Upgrade & Addition Advice?

[mjr_2013]

Most of you know I picked up umpiring last year, when I was 16... I bought most of my equipment last year, but it's expensive, and I wasn't able to buy it all. I'm looking to pick up the rest that I need (as well as some upgrades) before the 2012 season begins.

Here is what I'm looking at right now... I really like Ump-Attire, so I'll probably get most everything from there.

Throat Guard: No-Logo 4.5" Throat Guard

I went last year without a throat guard, and relied on the dip in the mask... I read some articles online... I've decided I'm the luckiest man on earth.

Indicator: Markwort Stainless Steel Indicator

I've been using a plastic indicator that used to belong to my brother. I don't have a problem with this, except that he is 24, and used it when he was 14. Needless to say, it is one click away from falling into 7 pieces. Having a near invincible indicator will be nice.

Plate Shoes: New Balance All Black MLB Plate Umpire Shoes - 4E Width

This is the biggest and most needed purchase... My toes somehow survived last year in black tennis shoes. I'm not tempting fate two years in a row.

Jacket: Smitty Major League Style Umpire Jacket - Navy with Red

Do you have any idea what it is like to stand outside in a polo and slacks while it is pouring rain? Well some of you probably do, but for those who don't, it sucks.

Chest Protector: Wilson Charcoal Umpire Chest Protector

Fine I'll say it. You told me so... I didn't like the soft shell at all last year. It wasn't so much getting hit, because I got some good catchers, but the overall feel of it just wasn't there... I didn't feel like I was safe if a 12 year old catcher ducked. I'll probably sell the Champro too if anyone is interested. If not, I'll just go on eBay or Craigslist.

These aren't for sure purchases yet (I'm counting on some birthday $$$), but they are very good possibilities.

And unlike one of my first posts (where you told me so), I WILL listen to you guys this time, so...

Any advice on the products listed? Any suggestions?

[Replacematt]

I still use the same indicator I bought when I was 15...just your average plastic job.

Anyway, I don't think you'll have any issues with what you have there.

[mjr_2013]

One that has been treated well would be fine after 10 years.

Mine has gone through its fair share of being roughed up.

Thanks

[scrounge]

One possible area of cost savings could be the shoes. Sears had these steel toe athletic shoes for $39.95, they're priced at $44.95 on their website now but you might catch a sale or coupon. They're all black, athletic style, not very heavy. To be honest, you could even use them on bases if you wanted. Are they a long-term solution? Probably not...but they'll certainly get you through a couple years just fine.

Roebucks Great Price Men's Steel Toe Shoe

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_067B0018000P?prdNo=22&blockNo=22&blockType=G22

[JaxRolo]

One possible area of cost savings could be the shoes. Sears had these steel toe athletic shoes for $39.95, they're priced at $44.95 on their website now but you might catch a sale or coupon. They're all black, athletic style, not very heavy. To be honest, you could even use them on bases if you wanted. Are they a long-term solution? Probably not...but they'll certainly get you through a couple years just fine.

Roebucks Great Price Men's Steel Toe Shoe

http://www.sears.com...2&blockType=G22

I admit when I first started Umpire I used Steel toes shoes from Walmart. Big Mistake! Don't do it.

Get real Plate shoes that will protect your feet properly. Paying an extra $20-30 is better that having a broken bone and Hospital bills.

:2cents:

[Moriarty_45]

One online supplier has last year's New Balance plate shoes for sale for 70 dollars. D and EE widths. PM me and I will give you the link if interested.

[detailshp]

The experienced guys will tell you not to use an indicator....suprised they haven't said something by now. I have been using the Markwort Stainless for 5 years now ( by the way, if you have kids, a GREAT christmas present from them to you ) that is a fine indicator. If you do JV or Varsity ball, you might consider the hard shell upgrade for the Champro. Its price competitive to the Charcoal, and after using both I use almost exclusively the Champro hard shell. I have added the bicep extensions to mine, and I enjoy it.

