Chest Protector for a large person

[midwayll]

I am UIC for our local LL and this year I have convinced the Board to buy chest protectors for our volunteers. In year's past we only had the balloon. The umpires are only doing LL Minors and Majors and I am going to get some combination of the Champion P200 series (P200, P210, P220). I have the P220 (13" model) and it is great for this age group. However, seeing as how not everyone is the same size, I was also going to get the P210 which is the 15" model. But we have one guy who is quite large. He isn't very tall, about 5'8", but wears a XXXL shirt. Which model, if any, do you think will fit him? I don't want to get one that will be too long for him, but I need to make sure it will fit across his chest. Thoughts?

Thanks,

Chris

[Thunderheads]

Hey Chris!

5-8? Not sure ...

I have the 15" (pre Douglas ) ...and I'm 5-11. But, it doesn't matter really how tall you are, ..it has to do with your build overall. Remember, someone can be taller than you, but have a shorter inseam, right?

The Champions aren't any 'wider' ....just longer,...so I'd think you'd have to look at his overall build to ensure the 15 won't be too long

[scrounge]

The Champro Pro Plus soft shell comes in a 16 in size and Champion has a soft shell that comes in a 17 in size. Perhaps those might work? Otherwise, if the dude won't be around too long (e.g., a student), maybe it's not worth buying a protector for one unique size...I dunno.

[midwayll]

Hey, Jeff! Been a while. I'm just coming out of hibernation, haha.

That's what I was thinking, that they weren't any wider, and I didn't want to get something too long. But honestly, I'm not sure if it is wide enough. Are there chest protectors that come wider than a standard like the Champion? My initial thought was to get 1 13" and 1 15" for the league. I just wasn't sure about this one guy.

[midwayll]

The Champro Pro Plus soft shell comes in a 16 in size and Champion has a soft shell that comes in a 17 in size. Perhaps those might work? Otherwise, if the dude won't be around too long (e.g., a student), maybe it's not worth buying a protector for one unique size...I dunno.

Yep, the whole "unique" size is something I have thought of as well. I guess as long as the CP covers his ribs, he'll be fine.

[yawetag]

Forgive me for going litigious, but is there an extra liability if the park provides the gear?

[NWA_UMP]

Yawetag...

I'm in no way a lawyer....I would think that with most activities there could or should be a wavier to cover the league. I have never understood folks suing someone for a "good faith" effort. Trying to provide a "reasonable" level of protection is one of those "good faith" actions...

[midwayll]

Forgive me for going litigious, but is there an extra liability if the park provides the gear?

Excellent question. I was actually thinking of donating the CPs and asked our League President and VP if I did was I opening myself up to a lawsuit. They weren't sure so then I asked them if the league would pay. They said, yes. The league already provides face masks, shin guards, and the godawful balloon, so adding the CPs is no big deal. The league carries LL mandated insurance so we are covered.

[midwayll]

Agree, NWA_Ump. And that is what I thought when I discussed donating the equipment. But in the end I decided to go the easy and safe way just to be sure. We really aren't in any danger as a league, especially with the LL mandated insurance coverage we have.

[kylejt]

Champion makes the P200, which is a 17". I got one for a big guy at my park, and it works fine. It's a hard shell, as I don't send anyone to a baseball diamond with a soft protector.

They're okay, but the protection is not as good as a West Vest.

[johnnyg08]

Can I ask why the umpires wouldn't have their own gear?

[johnnyg08]

I have never understood folks suing someone for a "good faith" effort. Trying to provide a "reasonable" level of protection is one of those "good faith" actions...

That is the world we live in now. It's all about the quick buck w/o having to work for it.

[JaxRolo]

I am UIC for our local LL and this year I have convinced the Board to buy chest protectors for our volunteers. In year's past we only had the balloon. The umpires are only doing LL Minors and Majors and I am going to get some combination of the Champion P200 series (P200, P210, P220). I have the P220 (13" model) and it is great for this age group. However, seeing as how not everyone is the same size, I was also going to get the P210 which is the 15" model. But we have one guy who is quite large. He isn't very tall, about 5'8", but wears a XXXL shirt. Which model, if any, do you think will fit him? I don't want to get one that will be too long for him, but I need to make sure it will fit across his chest. Thoughts?

Thanks,

Chris

He may need a balloon for each arm!!!! :smachhead:

[kylejt]

My adult umpires are volunteers, and the rest are kids. I have a umpire's changing room full of protective gear, shoes, shirts, jackets and pants, ready to go. All donated (mostly by me) to encourage participation. And it works, as most nights I have to turn away umpires.

[midwayll]

Can I ask why the umpires wouldn't have their own gear?

The umpires I use do have their own. But I don't have enough guys to cover all the games. We are a small league and simply do not get the volunteers. So for the games that I can't cover or the other umpires can't cover, it's left to the managers and coaches to do it. They don't have their own gear because they are not umpires. But I give them credit because they do the games when necessary without complaint.

[midwayll]

My adult umpires are volunteers, and the rest are kids. I have a umpire's changing room full of protective gear, shoes, shirts, jackets and pants, ready to go. All donated (mostly by me) to encourage participation. And it works, as most nights I have to turn away umpires.

I wish I had this. But it'll never happen.

[kylejt]

Start a Junior umpire program, and teach the kids. It's the best thing our league has ever done. The lessons they learn transcend baseball, and carry them throughout life.

[NWA_UMP]

My son started calling 8 year old machine pitch when he was 12. He is now 15 and he is calling most 11/12 year old's but has worked some fall ball 13-16. He played ball as well...he has a solid grasp on the rules and even explained to an umpire that a runner was required to slide for a play at the plate(USSSA- FPSL) and got the call reversed when U1 asked U2 about the ruling....

Our local league uses kids exclusively for the younger age groups...some have work up thru the ranks as they got older to work game while in college for extra beverage money :cheers:

[Kevin Finnerty]

I have never understood folks suing someone for a "good faith" effort. Trying to provide a "reasonable" level of protection is one of those "good faith" actions...

That is the world we live in now. It's all about the quick buck w/o having to work for it.

By the time that frivolous lawsuit is even heard, everything I own will be sprinkled among my family and close friends.

And the suit will be filed and the case will be heard and the judgment will be made without my participation. If it's just plain wrong, screw the law and some peoples' use of it.

[hckyosgood30]

Let him continue with the balloon, and if he wants a better one and is interested in continuing give him the websites for gear and wish him luck.