Douglas CP

[Kevin Finnerty]

I have a surgically rebuilt left shoulder, which included removing the end of the collarbone to get at the joint. When I take a shot on that spur, it's rough. But the Douglas shakes it off pretty well. The Douglas's pads are very thick.

[cardinalfan]

I wore a Douglas for 5 yrs, and the only shot I felt in that time was exactly to the spot you guys are talking about. I had a foul ball that hit the top of the shoulder pad, where it meets the CP. I won't lie. It hurt. I missed almost two weeks with a sore shoulder.

It was at the D2 level, and the chances are very slim for it to happen. Other than that, I loved the Douglas.

[Thunderheads]

I wore a Douglas for 5 yrs, and the only shot I felt in that time was exactly to the spot you guys are talking about. I had a foul ball that hit the top of the shoulder pad, where it meets the CP. I won't lie. It hurt. I missed almost two weeks with a sore shoulder.

It was at the D2 level, and the chances are very slim for it to happen. Other than that, I loved the Douglas.

I had Jeff Cook tighten that gap on mine so they sight closer together!!:)

[slo8140]

And you did not mention that to all of us that ordered one as well...The gap is not too bad. It is a lot smaller than on someother model CPs.

[Thunderheads]

And you did not mention that to all of us that ordered one as well...The gap is not too bad. It is a lot smaller than on someother model CPs.

it was a personal customization ....it's just what I preferred ., doesn't mean everyone else would want it...but glad to hear it's not bad......

[Kevin Finnerty]

I was toying with asking them to put some plastic flaps over the gaps a la the Gold:

[Kevin Finnerty]

I got my new Douglas (!!), so I'm taking the old one to the cobbler for some modification experiments. I'll keep you posted on any ideas that work.

[D62 blue]

I got my new Douglas (!!), so I'm taking the old one to the cobbler for some modification experiments. I'll keep you posted on any ideas that work.

i got mine today , tried it briefly . it is very rigid , especially around the collar bone/neck area . otherwise looks and feels very solid . also appears to very thin (low profile), not too heavy either . i didnt realize that the front plates (plastic) are velcro , and could be moved up/down slightly . i will have to mess around with the fit . i guess to really get the right fit you need to wear and sweat some with it ? any other break in tips or other advice ? kevin i'm interested in what you try with the older CP:question1: . i have a game this weekend , i will have to try out the new douglas . LL juniors game .

d62

[Kevin Finnerty]

I'm going to have him sew the pads together where the shoulder caps meet the clavicle plates to tighten up that gap a little. The new one is a little stiff around the collarbone. I have been able to get the older ones to bend around my collarbone a little.

I also think that wearing this thing snugly is more comfortable than wearing a Gold or Platinum snugly. When I really tighten those down, they're a little less comfortable.

[zm1283]

I wore mine Sunday for the first time and didn't have it tight enough. I tightened the top straps for a game tonight and it fits very well. Better than the Gold and MUCH better than the Platinum. It's noticeably lighter and cooler than the Wilsons, and more low profile too. It stayed up on my collarbone tonight with no problems. I'm 90% sure I'm selling the Gold at this point.

[Thunderheads]

I'm going to have him sew the pads together where the shoulder caps meet the clavicle plates to tighten up that gap a little. The new one is a little stiff around the collarbone. I have been able to get the older ones to bend around my collarbone a little.

I also think that wearing this thing snugly is more comfortable than wearing a Gold or Platinum snugly. When I really tighten those down, they're a little less comfortable.

Kevin, ... I actually had Jeff Cook tighten that gap for me when they built mine. Mine will be here today, I can't wait! I'll keep you posted!:)

[Mike Prince]

UPS dropped mine off yesterday 5 minutes before I left for my games. Got the straps adjusted the best I could in the parking lot and wore it last night. I felt like one of the shoulders sat higher than the other (hopefully it will mold to me over the next game or so) but overall was very comfortable and I felt well protected. Only shot I took was a foul ball to the "shoulder gap" (I can see the scuffs both on the body and the shoulder cap) and I felt nothing.

It was very warm and humid last night so hard to tell how this retains heat because I was hot even when I was BU.

Very impressed - I sold my Diamond iX3 CP to my partner between games :)

[Kevin Finnerty]

Kevin, ... I actually had Jeff Cook tighten that gap for me when they built mine. Mine will be here today, I can't wait! I'll keep you posted!

