Rock Bottom

You can have association stickers made for the skully if you want - Matt Arcovio can get them (not sure if he's on here or not, but he's on Facebook and is an All-Star sales rep I think). They aren't exactly cheap, but if you only do one association they'd definitely be worth it. I can say from experience - I think you'll like the skully WAY more than the Uncap - it's just SO more comfortable, on top of being more protective, in my opinion anyway. I convinced 3 guys I ump with the give the skully a try, and none switched back to regular.

Even MLB umps don't wear "real" base shoes anymore.

Once everyone (or a large majority) start wearing them no one will even notice them. In a house-league I umpire in 3/4 of the umps wear an All-Star skull cap - haven't heard a coach or player even comment or ask about them this year. Last year when I did hear comments they were exclusively positive. The "looks" thing is just among umpires, I guarantee you that (hardly) anyone else notices, and even less care.

LOL! Yeah, I posted the two pics a while ago and felt a little bit the same, only because I'm more aggravated by the padding than the vent holes, but again, it's better than any previous skully so I'm not complaining - just commenting on where it could be better. (And now you know that brim shortening costs $10 ).

Just another example of how they took this helmet - MADE FOR CATCHERS - and only shortened the brim; that's why the yellow padding on the inside isn't at the forehead either. Flip the helmet around and wear it backwards (not for a game, for illustration) and put the mask on it, and you'll see the delta-flex leaves all the vents perfectly uncovered. I LOVE the AS skully, and realize that it's probably not economical for AS to make a true 100% ump only helmet - I'm just thrilled they made this with the short brim for us, because especially with the FM4000mag and steel, a regular brim is just too long and unsafe.

I've used both the UnCap (for about 200 games) and the Cobalt Skullcap (for about 300 games) and the skullcap is much better - both cooler and much more comfortable. That said, the UnCap was still very good - I have a 7-3/8 hat, and I actually didn't even need to upsize (I know some do) when I added the UnCap. The UnCap has plenty of protection around the head, but the skullcap is just much more so. If I didn't want the skullcap I'd go back to the UnCap, but I suggest giving the skullcap a try. I see a LOT of guys using it now, if not the Cobalt then other versions. Be a leader, not a follower.

The hard part about this is what's a "season." For some it could be 20 plates and zero bases, for others it could be 150 plates with 50 bases, etc. I'm at just under 600 games from 2019 to date. For some that's 10 seasons, for others it might be 2-3. My plate shoes (NB 460V3) are on their last legs - about 2/3 of those 600 games are plates. No way could I get close to 10 seasons out of them at this rate.

Hi all - has anyone tried using the All Star mag pads on a Wilson Dynalite? My friend has the Wilson and has taken some shots he's felt using Team Wendy's, so I suggested he give the mag pad a try. We no longer live close to each other, otherwise I'd just have him try mine. Will the mag fit the Dynalite models? Thanks!

Sorry, just saw this now. Contact Matt Arcovio on Facebook.

If it's just the sizing that's the problem, you can buy replacement pads of a different size. I use a mix of M and L pads and fits perfect.

The plastic bag my pads came in had designed holes in it - so what's causing the degradation? Oxygen, UV light, time?

So, whether as a replacement pad or in the original frame - does anyone have a report on how well these windpact pads work?

Are the UmpLife bags too big for guys only getting 2-3 balls max per game? I'm seeing great reviews, and have seen them in person, but they just look really big. Although I guess having too much room is rarely a bad thing compared to too little.

The games I do I get 4 balls max, so I put 3 in my right bag and then the brush and indicator (when not in my hand) in the left bag, and a pen and notepad in the inner pockets of the left.

As an All-Star skullcap user I second this! The AS delta-flex harness is excellent with the skully; I LOVE it - very grippy, and the mask is totally stable, yet easy to quickly remove one-handed, but I tried it (not in a game) with a regular hat and didn't like it that way - not just for looks, but it the grippiness that makes it so great with the skully was a downside for me with the regular cap. For the regular cap I used the traditional AS harness (never tried the UmpLife, so I can't compare).

You might have thought that because some (at least mine) of the AS skull caps appear to have a dark navy (almost black) underside, but the top is a black/gray. I think you'll LOVE the skully! I took a hit to it on what sounds like was a similar hit last year, and it didn't hurt at all, but I'm sure it would have with just a basic hat.

That looks great! I wish I knew about this gunmetal color before I got both of FM4000s powdercoated matte black. They look great too, but I have to say I think I like the gunmetal better, at least in the pics.

I was umping tonight and thinking of this thread while behind the plate and was going to post this same thing - the FM4000 steel has a great view.

By that do you mean the FM4000 hollow steel? Or the FM4000 Mag?

@MadMax I wonder if they have any updates planned for their FM4000Mag, seeing that it's what, at least 5 years old now. Any thoughts (rumors?) on that? I have two FM4000 steel that I'm happy with, but I'm always interested in looking for the next big thing. (I keep debating getting the mag, but for 0.2 ounces I just can't convince myself it's worth it, especially since I added the mag pads.) But once one of these bend I'm upgrading to the mag, or maybe All-Star's next mask. (Maybe I can run over these with my car like All-Star did to the mag with their truck - check their Facebook page if anyone missed it.)

And here is a better look at the top of the helmet:

I saw this in the Cubs/Pirates game yesterday - is this a new All-Star helmet??? It sure looks different than the MVP4000/2500. I sure hope they go back to the larger sizing that went up to 7-3/4 as opposed to the current 7-1/2! Brad or Stan Jurga - if you're listening - PLEASE! Maybe this why the MVP4000 is in low stock many places.

Everyone has their personal favorites - usually what they own, but as an umpire who is just starting their first year (although I got in over 500 games my first 3, a lot for some, not for others, but in the Chicago burbs that's pretty good), I can tell you as a semi-new ump what I recommend: - as others have said, buy once, cry once - better to invest in the good stuff right away - All-Star FM4000 facemask - only 0.2 ounces heavier than the FM4000mag; then upgrade to the mag pads, which they sell separately. - No matter which mask you get - get the All Star Cobalt Skull Cap - no, it's not cheap, but it's likely the cost of a single doctor's office or ER copay. Plus I find wearing the mask much more comfortable with the skully vs a reg cap (and you can save money not buying so many caps) - Force 3 shins - as close to a unanimous decision as you'll get on ump equipment - Chest protectors seem to have the widest variety of opinion from what I read and hear - personally I love my All-Star CPU4000/System 7 but I know many find it too tight in the neck, and it's almost impossible to find new now as it has been replaced by the Cobalt - I like the Diamond MMA cup much more than the Nutty Buddy, and I really like the Nutty Buddy compared to the OLD cup designs of my HS days Good luck!!!

I just want to highlight what a great idea this is!!! I had my shoes rip in the same place and added duct tape afterwards (didn't know about this before) and that helped me get at least 100 more games out of them. Good to know ahead of time for my next pair.

Last I checked with Wilson a couple of years ago, they don't make or sell them (I'm not clear if they ever did).