @MadMax - without looking at your posts on your mods I wouldn't have tried doing tricks to mine!

Was goofing around on the site and went down a rabbit hole - found this. @The Short Umpire Just going to throw my $.02 in...... This is the CP that I currently use for Softball. I bought it on Epic Sports for $40 and spent several months modifying it. Had to take it half apart so that it would accept an Umplife harness (or any other harness). The stock harness and clasps to the CP are trash and had to be replaced. I also removed the extra side rib protectors, removed the throat foam thing, changed out the shoulder pads to my old Honig's (cause it looks better) and removed the gap protection. Took a long time, several trips to the fabric store and me learning how to sew through plastic by hand. Pretty big pain in the ass, but I wanted something that was cool (live in Alabama) and offered more protection than what I had: I just got a promotion to Power 5 non conference and those girls are hitting low 70s. Don't want to break a rib. The CP looks good on, breaths well and I feel protected. But....... For Baseball?? I would be REALLY careful. I don't think it offers good protection for the ball speeds you see. Wouldn't recommend it for more than lower levels of HS and without spending time/money to modify it and get it to fit, you'd probably get frustrated and toss it. I know I wanted to a couple times, but in the end I got the 3DO foam that @MadMax loves and some plastic plates for extra protection. Hope this helps

I was given the tip a couple years ago to use Wintergreen Isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle: https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/walgreens-isopropyl-alcohol-70-wintergreen/ID=prod6373279-product I was using Febree, but my mentor explained that the alcohol will actually kill the bacteria that makes your equipment stink, and the Wintergreen is a nice scent. Been using it since. I'll wash my equipment with a soap and water from garden hose about once a month when it's hot.

While it's hard to let your hobby go, it sounds like it's for a worthy cause! I commend you on your tough decision! I hope that time will bring you back to the field but know that you will be missed by the players, the coaches (), and your fellow blues.