Ump Man Do

@MadMax when you say NB is out of the umpire shoe business can you expand? I do see their shoes on sale on a few sites. Will they no longer be making their plate and base shoes? Thanks.

Madmax, when you say NB is out of the umpire shoe business can you expand? I do see their shoes on sale on a few sites. Will they no longer be making their plate and base shoes? Thanks.

I have 2 identical Diamond aluminum umpire masks for sale. The only difference is one is matte. Both have Team Wendy pads, Diamond sun shade and Diamond throat protector. The cages are about 5 years old. The Team Wendy pads and the sun screen are new and have about 5 games on them. I replaced them this spring but I tried someone's All Star early this season and decided to change over. I do NCAA softball so that is why the TW logo is blacked out. I put the card that came with the pads in the picture so you can be sure they are TW's. I am thinking $80 plus shipping for each. The masks have always been kept in Ump Life mask bags (not included) so they both are in good shape.

I have never ordered anything from them but it is definitely a legit business located in PA.

I have many Umplife products (ball bags, mask bags, shoe bags, UBag) and I appreciate everything Ray does for us umpires. For my money the best product is absolutely the mask harness. I was just wondering if anyone has had issues with recent harnesses. My original ones were 4 years old and still in great shape except some fading. So in the fall I purchased 2 new ones from UA. I only recently got around to installing them for the upcoming season. The cams do not seem to "seat" all the way. I have been working them for about a week and they are closer to being "closed" but no where near as much as my originals. The other issue is on just the top strap the stitching seems to be in the wrong place and the strap will not lay flat as you can see from the picture. Just wondering if anyone else has had similar issues. There was a post recently about the cams but it now seems to be gone.

So I have read many times in many places complaints from umpires that they don't get the choice assignments or the big game assignments that they feel they deserve. Often these umpires feel that lesser umpires get these assignments based on tenure only or the "old boys club" scenario. I actually have the opposite situation. I am a newer (6 years total, 3 with HS, 1 college) umpire and this postseason I feel I am getting HS games that I might not deserve. I am not selling myself short. I am extremely dedicated to the craft and always trying to get better. The assignor, who many think is hard to work for, has really taking a liking to me. He knows how much I enjoy umpiring and I am always open to his constructive criticism. He has certainly helped make me a better umpire. I just wonder if sometimes it is too much too soon. I am sure that there has to be some resentment some some of the veteran guys. I am scheduled to work a state regional semi final this week and now I just received the final as well. While I look forward to both games I not sure I "deserve" the final. Last year I received an even higher state playoff assignment and I don't think I enjoyed it as much as I should because I didn't feel I deserved that assignment. I know this sounds like a good problem to have but just wondering if anyone else was ever in the same boat and has any words of wisdom? Thanks.

Thanks for all of the feedback. For those using the Oakley Flaks, did you get them directly from Oakley or through a typical eyeglass location? I am planning on going to an Oakley store on Wednesday. It is about an hour from where I live.

So I am strictly talking prescription eye glasses, NOT sunglasses. How many people wear them while umpiring? What brand do you use? Does anyone wear bifocals or transitions on the field? I have bifocals that I wear when driving at night and watching TV. I think I am close to the point where I should wear them all of the time so looking for something to wear while umpiring. I saw an official on the sideline of one of the NFL games this weekend and it looked like he had Oakley Flaks on with clear lenses. That is what i am starting to look at. I would like to get straight vision glasses but feel i need bifocals for lineup card and conference tacking purposes. So just looking for any info from fellow umpires with experience wearing glasses. Thanks.

Thanks Mad Max. I enjoy any post by you so I look forward to it.

So as the OP above I wanted to resurrect this thread and ask a few questions. I am still using my original 4 year old Team Wendy pads. I have 2 in my cart at UA but want to look into mask/pads further. I took a direct shot off of an inside foul ball the other day and it really rang my bell. I took 2 shots all of last year and really felt both of those as well. I use Ump Life harnesses and have them fairly loose but this shot was dead center so the mask didn't really move. I see that the Force 3 is out of stock so that is not an immediate option. So here are my questions: Are Team Wendy's really the best pads for protection? How often do most of you take one off of the mask in a season? How do you feel afterwards? Could the age of the pads compromise the performance? For those who have been concussed with shots to the mask how did you know? This is my 5th year and I really love umpiring. I had a great HS schedule this spring and have already been assigned 2 playoff games so I don't want to jeopardize my umpiring future with concussion issues. Open for any other feedback on masks/pads. Thanks.