I hope Jeff Cook doesn't mind me saying it, but he owes you one for staging this mass purchase of Douglases. :)

[Kevin Finnerty]

Very impressed - I sold my Diamond iX3 CP to my partner between games

Nice job!

I wish your partner a lot of luck. :GL:

[Thunderheads]

I hope Jeff Cook doesn't mind me saying it, but he owes you one for staging this mass purchase of Douglases.

Let me just copy and paste this thread!!

Hmmmmmm......let me seeeeee :clap:

[boyinr]

Just came home to find the UPS man had delivered my new 13" Douglas. Took the sting out of having my game rained out. All I can say is WOW!! Very nice piece of gear. I was surprised at its lack of bulk and the low profile as compared to the Platinum. It does seem to sit a little high on the tops of my shoulders but I am sure it will come into my shape as I wear it more. I don't think that the shoulder cap/clavicale gap will be a worry for me. The 13" is the perfect length, right to the bottom rib. I am so glad I made the timely decision to upgrade from the soft shell with plates model while they still had some in stock.

Best of all, when the Mrs. saw it she shrugged her shoulders and rolled her eyes but offered no comment other than "you look stupid wearing that in the kitchen, now please take out the trash".

Edited June 4, 2010 by boyinr

[mazzamouth]

I think it is funny, when I bought this vest and switched, some guys laughed at me... now look...LOL a bunch of you are wearing them...LOL

[Kevin Finnerty]

I didn't laugh.

The Douglas is light, comfortable and resilient. The Gold is the ultimate. I still wear it, but the Douglas is a major joy to wear.

[boyinr]

Thanks MM and KF for your advice on the Douglas. This a great CP. I was in the market for a second to my Platinum. I was thinking about a Wilson Charcoal. Glad I went the extra. I have a feeling that this is going to become a favorite.

[D62 blue]

UPS dropped mine off yesterday 5 minutes before I left for my games. Got the straps adjusted the best I could in the parking lot and wore it last night. I felt like one of the shoulders sat higher than the other (hopefully it will mold to me over the next game or so) but overall was very comfortable and I felt well protected. Only shot I took was a foul ball to the "shoulder gap" (I can see the scuffs both on the body and the shoulder cap) and I felt nothing.

It was very warm and humid last night so hard to tell how this retains heat because I was hot even when I was BU.

Very impressed - I sold my Diamond iX3 CP to my partner between games

i got to wear my douglas cp today for a LL juniors gm . last night i wore it around the house , with a shirt , for about 3 hours trying to get it to conform to my body . i agree that wearing it snug is helpful . i took no shots ,i had great catchers and pitching today . but i felt well protected the cp is solid , it will take another gm or two and some sweating to get it fitting right . the shoulder/clavicle plastic is rigid and isnt quite formed to my shoulder area . it is light and low profile as mentioned on this group .

d62 blue

[AllanA]

Well, I have wore my Douglas for 2 games now. I took a shot in the shoulder today.

Didn't feel a thing. It fits good and is sleek under my shirt. So far all I can say is SWEET!

I wish I would have bought one years ago. I will keep my 3 yr old gold a 1 month

old plat for backups.

[boyinr]

I got to use the brand new Douglas tonight for the first time. I felt it moving around and shifting after about 3 innings. I think that it is going to take a couple of games to break in and adjusted right but, I did like it. Still hard to imagine that a "hardshell" needs to break in. The neck was tight to start but it did loosen up after a bit. The slimmer profile is really nice. Much easier to get the shirt on (important tonight as partner was a no-show). I am going to rotate it with the Platinum for the time being.

[Mike Prince]

I've worn mine for several plate games and I will say it didn't feel totally "right" for the first few. I noticed Saturday that things felt a bit different in a good way as it is conforming to my body. The padding really is what is molding to you,I think the key is to tighten it down pretty good for the first few games.

Completely happy with my purchase, I feel very well protected (catcher proof )wearing this CP. I've probably taken 6 or so shots with this and one I know I would have felt with my former CP (Diamond iX3) on, I felt nothing.

[slo8140]

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.

[Thunderheads]

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.

Slo,

Jeff Cook told me that that is the way the CP comes (on those pieces) however they do mold to your body as you wear it with warmth, etc. That said, you can take these pieces and "loosen" the curvature with your hands a bit as well. Wearing though, is what loosens them....forms them