Suggestions for UMPY Awards

[midmoump]

Umpire junkies are a VERY small niche market. However, I believe our discussion and opinions of umpire products do make a difference to manufacturers and retailers, and influence the buying decisions of our fellow umpires.

Last year I started the Umpire Merchandise Products of the Year (U.M.P.Y.) awards to recognize the year's best umpire products. This November I will continue the U.M.P.Y Awards and name winners in ten categories:

Best Hockey Style Helmet

Best Traditional Mask

Best Chest Protector

Best Leg Guards

Best Shirt

Best Pants

Best Plate Shoes

Best Umpire Accessory

Best Training Aid

I am soliciting suggestions and opinions regarding this year's selections from the umpire community. Which products do you think are deserving, and why?

[mazzamouth]

Best Hockey Style Helmet.. No idea..

Best Traditional Mask.. Wilson titanium

Best Chest Protector...Douglas

Best Leg Guards... Honigs K20

Best Shirt... Honigs

Best Pants... Honigs Poly Wools

Best Plate Shoes.. Reebok's

Best Umpire Accessory...

Best Training Aid.. Books and Balk DVD

I am soliciting suggestions and opinions regarding this year's selections from the umpire community. Which products do you think are deserving, and why?

I put my answers in there... I think every umpire should own manual's.. DVD's..

[Mike Prince]

Umpire junkies are a VERY small niche market. However, I believe our discussion and opinions of umpire products do make a difference to manufacturers and retailers, and influence the buying decisions of our fellow umpires.

Last year I started the Umpire Merchandise Products of the Year (U.M.P.Y.) awards to recognize the year's best umpire products. This November I will continue the U.M.P.Y Awards and name winners in ten categories:

Best Hockey Style Helmet

Best Traditional Mask Diamond iX3 (with replacement pads) - best mask for the money

Best Chest Protector Douglas - although not widely available

Best Leg Guards

Best Shirt

Best Pants

Best Plate Shoes Reebok - comfort & protection

Best Umpire Accessory Ump-Attire ball bag, Champro 'balls first' indicator

Best Training Aid

I am soliciting suggestions and opinions regarding this year's selections from the umpire community. Which products do you think are deserving, and why?

My humble submittals...

[JaxRolo]

Best Traditional Mask.. Diamond iX3 (with replacement pads) - best mask for the money. Taken several shots-no dents, no pain.

Best Chest Protector...Gold Might be bulky but don't feel a thing.

Best Leg Guards... Gerry Davis - 2 straps

Best Shirt... Honigs, Smittys(Cheap)

Best Pants... Honigs Poly Wools

Best Plate Shoes.. Reebok's

Best Umpire Accessory... Dri-Lo Ball bags

Best Training Aid.. Jim Evans Balk DVD

[Paperipper17]

Best Hockey Style Helmet

Best Traditional Mask-Diamond iX3. With Doeskin replacement pads.

Best Chest Protector-Love my Champion p220, but probably WV Gold

Best Leg Guards

Best Shirt-Smitty-best for comfort, price, fit, and true color.

Best Pants

Best Plate Shoes-Reebok. I could stand in mine all day.

Best Umpire Accessory-Diamond Deluxe equipment bag

Best Training Aid-This site. All the information comes together here, and if you need video aids, someone can tell you where to get 'em for cheap. But that isn't a product, so I have to say casebooks. I love casebooks.

Edited October 19, 2010 by Paperipper17

[kylejt]

Best Hockey Style Helmet - Any of the All Star System 7 buckets, they're a major step forward

Best Traditional Mask - Champro Magnesium with WV standard pads

Best Chest Protector - Still like my Platinum

Best Leg Guards - Bauer hockey official shins guards

Best Shirt - +POS long sleeve. It's lined, and as warm as any jacket. Long out of stock.

Best Pants - Honig's poly wools. Anything else is a distant second.

