Wilson mlb hard shell

[blp79]

I just bought a Wilson hard shell for this upcoming H.S. season.I was wondering if anyone has any input or feedback on these cp's.

[BT_Blue]

Which one? You can find all kinds of posts both raving and ranting about ALL of the Wilson CPs. I personally have an older WV-Wilson Gold (last year they put the WV on it until this year I think) and I wouldnt work a game without it. Others prefer the Platinum and some guys still have the original Wilson CP. Also there is the grey one... it just all depends on what you are looking for and which one you have.

[TBrown]

I have the Gold and love it. I previously had the longer model Platinum, but it was too big and would not stay in place. I love the protection on them and am think that both (depending on which works best for you) are worth the investment. I found the Gold (Small) to be less bulky than the Platinum and fit better, but I know another umpire who found the Platinum to be less bulky than the Gold (L/XL). I think that the Gold fits smaller frames better because it is sized to your coat size whereas the Platinum is only manufactured in one chest size.

It really comes down to which one fits you the best, but they will both protect you very well and are worth the investment.

Edited January 29, 2010 by TBrown

[blp79]

mine is the gray mlu,they say it is not rated for anything over H.S. ball sorry i left that out.

Edited January 29, 2010 by blp79

[TBrown]

mine is the gray mlu,they say it is not rated for anything over H.S. ball sorry i left that out.

Haven't used that one. Let us know how you like it though. I might be ordering a few of these for my league to use for juniors games.

[BT_Blue]

As far as I am aware, the MLU CP is a fine CP that gets worn all the way up through at least JV ball... I think I even remember seeing some guys with with for Varsity ball.

My mask (the Diamond Silver Ultralight) is not rated for the level I work, but I have taken some hits with it and it works fine (though I changed the padding right away before I used it the first time)

[catsbackr]

Get rid of the arm guards. You'll look like a Smitty.

[Umpire in Chief]

Thats actually a pretty good CP especially for the price. I know a couple of guys who have worn them for D-I games.

Get rid of the arm guards. You'll look like a Smitty.

Absolutely, they've got to go.

[Kevin Finnerty]

That may be the best CP for the money that there is. The protection is more than adequate for any level of high school and some types of ball beyond that. The arm pads are definitely Smitty. Take your biceps shots like a man, not like a girlie man.

[BT_Blue]

I didnt think the MLU (thats the grey one right?) came with the bicep guards. The old WV-Wilson black protector did.

[TBrown]

The arm pads are definitely Smitty. Take your biceps shots like a man, not like a girlie man.

I worked with a guy once who wore guards on his forearms and made sure that his hands were tucked all the way into his shin guards on every pitch so that no part of his body was exposed. I wouldn't be surprised if he had bicep protection as well. He also wore a HSM (which by itself would be fine, but combined with the forearm guards told me that he was afraid of being hit anywhere on his body) with a giant throat protector.

[blp79]

It came with the arm guards

[JimKirk]

I didnt think the MLU (thats the grey one right?) came with the bicep guards. The old WV-Wilson black protector did.

They both did/do. I think some of the confusion is that Wilson changed this chest protector, the A3217, about a year and a half ago and some retailers never changed their pic (unless they have old stock). Updated pic plus worn images with and without bicep pads as well here.

http://www.ump-attire.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=A3217-CHA13

Finnerty's opinion on being a good value choice CP in a hard shell and his reasoning is spot-on. I am often surprised as a retailer that we do not sell more.

[BrianC14]

They both did/do. I think some of the confusion is that Wilson changed this chest protector, the A3217, about a year and a half ago and some retailers never changed their pic (unless they have old stock). Updated pic plus worn images with and without bicep pads as well here.

http://www.ump-attire.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=A3217-CHA13

Finnerty's opinion on being a good value choice CP in a hard shell and his reasoning is spot-on. I am often surprised as a retailer that we do not sell more.

Jim -

I had to look twice! My first thought seeing this pic was "Platinum". That about as close to the Platinum that I've seen, and of course, the price point on the MLU is about $50 less.

Then comparing pics of the two, the biggest (visual) difference I see is that the MLU has more plates on it, whereas the Platinum has molded plates.

Jim, is the padding any different between the two?

[semper_fi_72]

They both did/do. I think some of the confusion is that Wilson changed this chest protector, the A3217, about a year and a half ago and some retailers never changed their pic (unless they have old stock). Updated pic plus worn images with and without bicep pads as well here.

http://www.ump-attire.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=A3217-CHA13

Finnerty's opinion on being a good value choice CP in a hard shell and his reasoning is spot-on. I am often surprised as a retailer that we do not sell more.

I have used this CP from LL Jr thru Adult and love it. Taking a good shot off of it is interesting, because the racket it makes gets everyone asking "Hey Blue You OK"? You just stand there and say; I didn't feel a thing and smile.

[BT_Blue]

They both did/do. I think some of the confusion is that Wilson changed this chest protector, the A3217, about a year and a half ago and some retailers never changed their pic (unless they have old stock). Updated pic plus worn images with and without bicep pads as well here.

http://www.ump-attire.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=A3217-CHA13

Finnerty's opinion on being a good value choice CP in a hard shell and his reasoning is spot-on. I am often surprised as a retailer that we do not sell more.

Wow, I think this might be the first time I have EVER seen a photo of the MLU CP with the arm pads on it. Definitely an interesting look.

I have used this CP from LL Jr thru Adult and love it. Taking a good shot off of it is interesting, because the racket it makes gets everyone asking "Hey Blue You OK"? You just stand there and say; I didn't feel a thing and smile.

Yeh, same with my Gold. However, the thought of maybe having a second protector to wear for the lower level games (I wear my Gold for everything right now) to maybe extend the life of my Gold might be a good idea.

Wonderful, just one more thing to put on my wish list.

[JimKirk]

Brian,

Sorry it took so long to respond. Been a little busy here this week.

To answer your question, the inside padding on the A3217 is from a protection standpoint virtually the same as the Platinum and Gold.

The gold and A3217 both have black padding whereas the Platinum is gray.

The thickness and consistency of the padding and nylon shell are the same on the A3217 and Gold with one exception. Around the sides in the ribs area, the padding on the Gold is a little more rigid.

The main difference is not protective in nature. The cut on the padding of the A3217 is continuous whereas the Gold and Platinum are more in sections so that it conforms to the body better.

Hope that answers your question.

You can see pics of the inside padding of each here:

http://www.ump-attire.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=A3210

http://www.ump-attire.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=A3217-CHA13

[Kevin Finnerty]

Finnerty's opinion on being a good value choice CP in a hard shell and his reasoning is spot-on. I am often surprised as a retailer that we do not sell more.

Thank you, Jim. I love reading the words Finnerty's, opinion, reasoning and spot-on all in the same sentence!

[jomatiky]

I have used this model for several years now, and have the new updated version with the removable plates. Have taken many shots with no ill effect. I just added a footbal back pad to the bottom for a little more protection around the stomach:home:

[BT_Blue]

Thank you, Jim. I love reading the words Finnerty's, opinion, reasoning and spot-on all in the same sentence!

Doesnt happen often does it? LOL:yippie:

[Kevin Finnerty]

Doesnt happen often does it? LOL:yippie:

:D