Plate Coat

[Chris Hickman]

Here we go again....hands all over that poor catcher.....

[Marcus6]

He would have looked better, if his chest protector had not been showing

It's hard to fault him for that since that is how it is worn by the majority of umpires.

You will see it a couple different ways. I think its Sam Holbrook wears a long sleeve mock over his. But the plate coat is made to have the CP showing.

Im not a big fan of all the logos either, but I hate the t-shirt over the protector. I think Gibson looks the best.

[Kevin Finnerty]

I have to give the nod to Fittske's look:

,

The Human Umpire Logo

[jkumpire]

I have to give the nod to Fittske's look:

,

The Human Umpire Logo

 

I know it's late on this, but our good friend Fittske looks like some kind of alien from a 1950's sci-fi flick in the picture. I keep waiting for some massive light beams to come out from under his mask and fry some offenseive manager after he's ejected him...

[kylejt]

I keep waiting for some massive light beams to come out from under his mask and fry some offenseive manager after he's ejected him...

 

 

[jkumpire]

kylejt,

 

YES! AND IT COUNTS!

[Platejob29]

I have to agree a plate coat is something that commands respect. Not necessarily that you have to earn it by getting to a certain level of ball or by putting in a certain amount of time but by how well you can back it up. Like Chief said in his story earlier about how when you step on the field in a plate coat you instantly command respect. Along with respect comes attention though and you need to be able to back up what you're wearing with you skills as an umpire. I don't have a strict of rules as Fittz does for what level and all that but if you're not prepared o bring your "A" game don't put it on. I just got my first plate coat this year and used it quite a lot this fall at all levels from Varisty all the way down to kid ball games. I didn't have a college game on the stick that was cold enough to wear it though. My only rules for when it's ok to wear one are 1) be able to back it up, and 2) only wear it if it's too cold for the long sleeve.