Best Plate Shoes - NB450, they don't gum up in muddy Turface like my Reeboks. Close though.

Best Umpire Accessory - +POS scraper brush. Great for cleaning muddy plates, and very thin and light.

Best Training Aid - Watching Minor league umpires

[Umpire in Chief]

Umpire junkies are a VERY small niche market. However, I believe our discussion and opinions of umpire products do make a difference to manufacturers and retailers, and influence the buying decisions of our fellow umpires.

Last year I started the Umpire Merchandise Products of the Year (U.M.P.Y.) awards to recognize the year's best umpire products. This November I will continue the U.M.P.Y Awards and name winners in ten categories:

Best Hockey Style Helmet ???

Best Traditional Mask Wilson DynaLite

Best Chest Protector Wilson Gold

Best Leg Guards torn among a few

Best Shirt UmpAttire Ultimate

Best Pants

Best Plate Shoes

Best Umpire Accessory UmpAttire Ultimate Ball Bag

Best Training Aid J/R manual

I am soliciting suggestions and opinions regarding this year's selections from the umpire community. Which products do you think are deserving, and why?

I'll add a few more categories:

Best Short form (1 week or less) Camp/Clinic: International Camp

Best Socks: UnderArmour baseball socks.

Best Cup: Shock Doctor Carbon Fiber I have several cups but no NuttyBuddy yet.

Best performance undershirt: Champion C9

Best umpire website: Umpire-Empire -- Sorry couldn't resist.:bang:

[midmoump]

Thanks, guys! Good input. Keep 'em coming!

I tried a website survey awhile back and had very good results. Unfortunately, it became obvious that one (nameless) manufacturer was skewing the results by voting too often. Your suggestions really mean a lot.

[NWA_UMP]

Midmo...I bet they have a name...weather you name them or not is a differnt issue...

[UmpTTS43]

Best Traditional Mask Wilson Titanium

Best Chest Protector Wilson Platinum

Best Shirt Honigs

Best Pants Honigs Poly Wool

Best Plate Shoes NB 450

Best Umpire Accessory Force 3 Socks / Dry-Lo Ball Bags

Best Training Aid Maximizing the 2 Umpire System

[zm1283]

Best Traditional Mask: Wilson Titanium

Best Chest Protector: Douglas (I've worn the Platinum, Gold and Douglas extensively)

Best Leg Guards: Wilson Charcoal

Best Shirt: Smitty....short and long sleeve

Best Pants: Poly wools

Best Plate Shoes: Reebok

Best Umpire Accessory: Diamond Equipment Bag

Best Training Aid: Clinics

[midmoump]

Thanks for all the input. Keep 'em coming!

Pete

[D62 blue]

Umpire junkies are a VERY small niche market. However, I believe our discussion and opinions of umpire products do make a difference to manufacturers and retailers, and influence the buying decisions of our fellow umpires.

Last year I started the Umpire Merchandise Products of the Year (U.M.P.Y.) awards to recognize the year's best umpire products. This November I will continue the U.M.P.Y Awards and name winners in ten categories:

Best Hockey Style Helmet dont use

Best Traditional Mask ix3 diamond

Best Chest Protector douglas

Best Leg Guards pro9 (dont hear much about the brand)

Best Shirt honigs (USA)

Best Pants GD charcoal

Best Plate Shoes NB450

Best Umpire Accessory

Best Training Aid local area clinics

I am soliciting suggestions and opinions regarding this year's selections from the umpire community. Which products do you think are deserving, and why?

also :

best under shirt Mc David (mock neck)

best comp short/cup shock doctor & carbon flex cup

marc

Edited October 29, 2010 by D62 blue

[NWA_UMP]

D...

How do you like the Pro9 guards? I have thought about purchasing but have not pulled the trigger...

[D62 blue]

D...