[JaxRolo]

The experienced guys will tell you not to use an indicator....surprised they haven't said something by now. I have been using the Markwort Stainless for 5 years now ( by the way, if you have kids, a GREAT Christmas present from them to you ) that is a fine indicator. If you do JV or Varsity ball, you might consider the hard shell upgrade for the Champro. Its price competitive to the Charcoal, and after using both I use almost exclusively the Champro hard shell. I have added the bicep extensions to mine, and I enjoy it.

Please don't tell me your one of those guys that lets the extensions hang out outside of the shirt.

We had a guy at CDP last year do that and he looked ridiculous!

[detailshp]

The experienced guys will tell you not to use an indicator....surprised they haven't said something by now. I have been using the Markwort Stainless for 5 years now ( by the way, if you have kids, a GREAT Christmas present from them to you ) that is a fine indicator. If you do JV or Varsity ball, you might consider the hard shell upgrade for the Champro. Its price competitive to the Charcoal, and after using both I use almost exclusively the Champro hard shell. I have added the bicep extensions to mine, and I enjoy it.

Please don't tell me your one of those guys that lets the extensions hang out outside of the shirt.

We had a guy at CDP last year do that and he looked ridiculous!

LOL- NO. Funny, thats a pretty easily solved problem. The extensions are attached with a looped velcro strap. Ummmm, tighten the strap?

I just included that in there for him because the Charcoal comes standard with the bicep extensions, at least mine did.

[ukce1861]

Check 6pm.com for the NB Plate Shoes. They've had them on sale a couple of times in the last couple of months for $49.99. Got my back-up pair there. Can't beat fifty bucks shipped...

[NWA_UMP]

I'm with Jax on this one...lose the extensions. They make a guy look like Herman Munster and I have not been hit in the arm where those things would have helped in 3 years. I would, however disagree on the CP advice that was given...the Wilson Charcoal to a great budget friendly CP that offers solid protection...

You should be able to pick up NB 450 plate shoes at a solid price with the new 460's hitting the market.

[JaxRolo]

Check 6pm.com for the NB Plate Shoes. They've had them on sale a couple of times in the last couple of months for $49.99. Got my back-up pair there. Can't beat fifty bucks shipped...

I believe they are now $87 AT 6pm.com

[ukce1861]

Check 6pm.com for the NB Plate Shoes. They've had them on sale a couple of times in the last couple of months for $49.99. Got my back-up pair there. Can't beat fifty bucks shipped...

I believe they are now $87 AT 6pm.com

They are right now. But like I said, they've had a couple of short-duration sales recently where they offered them for $50. Obviously there's no guarantee they'll do it again, but if I were in the market for a pair, I'd check every day for a few weeks to see...

[detailshp]

I'm with Jax on this one...lose the extensions. They make a guy look like Herman Munster and I have not been hit in the arm where those things would have helped in 3 years. I would, however disagree on the CP advice that was given...the Wilson Charcoal to a great budget friendly CP that offers solid protection...

You should be able to pick up NB 450 plate shoes at a solid price with the new 460's hitting the market.

In my experience, Bicep extensions are a sore spot with a lot of umpires. And, those same umpires will give you the standard line about looking like a linebacker, herman munster, and so forth. I used to be one of those guys until one year I got whacked about 4 times on the left bicep.

Personally, after not having them, and then having them, I think a lot of it has to do with your arm positioning when you drop down into your stance. I am an "old school" box stance hands on legs ( fingers tucked just underneath my double knee guards- to keep from getting a broken finger ) guy. It just helps me "lock in" and keep my head still and track the ball with my eyes into the mitt. This more than likely has something to do with me getting a few more arm shots.

I am not umpiring to win any fashion contests, or figure out if my 40 year old + body can still absorb needless punishment. but I do keep my uniforms clean and neat. I have never once had a coach or evaluator tell me to lose the bicep extensions. But, then again, I have never had them hang out from under my shirt either.

[kylejt]

I got a pair of those $50 NB shoes this week. Just keep checking that link, they might go on sale again. I, too, had the Sears shoes when I started out. Trust me, your money is better spent up front, than down the road.

Not a fan of shiny, heavy metal indicators. My great wife had one custom engraved for me. Couldn't use it (and I'm not sure where it is, but don't tell her). Use one without guilt, but just bury your nose in it. I use one about 30% of the time now.

