Ball bag suggestions..

[zm1283]

... My theory is that, since Flex Fit is really just a range of sizes, for people that are closer to the top of that range, the FlexFit functions more like a fitted hat, so it's tight enough as is.

My biggest beef with a FlexFit is that the elastic band leaves a stupid looking red mark all across my forehead, which doesn't happen with my fitted hats.

I guess my real question is, why order a FlexFit when it's just as easy to order a fitted one? The only FlexFit I've ever gotten was from my LL District, which makes sense since they're ordering a large quantity for a number of people so it's a lot easier than trying to get everybody's hat size.

For most guys it is merely the inconsistent sizing of fitted caps that spurs them to buy a flex-fit.

I buy a lot of 7 1/2s in several brands, but mainly New Era. I have bought several pro caps in recent years and over a hundred throughout the years, and I have never bought five in a row that were actually 7 1/2. In the Internet age, we can no longer try caps on. I used to buy according to its original fit and allow for a modicum of shrinkage. Now I take what I get from the UPS guy and work with it. If it's too small, I stretch it; if it's too large, I soak it in very hot water and dry it in the oven to shrink it to size. If I get a good deal on a 7 5/8 something, I shrink it. Many times in close-outs, the larger sizes are available.

In umpire caps, I buy mostly six-stitch, and some eight-stitch. I have bought 7 1/2 and 7 5/8 that are the same size. It's really a crap shoot, but 7 1/2 is my starting point. Most 7 1/2s are a little tight or a little loose. I wear the tight ones first, and shrink the loose ones. So you either work with it or buy a flex-fit.

We can if we live near where an umpire gear website is located.

And yes, the sizes are very inconsistent. I have tried on 7 5/8 and 7 3/4 Richardson caps that fit exactly the same while another 5/8 is too small.

[yawetag]

We can if we live near where an umpire gear website is located.

Call your local store that sells baseball equipment. The one here sells umpire caps. I prefer it, as I've bought the same size three different times, and it fit differently all three times.

[zm1283]

We can if we live near where an umpire gear website is located.

Call your local store that sells baseball equipment. The one here sells umpire caps. I prefer it, as I've bought the same size three different times, and it fit differently all three times.

I was saying that we can try umpire caps on if we live near an umpire gear supplier, which I do. (Between the Lines) I said that because Kevin said we can no longer try caps on since most everything is online now.

[JaxRolo]

This is the Best Ball Bag ever.

1. Easy to clean

2. Fits 1.5 Baseballs inside.

3. Easy access to Plate brush and clicker!

4. If you wear 2 then you can have up to 3 baseballs.

[Thunderheads]

This is the Best Ball Bag ever.

1. Easy to clean

2. Fits 1.5 Baseballs inside.

3. Easy access to Plate brush and clicker!

4. If you wear 2 then you can have up to 3 baseballs.

:Spit_20Laugh:

[BigUmp56]

This is the Best Ball Bag ever.

1. Easy to clean

2. Fits 1.5 Baseballs inside.

3. Easy access to Plate brush and clicker!

4. If you wear 2 then you can have up to 3 baseballs.

I'd rather keep the balls in my pockets and stick my plate brush up my a$$.

Tim.

[JaxRolo]

This is the Best Ball Bag ever.

1. Easy to clean

2. Fits 1.5 Baseballs inside.

3. Easy access to Plate brush and clicker!

4. If you wear 2 then you can have up to 3 baseballs.

I'd rather keep the balls in my pockets and stick my plate brush up my a$.

Tim.

Nice! What about your Clicker??? :shrug:

[Thunderheads]

I fixed it ... whew!

Thunder,

I am in on the Richardson. I had several of those as my original caps. Some New Eras are a little larger than they're supposed to be. I shrink them if they're too big for the plate (shortens the cap's life a little ... oh well). When they're too small, like Tim's perfect basketball, I have a spaghetti pot whose colander insert is precisely my cap size. I swirl the cap around in a mild solution like Tim also described, and then I stretch it over the bottom of the colander and blast water through it to rinse it out. When it dries, I iron it and fold it and put in back in my New Era Cap Carry Case.

And by the way, theDri-Los are the best! The UA Ultimates are also great in their own right, now that they are wider than before. They're both very durable and accommodating. I have two sets of Dri-Los and one set of the narrower 2009 model UA Ultimates (they only held two baseballs comfortably). I retired my Honig's navy bags.

I always find myself telling newer umpires something like, "It's hard to believe that it even matters, but a good set of ball bags really does make a difference."

Did I say that I prefer the Dri-Lo?

Kevin:

So, Dry-Los are wider than the UA Ultimates? I have a navy UA that I got for last season (2010) and it's nice ....didn't Jim come out with a 'wider' version this past year?

[Kevin Finnerty]

Dri-Los are wider and possibly even longer. Ultimates hold two comfortably and three uncomfortably. Dri-Los hold three comfortably. Also, the inside pockets on the Dri-Los take more punishment without coming unraveled and in need of repair.

I know Jim updated and upgraded, including waterproofing the back layer, so my descriptions are of the slightly older edition. They were my main bags, until I visited Honig's one day, and they had a special on the Dri-Los. I loved them, and bought an additional pair and rotate between the two sets. The Dri-Los are my go-to ball bags. They look, feel and work very well.

