Ribbed CP

[Thunderheads]

So, ...I did a tournament a couple weekends ago, and met 2 guys I haven't worked with yet, and I know these guys do HS ball, and lots of other games.

That said, as one of the guys was getting ready for a game, I had walked up after one of my games and we were talking about the tournament. Then we switched to gear quickly (of course) as he got ready to work the plate,...and he had lots of Honig's stuff, and I asked him if he was wearing a K1, ..he said, ohh, no, I just use this one ....

http://www.honigs.com/sub/174/K5C

It's light and comfortable, etc.....

Then, this past Friday I did a game with the other guy I met who works a lot with the guy above, ....same thing, HS, lots of games, been umpiring for a long time, and he pulls out a ribbed Diamond to throw on for a U14 travel game?!?!

I guess, ...I don't get it. Especially after all the talk on the forums. I guess, I figured these guys would know better with as much experience they have...but....oh well...:HD:

[blue32]

I know a couple of guys that still don the ribbed cp. I keep telling them to get a hard shell. They keep saying they are too expensive, but I guess a trip to the hospital isn't, huh? I don't get it.

[Mike Prince]

I work with a couple of guys who still wear a ribbed CP, 2 of them are catcher's CP, the other one is a McGregor ribbed umpire CP. One of the guys wearing catcher's gear is only 19 and too cheap to spend a few game checks on a better CP, it is a big deal when he gets hit (and that is a common occurrence). I don't think I have ever seen the guy with the McGregor get hit by anything.

[BrianC14]

Sometimes you never know.

I worked a 5A HS playoff game last week, and our UIC (a fairly young guy) wore an old (and I mean OLD) Diamond ribbed CP. We kidded him about it, but it was one of those things that he just wouldn't let go of. But I'm guessing he will after a good drilling.

Edited May 17, 2010 by BrianC14
"wouldn't"

[slo8140]

We have guys around here that wear the Diamond ribbed protector as well. The one that really blows me away is this old soft Cooper protector that several guys were. It looks like it offers about zero protection, but some guys swear by it.

I love the feeling of strapping on my Gold and getting behind the plate and knowing that I will not feel any shot the game might bring my way.

[JaxRolo]

Right now I wear a Diamond iX3 CP. I Think it is considered a Ribbed CP.

I work lots of travel AAU Games along with lots of REC ball of all ages with an occasional HS scrimmage.

I have taken some shots. It hasn't been to bad but I will be upgrading to a Gold as soon as I can.

Hopefully my wife will be getting a job in the next month after a 2 year layoff from Citibank.

The Umpiring Money has really help us tremendously in our present situation.

[cardinalfan]

I tried to sell a young umpire my K1 earlier this spring. He opted instead for a ribbed CP. He is young and tougher than me, but the shoulder/collarbone protection is very minimal.

I also worked with a kid this year who was very proud that he had used one of his game checks to "upgrade" to a Davis-Wilson CP. I tried to explain to both of them that they could have spent a little more and gotten something much better (ie. cheapest Wilson hard shell).

I can remember when I used my game checks to buy diapers & pay the light bill, but the ball hurts more now than it did then! My advice is to buy the right thing the first time. It will save money in the long run.

[Stan W.]

we all probably wore those types of CP's when they were the best we could expect.........but with the technology today, it foolish to put your self at risk over a few extra $$....

All it took was one severe injury for me to scrap my old ribbed CP many years ago.........

[Big Red]

we all probably wore those types of CP's when they were the best we could expect.........but with the technology today, it foolish to put your self at risk over a few extra $$....

All it took was one severe injury for me to scrap my old ribbed CP many years ago.........

Guilty here, but for different reasons.

I've mentioned it before, but when I first got into umpiring I didn't have the benefit of a website such as this or even some guys taking the time to look out for me like most of you seem to do.

I think back to days when I was getting behind the plate for some Colt (15-16 yr) games where at least one of the pitchers was flirting w/ the low 80's. There I am in blissful ignorance w/ my All-star catcher's CP, shin guards w/o knee protection and no plate shoes...just hi-top Nike cleats!!! Thank God, and the catchers, I was lucky enough not to take any shots. I at least upgraded my shoes and shin guards back then, but not the CP.

When I got back into umpiring this year, I heeded the advice I saw on this site, did some research and put the money down for a Platinum.

I've taken several shots, both softball and baseball, two in particular that have left permanent marks on it, that make me glad I did while also making me shudder when I think about taking those same hits w/ that old ribbed catcher's CP.

Anyway, as Stan points out, I hope the folks ya'll mention here heed the same advice and see the light before something similar happens as that will be a self-critiquing mistake they won't soon forget.

On a related note...

Like I said, I wear it for both softball and baseball, and for any of the softball types that don't wear CPs or smaller "softball" style such as the Honigs K2, you should've seen the SEC championship game between Alabama & LSU this last Saturday night.

Alabama pitcher Kelsi Dunne's rise-ball clipped the LSU batter on the elbow and ricocheted directly into the lower ribcage of the PU, Pat Lyon, who appeared to be wearing a K2 or similar...he suffered a cracked rib and had to be replaced.

