Need shoe advice

[kcfan102]

http://umpattire.blogspot.com/2009/02/detailed-looks-at-4-new-reebok-umpire.html

[Thunderheads]

http://umpattire.blogspot.com/2009/02/detailed-looks-at-4-new-reebok-umpire.html

Yes, correct, ....published in Feb 2009 .........

[BrianC14]

.....from 3n2

http://blog.3n2sports.com/2010/06/ceo-review-3n2-reaction-pro-plate-umpire-shoe/#more-114

Gee, what a surprise - the CEO of 3N2 heartily endorses his company's product.

And interesting, they got high accolades some "officials" with NPF. Well, I've never heard of whatever "NPF" is... so I Bing'd it. National Professional Fastpitch..... softball.

But I have to admit, I've never really given much thought to what might happen to my toes inside a pair of NB 450s if a 200 pound baseball player were to jump off a ledge and land on my toes "spikes first".

Hey, look - if the shoe works for you, that's great. When I got back into working baseball, I purposefully sought out the best equipment available, since I'd already been down the frugal path and previously used some incredibly cheap products. Today I have the top shelf gear because that's what I wanted for my own safety. It works for me. :)

Edited June 10, 2010 by BrianC14

[Stan W.]

:

I purposefully sought out the best equipment available, since I'd already been down the frugal path and previously used some incredibly cheap products. Today I have the top shelf gear because that's what I wanted for my own safety. It works for me.

agreed 100%.........I have spent so much extra money on gear over the years........but today if its not top rated, Im not buying...

[Mike Prince]

In the past year I've bought enough mid-level equipment that I "saved" on only to turn around and virtually give it away to offset the cost of buying what I should have in the first place to learn to do it right the first time now.

As the "disposable" stuff I have wears out it will only be replaced with pro-level gear. With the purchase of my Douglas CP I now have the protective gear (CP, mask, shins, cup, plate shoes) covered, at least to my satisfaction. Next up will be clothing - the stuff I bought to get started last year (Smitty plate/base pants, Dalco shirts) will be replaced by poly-wools and higher quality shirts as it wears out or I need more.

Buy it right the first time.

As far as shoes go, my only advice is if possible is try them on before you buy. The most protective gear won't get worn if it is uncomfortable or gives you fit issues.

[Thunderheads]

Understood ....so far so good for me. I've taken a few shots and felt nothing, so no complaints, and they're like slippers, very light, and comfy.

Just like the chest protector dealy-doo, .... until there are numbers, well then, no one can say that either is better, ...period. Sorry, it's the engineer that's been instilled in me

MiLB & MLB guys test-wore these in Spring training this year, ..names weren't released that I could find. NCAA guys are wearing them (baseball) .....and don't forget, the newest Reeboks are also, non-steel toe......

If we're all happy, then let's stay that way. Just because something isn't endorsed by MLB does not make it "bad" or "cheap" ..........or unsafe

[Stan W.]

methinks thou dost protest too much.................we get it...... let us know when you get your first endorsement check from 3n2...

ps. Im still waiting for mine from +POS and Wilson for the Platimum endorsement......

[Big Red]

In the FWIW column...

Looking at getting myself a pair of Field Magistrates, so this discussion raised my curiousity. Went to Reebok's website and couldn't find hide nor hair on anything regarding the Field Magistrates.

Called the customer svc #, which was strictly for Reebok.com and they confirmed there is nothing on the site about them. She didn't know why.

She transferred me to the "real" Reebok customer service who confirmed that the 2010 version of the shoe no longer has the steel toe, but a thermo-molded plastic design, slightly similar to the instep cover. **

Also asked about availability as it seems everybody is sold out in most of the sizes. She stated there will be another production run of mids in July. For the lows, I can't remember which exactly, but between the black/white & the all-black, one will also have a production run in July, the other one is done for the year.

** Side-bar: Don't want to re-ignite the whole steel v. other matierals debate, but I can tell you this...

From experience working in/around military industrial areas governed by OSHA & AFOSH rules, among others for 20+ yrs, fiber-based composite material and thermo-molded plastic/TPU do just as well as, if not better than steel toes, and at a lighter weight. This is especially true in regards to sharp/hi-velocity, transient impacts, also known as ballistic impacts, such as what you would encounter on the field when getting hit w/ a baseball. And they do a better job diffusing the impact than steel.

Case in point: the Nutty Buddy, or even further, the Kevlar PASGT helmets used to replace the steel "pots" in the military.

The only real way to evaluate how "safe" something is...shoe in this case...is if it meets a particular standard, and in the case of safety shoes, the current ASTM F2413-05 standard, which covers impact and compression resistance in the toe/metatarsal area, most definitely applicable to plate shoes.

Doesn't matter what material the toe box is made of, if it meets the standard, you know you've got a shoe that will meet certain requirements...including the chance encounter of a 200 lb baseball player jumping on your toes.

Heck, I reckon for people that stumble their way around in the dark of night or want to work on their car in an extremely casual mode, they even make lightweight "safety" slippers now w/ composite toes that meet the standard!

Anywho...THE BOTTOM-LINE:

For those getting wrapped up in the steel toe issue, I can't find ANY evidence that any current steel-toed umpire plate shoes, including even the steel-toed Reeboks, are certified to, or even meet the ASTM standard!

The 3N2 folks allude to their composite shoe meeting it, but didn't find proof of certification either.

So, changing to the thermo-molded toe should be a non-issue. Not going to stop me from buying them in the least...matter of fact, the weight savings will convince me further.

My for the day...and week! Hope it helps.

Edited June 10, 2010 by Big Red

[kylejt]

The Full Count shoes can be made of unobtanium, but they're still ugly. Just as ugly as my New Balance, and nearly as ugly as my Reeboks.

My next shoes will have carbon fiber technology, AND good looks.

I raced bicycles for many years. When carbon fiber bikes came out, they were far lighter than the steel ones. Then they started coming apart, and lots of friends lost lots of skin when the forks and tubes failed at speed. Then the technology caught up on how to work kevlar into the process, and now most every good race bike is made of c-f. I trust my lycra cover hyde to a carbon bike. So I think my toes will be okay with a properly made shoe.

Wilson needs to incorperate c-f into the plates on a newer model chest protector. That's the only way guys will migrate from their Gold and Platunium. Make in glow in the dark, like the dopey looking new Honig's, and call it the Uranium.

[willv28]

RBK, but I'm biased, the 3N2 don't come in extra wide so far as I know.

[Thunderheads]

methinks thou dost protest too much.................we get it...... let us know when you get your first endorsement check from 3n2...

Right!!!! It's in the mail, from what I gather! AND I'M STILL WAITING FOR IT STAN!! DANGIT! please...

I'll refer to my last post from Thursday .....no reason to repeat it, it's all there ;)

Edited June 11, 2010 by Thunderheads

[BrianC14]

"unobtanium".

A term worth it's weight in... gold?

Definitely worth a nomination.

Thanks for the laughs, Kyle.