The Ultimates are very good and even have the security compartment, which can certainly have a useful purpose. But the size factor originally steered me to the Dri-Los and I never bought UA's updated version.

[ukce1861]

I have the UA ball bags in both Navy and Black. These are not the latest XL Ultimate Ball Bags, but the regular Ultimate Ball Bags. The black bags were purchased in Spring of '10 and the navy ball bags were purchased in Feb. of 11. I have no complaints on the size of the ball bags, although I've never used Dri-Lo's so I can't make a straight comparison. I can comfortably fit 4 balls in each bag without much fear of them spilling out. Since I rarely get as many as 6 for a game, these are more than big enough.

I very much like the zippered pouch in the back. Usually I keep my keys in there, but it's also nice to keep a band-aid (if you have a cut you're worried might start bleeding), stick cash or game checks in, or any number of other things.

I have had problems with the durability of the stitching. One of my black ball bags came unravelled on the side within about 10 games of use. I sent it back and UA fixed it. Since then one of the black bags and one of the navy bags have had minor problems with the stitching coming loose on the interior pockets. They're all still functional, but it's a bit of a hassle (and disappointment). Especially the one where I had a long thread come loose in the middle of a game and I had to spend some time in between innings trying to figure out how to break the thread without unravelling the rest of the pocket... I'm sure I could send them back and get them fixed, but the hassle and the shipping isn't really worth it.

As I said, I've never used Dri-Lo's, so I can't comment on them directly. I really like the zipper pouch. I also like the waterproof backing; I sweat like nobody's business, so on my third game of the day, baking in the Florida sun, I would definitely sweat through a regular ball bag. I don't really have any size complaints on the UA ball bags; either the overall size or the interior pockets. My only complaint is the quality of the stitching.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Cool, I'm with you on the interior pockets thing; I mentioned it, and have not had it happen as yet on the Dri-Los. But the part about getting four baseballs in a bag comfortably is a major point of contention. There is no way that even three balls can lay across the bottom of the bag and be accessed easily. I would never have two rows (upper/lower) of baseballs in a ball bag. And the UA of that size could never accommodate four baseballs.

[stl_ump]

Now that we've narrowed it down to the Dri Lo or UA bags... what about color? I've got the Davis Charcoal Gray Pants. We wear either Black or Powder blue shirts. Powder blue in the summer and Black for Fall ball.Thanks

[UmpJM]

stl_ump,

Black.

JM

[JaxRolo]

Both. Just don't wear them at the same time.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Rather than waste $35.00 on a set of navy ball bags, why don't you just donate $35.00 to a worthy charity. At least that would have a use.

[stl_ump]

Rather than waste $35.00 on a set of navy ball bags, why don't you just donate $35.00 to a worthy charity. At least that would have a use.

:WTF

[Kevin Finnerty]

Navy ball bags are disappearing as fast as navy caps and navy shirts. Save your money.

[yawetag]

Rather than waste $35.00 on a set of navy ball bags, why don't you just donate $35.00 to a worthy charity. At least that would have a use.

Donate it to the "Get yawetag a new pair of black ball bags" charity, please.

I've been taught from umpires much more skilled than I. These umpires have imparted a great wisdom in relation to ball bags: black bags will always work, no matter your shirt color.

You don't change your sock, belt, or shoe color based on your shirt, right?

[rth54]

<br />Navy ball bags are disappearing as fast as navy caps and navy shirts. Save your money.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

May it be so...

[ukce1861]

This depends on your association and local practice. Around here, you definitely need both. We wear navy with the powder and navy shirts and black with everything else. It will definitely be noticed if you don't have navy to wear with these shirts.

If you're only getting one color, get black; but if it's common practice to wear navy, you should get navy too.

[justwin]

Navy ball bags are disappearing as fast as navy caps and navy shirts. Save your money.

maybe in the usa navy ball bags and caps are dissappearing but here in canada navy ball bags and navy caps are 90% of the market. same as navy jackets which are probably 90%of the market here too

[Kevin Finnerty]

Navy ball bags are disappearing as fast as navy caps and navy shirts. Save your money.

maybe in the usa navy ball bags and caps are dissappearing but here in canada navy ball bags and navy caps are 90% of the market. same as navy jackets which are probably 90%of the market here too

Well, we may be ahead in umpire fashion, but you're ahead in taking responsibility for your citizens and the environment in which you all live. A tip of the creased black six-stitch to you, sir.

[BigUmp56]

You don't change your sock, belt, or shoe color based on your shirt, right?

You mean to tell me you've never tried the GD navy patent leather plate shoes and belt combo?

I believe that this Spring they'll come with matching ball bags. I remember a couple of years ago when leather ball bags hit the market, so why not................

Tim.

[Umpire in Chief]

The new Ump-Attire Ultimate XL is wider and fit 3 balls across the bottom easily while the last version it was a tight fit. Another improvement which was made was the opening was made easier to get your hand in.

I love the inside pockets and the zippered pocket. The best on the market.

[LMSANS]

Navy ball bags are disappearing as fast as navy caps and navy shirts. Save your money.

Wrong!

They are all still used almost exclusively in the garden state. Especially for HS.