new to the group

[D62 blue]

i have been reading this group for a year or more . decided to jump onboard . iam a 4th year umpire from So Cal . i have seen many threads about equipment , wilson, diamond ,honig's , ect.... out here a brand that seems to very popular , is Pro 9 . there are some sites that sell the brand . but it doesnt seem to be very common the farther east you go . there is a HS assigner locally, who sells the pro 9 direct . i have read some comments about the CP . not much about the mask or leg guards . reason i bring this up is , of all the brands , none seem to qualify what level of ball there equip. is suitable for . im sure there is a liability issue . however Pro 9 gear states right on there company website , that all their gear which also includes , catchers and umpire gear . is rated to 95 mph !!!! by the NOCASE testing . this is the lab that all batting helmets, bicycle , and other protective gear consumers buy, must pass to be certified safe in this country . i dont know how they test for 95 mph fast balls . but i must assume that it is true if pro 9 is stating on the site .

[Umpire in Chief]

Welcome D62! Glad to have you jump in.

As for Pro9 I've seen their equipment and know guys who wear their masks and helmets. I don't recall anybody who wears the shins that I notice, but I have seen in person when I met with Jim. I don't believe there is any problem with them. Ump-Attire carries a few of their items.

My gut feeling is that they probably do not market themselves enough and guys don't them as well as Wilson, Diamond or the others.

[semper_fi_72]

Welcome

I use Pro 9 Shins

I work youth, HS and Adult.

I love the strap design and the fit they provide.

They also have some adjust-ability in the knee.

I have no concerns for protection.

I would highly recommend them.

[mstaylor]

Welcome to the site. I don't have any direct knowledge of the Pro nine equipment.

[D62 blue]

Welcome D62! Glad to have you jump in.

As for Pro9 I've seen their equipment and know guys who wear their masks and helmets. I don't recall anybody who wears the shins that I notice, but I have seen in person when I met with Jim. I don't believe there is any problem with them. Ump-Attire carries a few of their items.

My gut feeling is that they probably do not market themselves enough and guys don't them as well as Wilson, Diamond or the others.

u may be right , locally here in so cal (orange county) which is where pro 9 is based . the brand is used frequently at all levels from LL to even some D1 umpires . but beyond the west coast , not sure ? they (pro 9) claim 95 mph rated by nocase testing . i have seen some comments on ump-attire blog , that the pro 9 cp isnt adequate ? its all individual preference , of course the higher the level you go up the less likely to get hit . i had a minor league single A umpire , and a D1 at a mechanics clinic tell us this .

d62 blue

[D62 blue]

Welcome

I use Pro 9 Shins

I work youth, HS and Adult.

I love the strap design and the fit they provide.

They also have some adjust-ability in the knee.

I have no concerns for protection.

I would highly recommend them.

u are not to far the O C , have u ever worked at W R L L during the tournaments ? i also use the pro 9 guards , i find them excellent protection , i also have the pro 9 mask , and a diamond ix3 lightweight mask . i presume u use something else for cp and mask ?

[kcfan102]

I heard from a 7' birdie that founder of Diamond sold his company for $$$ then started Pro Nine to make even more $$$. From what I hear the products are just about identicle, but Pro Nine is a bit cheaper (price, not quality). I could be wrong though.

There are a lot of guys who are buying more Diamond/Pro Nine around here (KC, MO) than Wilson. At least that's what I see. And they love it.

[kcfan102]

Oh, and welcome to the board!

[JaxRolo]

I am glad you are participating! :wow:

[D62 blue]

actually the owner of pro 9 was a partner in diamond equip 7-8 years ago . there was some disagreement about what direction to take the diamond brand . so the partner's went there seperate ways . and pro 9 was born , i have an veteran umpire who knows both owners . i agree that the pro 9 brand seems more value engineered , and diamond is more $$$ , but not necessarily better made .

[Umpire in Chief]

I have noticed the striking similarity b/t some of the diamond and Pro9 and wondered if they were somehow related.