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Douglas CP

Thunderheads

By Thunderheads
in Umpire Equipment

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D62 blue

D62 blue

Posted
Posted

Wore my 15" for the first time last night. I had a horrible 9-yr old all-star game (24-0). The only negative is that the Douglas did not protect me from the two shots to my biceps (i know bicep protectors exist, but I don't like them).

As for the CP, it felt great and seamed cooler than my Gold. The most noticeable difference in the low-profile aspect. The range of motion in my arms, while not bad in the Gold, was noticeably better in the Douglas. The only issue that I still have is with the pieces that wrap around the collarbone. They are almost too curved for my body.

Any ideas with that? I wore it pretty tight last night, but I am thinking about trying to tighten the Y straps a little more, but I am afraid it will be difficult to get over my big head. The other option that I can think of would be to tighten the strap of the bottom of the Y. I really do not need the protector to get any closer to my throat...it fits great there, it is just the two pieces that go over the collarbone. All input would be appreciated from the experienced Douglas wearers.

I think I am really going to like this CP. I can envision it become a mainstay the days that I have JV and LL plate games. The Gold will come out when I have Varsity plates.

here is an interesting idea . i was talking to an ump in my area last night . he has had a douglas cp for 8-9 years . i asked him about break in issues . well he and another umpire used a "heat gun" , the type used for paint removal . put on the cp adjust the way u want , and then with the heat gun warm up the plastics , to the point it(plastic) becomes flexible then shape/form with youre hands to conform to youre body shape . then let it cool for a minute . this umpire said that he and the other ump used this technique for a douglas , and a wv cp , and also for the leg guards to get the platics to better form . we're not trying to melt just warm enough to flex the plastic . my friend has had nothing go wrong with his douglas going on 8 + years .

d62 blue

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cardinalfan

cardinalfan

Posted
Posted

here is an interesting idea . i was talking to an ump in my area last night . he has had a douglas cp for 8-9 years . i asked him about break in issues . well he and another umpire used a "heat gun" , the type used for paint removal . put on the cp adjust the way u want , and then with the heat gun warm up the plastics , to the point it(plastic) becomes flexible then shape/form with youre hands to conform to youre body shape . then let it cool for a minute . this umpire said that he and the other ump used this technique for a douglas , and a wv cp , and also for the leg guards to get the platics to better form . we're not trying to melt just warm enough to flex the plastic . my friend has had nothing go wrong with his douglas going on 8 + years .

d62 blue

Be very careful with that. I used to work with heat guns every day, and they get very hot.

I usually put mine in the sun for a while or use a hair dryer. That will soften the plastic without the chance of warping it.

Umpire in Chief

Umpire in Chief

Posted
Posted

I'm going to send in my Douglas shins for a re-furb.

It really is a cool company.

I'm debating about doing this or getting new ones. My Douglas shins are at least 10 y/o and have seen better days. I bought them off a guy who retired when I was a rookie for $10.

Thunderheads

Thunderheads

Posted
  • Author
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All who are wearing the Douglas, ....

What's the best way to 'trim' the excess staps once you've got them dialed in? Scissors, straight edge, etc? What works best on that material?

Thanks........

Mike Prince

Mike Prince

Posted
Posted

All who are wearing the Douglas, ....

What's the best way to 'trim' the excess staps once you've got them dialed in? Scissors, straight edge, etc? What works best on that material?

Thanks........

A 'hot knife" would be best. In lieu of that, a sharp pair of scissors and a lighter to melt the ends immediately after cutting to prevent fraying will work just fine.

Kevin Finnerty

Kevin Finnerty

Posted
Posted

All who are wearing the Douglas, ....

What's the best way to 'trim' the excess staps once you've got them dialed in? Scissors, straight edge, etc? What works best on that material?

Thanks........

Trim only one side!!!

Feed it through one end to the length you like and then trim all the excess from the other side so that you only have one unfinished end.

kwiggie

kwiggie

Posted
Posted

A 'hot knife" would be best. In lieu of that, a sharp pair of scissors and a lighter to melt the ends immediately after cutting to prevent fraying will work just fine.

+1

Scissors and a lighter is what I have used on all my "strap trimming" dating back to youth hockey days.

Thunderheads

Thunderheads

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Thanks guys, done!! No problem! :shrug:

OK, now, what are you guys securing your 'settings' with ?? Electrical tape? Athletic tape? What's best??

Mike Prince

Mike Prince

Posted
Posted

Thanks guys, done!! No problem! :shrug:

OK, now, what are you guys securing your 'settings' with ?? Electrical tape? Athletic tape? What's best??

I wouldn't use tape, the adhesive can make a mess in the heat (if it gets into your clothes it is a pain to remove). Use good thread (or something like fishing line) and sew the strap to itself near the buckle to keep it from slipping. It shouldn't take much and you want it to be removable so you can re-stitch it tighter when the strap loses some of its elasticity.

I have not done this to my Douglas yet but plan to. The strap slipped Saturday when I was putting it on between games and I didn't get it as tight as I would have liked to.

AllanA

AllanA

Posted
Posted

I use athletic tape. Electrical tape is too GOOEY. It will sweat when hot. Athletic tape

leaves alil goo and you will have to replace it every so often.

  • 2 months later...
mazzamouth

mazzamouth

Posted
Posted

All who are wearing the Douglas, ....

What's the best way to 'trim' the excess staps once you've got them dialed in? Scissors, straight edge, etc? What works best on that material?

Thanks........

I took a knife and then a Lighter to burn the edges so they won't Frey.

Thunderheads

Thunderheads

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

I would like to know the web site to go to to see this Douglas Chest Protector. I'm interested in getting one.

Go through the thread, and go to the search button on this site and use it under the equipment section. You'll find plenty of info on this CP including pictures. It's not on the website because they don't advertise it anymore. But, they still have parts to make them for you per order.

Douglas was the first company to work with Joe West and his West Vests, so essentially, Douglas made the first iteration of the "Gold" .....

GO TO POST #45 on this thread for pictures........

Edited by Thunderheads
  • 3 weeks later...
boyinr

boyinr

Posted
Posted (edited)

I bought a 13" Douglas this spring. Mostly becasue of the reviews by Finnery and Mazza. I will also say that there was also a little bit of "this is the last chance" factor. Until today this CP has been a ball repellent and I wondered how it would perform. I wore this about 10 games without a decent shot. Today I got one. A upper 70's fastball fouled back. Got me right on the heart. The ball hit me hard enough to leave a mark on the plate of the CP. The ball bounced out in front of the place. The only thing I felt was the transfer of the kinetic energy. The catcher was a little surprised I was not bothered in the least bit. I cringe to think about the results had I been wearing my old "soft shell w/internal plates" model.

To quote Finnery "always buy pro gear". I will never wear anything but.

Edited by boyinr
Mike Prince

Mike Prince

Posted
Posted

I got a 14" right at the end of spring season and have had no regrets. I probably wore it for 15-20 games in the spring, during which I get the fit fine-tuned as the padding conformed to my body a bit. My spring season ended after the first round of State Tournament here in late June.

Started our fall season Monday night and put the Douglas on - fit like a glove. I haven't tried an Ultimate or Gold, but I can't imagine that they are much (if any better) than the Douglas. I would not hesitate to recommend this CP to anyone. A big plus was the service that I got from Douglas - very good communications and all my questions were promptly answered.

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