Plate Coat

[DirtyDawg]

I know if I owned one I would only use it for district games and above. Couldn't justify using it at the regular season games. Only when it really matters.

[kylejt]

I know if I owned one I would only use it for district games and above. Couldn't justify using it at the regular season games. Only when it really matters.

First, they're quite warm. And here in San Diego, it's tough to get them in games beyond March. It's really got to be below 60, which doesn't happen much.

As for waiting for big games, I get it. But I roll with it whenever I get a chance. The little kids and parents really get a kick out of it.

But if you roll up with the coat, on an unfamiliar field, you own the game. They may not know who you are, but you look like you know what you're doing out there. I get more "Yes, sir", "No, sir" from guys ten years my senior than if I was wearing a pansy light blue shirt.

Edited May 22, 2010 by kylejt

[Kevin Finnerty]

But if you roll up with the coat, on an unfamiliar field, you own the game. They may not know who you are, but you look like you know what you're doing out there. I get more "Yes, sir", "No, sir" from guys ten years my senior than if I was wearing a pansy light blue shirt.

Last time I saw a guy dressed in a shirt like the new Majestic light blue umpire shirt, I was buying a sheet of stamps from the guy.

[plateumpire29]

Been a fechheimer man for years. I think the quality is far superior to the Honigs that I've seen. I'm impressed by what I've read here about the Gerry Davis coat. I need a black one and perhaps I'll go in that direction. A few on this thread asked about the benefit of wearing one. While its true that "chicks dig it," you're not only showing tremendous respect for the players and coaches of that particular contest, you are bringing to bear over 150 years of tradition, honesty, and integrity. You are indicating how seriously you take the job. This is why you get "instant respect." The players, coaches, and fans know it too. Probably 15 years ago I was working the plate for a Roy Hobbs playoff game. It was a cold, windy evening, so I decided to wear the platecoat. The starting pitcher for one of the teams, with whom I wound up bowling a few years later, told me that, upon our arrival to the field, he said to his catcher, "if this guy is half as good as he looks, we're in great shape." I look upon it as an investment in myself because wearing it shows not only your peers, but assignors, coaches, and athletic directors alike, your sense of commitment. If you combine that with performance on the field, you'll move up and get the quality games.You'll get to the "next level," whatever that might be. Understandable that down south in Florida, Louisiana, Texas, and such, that platecoats are fairly useless. That's really too bad. You guys don't know what you're missing. For those of us up north, where half the season is played under 60 degrees, they are an absolute staple.

[BigZigBlue]

I have a real good friend that has a fechheimer black plate coat that he got from the guy who owns All American Sports Shop. I saw it today when we went out for lunch and I must say it legit. It isn't tthick as in the sense that it is not real hot. And that's a huge deal since I live in the South. The coats cost $250 and says shipping including. All you have to give him is your jacket size because they mass produce them unlike Honig's or Gerry Davis. And the best thing about the deal is that if the coat doesn't fit just right you can ship it back and they will ship another back.

Website: All American Sports Shop (Do not order from the website because the owner does not have the keys to the website as of the other day to take orders but items are on there.

Phone: 800-422-2189

Owner: John Franco

[UMP45]

We have a guy in our association that wears his plate coat even if it is 90+ degrees. He says it is cooler!!

[Marcus6]

We have a guy in our association that wears his plate coat even if it is 90+ degrees. He says it is cooler!!

Ive worn a plate coat a few times where the weather significantly warmed up from the start of the game and I have to say I was still pretty comfortable in it (mid 60s temperature by end of the game.)

[Majordave]

Ditto. Even warmer weather for me. I wore a sleeveless nike compression T-shirt, WV Gold (Baby-Sized) CP and Plate Coat in Regional Tourney about 80-85 degrees at game start. I don't know what it was at finish but I was just fine throughout. I didn't sweat any more or less than I usually do on a warm weather plate job. I have worn it on plenty of 70's temperature nights as well. But when the weather is cold, you really get your money's worth. Called several games at freezing or below temperatures with wind chills way below freezing and was pretty comfortable with three layers under the CP (Nike sleeveless, UnderArmour mock cold weather and white Starter brand mock turtle over the UnderArmour) and the plate coat over all of it.

I must also add my support to the earlier comment about how image and appearance sets the tone for the evening. Without a doubt it makes everyone in the park take notice. Especially the black. Coaches and players have told me that it really makes them feel like the umpires care when we show up looking and acting like professionals.

My two cents.......