I see that ATXBlue. Thanks for pointing that out. I have a question for Jim Kirk the next time he checks this. Is the Body Flex shirt going to replace the Pro Knit? I am hoping not. I ordered some navy shirts during the Black Friday sale. The medium was Pro Knit but the Large came as a Body Flex. I thought maybe they were out of that size so I got a substitute. I really like the Body Flex material. However I just tried it on. The sleeves are at least an 1 1/2" shorter. That may be good for the Ed Hoculi type but with my skinny arms I really don't like the look. So if the Pro Knit is being replaced I will have to stock up on them.

When will Ump Attire start carrying the short sleeve Body Flex shirts?

You rush home after work to make sure that you get the latest delivery from Ump-Attire before the wife gets home and see it. Trying to avoid the inevitable "What are you getting now? Don't you already have everything".

Thanks for all of the info. For those with leather pads, how do you clean them? I have the Diamond Big Leagues pads that I use in colder weather and looking for best way to clean them.

So I have seen recommendations that mask pads should be changed every 1 to 2 years. Do those who have been doing this for awhile go by that? I have 2 Diamond masks with Team Wendy pads. One has been used for 3 years and the other for 2. Both still feel good and since I don't sweat too much are both in great shape. I will gladly spend the money to replace them this off season if most people think the 1 to 2 year life is legit? Any thoughts are appreciated. And while we are at it, for those that use TW pads, how do you clean them? Thanks.

That is what I do as well. What I discovered a year after I got them is that there is a little pocket on the outside of the tongue. You can tuck your laces up in there. It is a great little feature. I can't tell you how many guys I have showed that to since I learned about it. Not one of them knew it was there. Saw it on one of the videos from Ump-Attire.

I am a softball umpire and yes, D is correct. And what Maven said, B6 is the next batter.

Got it. Thanks.

Kyle, that link to the Ump Life brochure is no longer working. I checked it out the other day off of your link and I saw some things I was interested in. I have been trying now with no luck. I have tried the Ump Life facebook page and I cannot find it there. I already have a few of Ray's things from UA but would like to get some other things from the borchure. Any help is appreciated.

Hey Recontra. Just want to thank you for the tip above about the Mava knee sleeves. I bought 2 pairs and they are great. I only got to use them for a handful of games before the season ended but boy did they make a difference. I wear them on my nightly walks with the wife and they are a huge upgrade on the ones I used to wear. The company was also a pleasure to deal with.

Speaking of fit has anyone purchased the new New Balance V3 base shoes? I just did and they look great. However the sizes seem to be off. I have 10 1/2 EE in V3 mid plate shoes and they fit great, maybe even a bit loose. (All of my everday shoes and sneakers are 10 1/2 D). I got the same size in the new base shoes and they are tight as can be. I only buy from Ump-Attire due to the great service and free returns. So I also got an 11 D and they are a too long. Just curious if anyone else has tried these yet. I have a 10 1/2 EEEE on the way.

Can someone post the actual link to purchase this? I am unable to find it. Thanks.

Thanks for the info. I wanted to like the Schutt. This time last year when I was making my initial equipment purchase I had settled on the Schutt but then it was unavailable so I got the Champion. While happy I still kep eyeing up the Schutt. Then when UA put it on sale last week I bit. Right out of the box it just felt "bigger". I took off the bicep pads first. When I put a shirt over it I looked like an old school lineman that is how big I thought I looked. I messed around with the shoulder pads and took off the wings pads and made multiple adjustments with the harness but still didn't like the way it looked or fit. So back to your post. Looks like the Force 3 may be my best bet.

Hey 2nd year umpire here. This site has been a wealth of information. I just received my Schutt and have to say I didn't like it from the moment I put it on so going to return it. I used a Champion last year and was very happy but always looking for something better... Now that I am staying with the Champion (and going to order another one as a back up) I am going to upgrade the harness as I have seen suggested on many of the postings. Ump-Attire has 3 different ones (WIlson, Force 3 and All Star). Looking for any feedback and/or +/- on any of these harneesses. And will it make that big a difference ?