The Charcoal is a fine rig. Lots of big plates and thick cushioning. Are the next level rigs that much better? Not really, But trust me on this, you will pine for one down the road. I've got a Platinum as my main protector, with a couple of backups. Love that thing.I think if you spend $90 on a Charcoal, you will wish you'd spent the extra $40 or so somewhere down the line.

If a Navy jacket is what's worn in your area, that'll be fine. If not, black with white stripes is kinda the universal color.

Thumb's up on the throat protector. Put on all your gear, get in your stance, and have someone take a side picture of you. See that gap? That will tell you where you need to mount it. On all my masks, it's on the inner rung, with a short protector.

Bicep protectors are fine IF they don't stick out of your shirt. I don't use them, but everybody is built differently. In fact, I've removed the pads under the arm extension plates on my Platinum, as they only cover meat on me. And that's my deciding factor. Meat vs. bone. Try to cover the bones.

[Kevin Finnerty]

NB 450s for $69.99 Lots of sizes still available.

Biceps protectors:

[misterblack36]

Finn, I sent you a PM. Wanted to give you a heads up. Thanks.

[Thunderheads]

Finn, I sent you a PM. Wanted to give you a heads up. Thanks.

don't be hiding online deals from the rest of the bretheren, ok ?!? PLEASE ?! :)

[hckyosgood30]

Kevin,

Come now only 25's! You at least need to step it up the 40's by now right? J/K.... I agree with the non bicep extensions. The charcoal will serve you well. As for anything else you need, the sky is kinda the limit there. On any uniform decisions see what your local association wants/has more of. You don't want to buy a navy jacket/powder blue shirt and then no one wears it anymore. Also pants, have base and plate and multiple pairs if you can afford it so you can rotate them.

[misterblack36]

Finn, I sent you a PM. Wanted to give you a heads up. Thanks.

don't be hiding online deals from the rest of the bretheren, ok ?!? PLEASE ?!

Actually, not an online deal. I just wanted to ask Finn's opinion on his steamer that he talks about and didn't feel I should devote an entire thread to that! Anyway, it's out there now so if anyone wants to chime in on a good steamer recommendation that's easy on the budget and would be used for umpire gear are only, fire away.

[ukce1861]

Finn, I sent you a PM. Wanted to give you a heads up. Thanks.

don't be hiding online deals from the rest of the bretheren, ok ?!? PLEASE ?!

Actually, not an online deal. I just wanted to ask Finn's opinion on his steamer that he talks about and didn't feel I should devote an entire thread to that! Anyway, it's out there now so if anyone wants to chime in on a good steamer recommendation that's easy on the budget and would be used for umpire gear are only, fire away.

Um, please start a new thread to discuss this. We NEED this discussion. I want to buy one of these so I can give my wife more opportunity to mock me.

And yes, I'm being serious, except for wanting to buy one for my wife to mock me - that's just a semi-unfortunate consequence...

[hckyosgood30]

easy on the budget. The shower and an iron!

[scrounge]

Clarification: the Sears shoes or other steel toe work shoes clearly aren't a great solution, but if those $50 saved could be difference between a soft chest protector or a not great one or getting a used Gold/Platinum or even a new one, I'd say the better chest protector is a worthwhile tradeoff. I was unemployed when I started, so I had to pinch pennies wherever I could and the Sears shoes were passable...but I jumped on a pair of clearance NB plate shoes at the end of the year (after I found a job too!) as soon as I could.

[JaxRolo]

NB 450s for $69.99 Lots of sizes still available.

Biceps protectors:

Do you strap them on with Duct Tape?

[mjr_2013]

LOL... I leave for 16 hours for school, and you guys throw 2 pages to me.

Thanks for the advice on the plate shoes, I'd love to save $50 or $60... I know some are against the use of an indicator, but for now and the foreseeable future, I plan on using one. At this point of still starting out as an ump, I like the count to be one less thing to worry about. Just move your thumb in the right spot every pitch and you're good. Without one, I just have a feeling the first time my partner loses the count will be the time I draw a blank.