Can't find a video or I'd post it, but either way....good learning point for all and I wish Pat best wishes and a speedy recovery. :GL:

[Stan W.]

I've taken several shots, both softball and baseball, two in particular that have left permanent marks on it, that make me glad I did while also making me shudder when I think about taking those same hits w/ that old ribbed catcher's CP.

Some day at the annual UMPIRE-EMPIRE Convention I will display my 2 CP's......My Honigs K1 and my West Vest Platinum and I will display the 4 ball marks on them....

I have 3 permanent ball marks on my navy K1 where I was drilled by baseballs that have left permanent scuff marks on the CP........

My platinum has a green smear from a Diamond College ball......note all these marks are made throught the shirt.........

The 3 shots to the K1 were the reason I bought the Platinum... they hurt....and if I had been wearing my old +POS ribbed protector I feel I would have been much worse off...

[Umpire in Chief]

I'm sure I've posted this elsewhere before but here's my gold after taking a serious uncaught fastball. Stunned the heck out of me but it diddn't hurt.

[boyinr]

The lowest level of gear that I have seen was the partner that showed up to a frosh game with a catchers CP he had recently bought from Sports Authority. His biggest concern was if he could get/find another shoulder cap as it only came with one. He figured it looked close enough. I had the plate that day or I would have been more concerned.

I still use my ribbed protector (with internal plates) for lower level BB and softball but, after having the platinum I am liking the ribbed/soft shell CP less and less each time. I have a second hard shell on order and I will sell my old one to someone else.

[kylejt]

I'll bore you guys with this story one more time.

Years ago, I wore the ribbed MacGregor cp. I only did LL minors (9-11), since I was managing in the majors. I didn't know any better.

I took a foul ball straight over the heart one evening. I knocked the wind out of me, but I continued on. But I was weak kneed, and off kilter for the rest of the game. After the game I saw I had an nice bruise over a few ribs. It hurt. Remember, this was little kids.

But the lingering effects lasted for a couple of weeks. I was still just a little off. Slow decision making, tired, etc. I consulted my wife's uncle, who's a pretty famous heart surgeon. Evidently that baseball messed with the rhythm of my heart. and it took a while to get back in sync. I went out a bought a Douglas before I stepped behind the dish again.

Yeah, don't take a chance out there. Hey, I knew I guy who actually worked Pony games with no shin guards. I've gone for two years with ever getting hit on the foot. Yet I'm not going without that gear.

WEAR PRO GEAR.

[Thunderheads]

I'll bore you guys with this story one more time.

Years ago, I wore the ribbed MacGregor cp. I only did LL minors (9-11), since I was managing in the majors. I didn't know any better.

I took a foul ball straight over the heart one evening. I knocked the wind out of me, but I continued on. But I was weak kneed, and off kilter for the rest of the game. After the game I saw I had an nice bruise over a few ribs. It hurt. Remember, this was little kids.

But the lingering effects lasted for a couple of weeks. I was still just a little off. Slow decision making, tired, etc. I consulted my wife's uncle, who's a pretty famous heart surgeon. Evidently that baseball messed with the rhythm of my heart. and it took a while to get back in sync. I went out a bought a Douglas before I stepped behind the dish again.

Yeah, don't take a chance out there. Hey, I knew I guy who actually worked Pony games with no shin guards. I've gone for two years with ever getting hit on the foot. Yet I'm not going without that gear.

WEAR PRO GEAR.

Kyle, I've told your story to other partners w/ ribbed CPs, ...one went w/ a k1, the other a Champion hard-shell. But ....I haven't talked to these guys yet, ...these guys are adults, ...I don't want to offend, but damn!

Thanks for the story again Kyle!:HS

[mstaylor]

I wear the MLU Wilson hard shell. It is the cheapest of the Wilson hardshells at about $90.00. I am as happy with that as the it's more expensive relatives. The reason I point this out is there is at most $20.00 difference between a lot less protection and something that will do the job.

[Thunderheads]

I wear the MLU Wilson hard shell. It is the cheapest of the Wilson hardshells at about $90.00. I am as happy with that as the it's more expensive relatives. The reason I point this out is there is at most $20.00 difference between a lot less protection and something that will do the job.

Good point!

You have a lot of soft-hard-soft shells (think Pro Nine, etc) for about $60 and some of the ribbed ones go for about $50 or $60....that said, you can get a hard-shell (champion) for anwhere from $45-60 .....at least it's a hardshell for God's sake:angel4:

[Kevin Finnerty]

I bought a genuine Douglas on ebay for $41 shipped.

There is no reason or excuse to risk skipping a human heartbeat because of cost.

(It's funny how not using the brain properly can involuntarily affect the functioning of the heart.)

[BrianC14]

I'm sure I've posted this elsewhere before but here's my gold after taking a serious uncaught fastball. Stunned the heck out of me but it diddn't hurt.

Ha! I have a mark almost exactly like that on my Platinum, which was 'earned' about my 3rd game using it. But why - WHY - is the logo such a magnet? Oh, the humanity....

[yawetag]

I had a partner this year wearing a motorcycle chest protector.