How do you like the Pro9 guards? I have thought about purchasing but have not pulled the trigger...

i have worn them for three seasons now . they are very comfortable to me , well vented and not too hot either . the knee (padding) is unusually thick , it doesnt bother me when putting on plate pants some think it is too bulky . depending on the size of youre legs , maybe this could be an issue . the design is such that you dont usually have any straps binding into youre skin around the calf , because of the way the material wraps around the sides and covers (protects) . i have taken many direct hits up to JV HS gms never felt any thing . they are amazingly light for the amount of bulk at the knee . many umpires around in my local area use pro9 guards and also the traditional mask is excellent (i have one ) .

marc

[Fittske24]

Best Hockey Style Helmet: All-star System 7

Best Traditional Mask: Nike Pro Tradition (titanium)

Best Chest Protector: Douglas 13"

Best Leg Guards: Wilson West Vest Pro Umpire Shin Guards

Best Shirt: Honig’s (Made in USA version)

Best Pants: Honig’s Poly-wool (charcoal)

Best Plate Shoes: Reebok Field Magistrate

Best Umpire Accessory: Diamond Deluxe Pro Umpires Gear Bag

Best Training Aid: Clinics/Camps

[D62 blue]

Best Hockey Style Helmet: All-star System 7

Best Traditional Mask: Nike Pro Tradition (titanium)

Best Chest Protector: Douglas 13"

Best Leg Guards: Wilson West Vest Pro Umpire Shin Guards

Best Shirt: Honig’s (Made in USA version)

Best Pants: Honig’s Poly-wool (charcoal)

Best Plate Shoes: Reebok Field Magistrate

Best Umpire Accessory: Diamond Deluxe Pro Umpires Gear Bag

Best Training Aid: Clinics/Camps

where do you buy the nike pro mask , is it alot $$$$ . how about a photo ?

marc

[Umpire in Chief]

The Nike mask is not made available to the public. I've heard you can get it in Japan, but am not sure.

I like the look of it but I think they are probably too expensive for umpire use, at least at the amateur level.

I seem to remember Posada having to get a new mask twice in one game because they dented.

[Fittske24]

where do you buy the nike pro mask , is it alot $$$$ . how about a photo ?

marc

Here are a few pics of the mask. First is the Nike mask the second is the Nike next to my other Wilson titanium.

They are not available to the public .Yes they are expensive. Nike retails them for $2000 (Which i don’t believe). I will agree with Warren, that they may be too expensive for umpire use at least at the amateur level. As far as denting, I do think thy are constructed better than the Wilson titanium. The welds on the Nike mask are more "finished" where the welds on the Wilson look more like simple "tack" welds. No mask is indestructible, but as far as titaniums go this by far is better.

Every now and then you can catch one on eBay for $350-$700. The only other way is to get one from a MLB player or one of the D1 college catchers that are sponsored by Nike.

[midmoump]

I believe that's MLB umpire Jim Joyce wearing one a year or two ago with a mixture of Wilson pads.

[yawetag]

The only other way is to get one from a MLB player or one of the D1 college catchers that are sponsored by Nike.

College athletes can be sponsored?

[Fittske24]

College athletes can be sponsored?

No. The individual athlete is not sponsored but the team is sponsored.

[Umpire in Chief]

College athletes can be sponsored?

There are so many shenanigans around this it's crazy. -- Just ask Reggie Bush. :D

[hckyosgood30]

Best Traditional Mask Nike Titanium

Best Chest Protector Wilson Platinum (with delta flex harness)

Best Shin Guards Wilson Black triple knee

Best Shirt Honigs

Best Pants Honigs Poly Wool

Best Plate Shoes Reebok Field Magistrate

Best Base Shoes Nike Air Max TR1.3

Best Umpire Accessory Nike Combat Pro Hyper Dri Shirts or Dry-Lo Ball Bags

Best Training Aid Maximizing the 2 Umpire System or any clinic really

[sdix00]

Best Traditional Mask Nike Titanium

Best Chest Protector Wilson Platinum (with delta flex harness)

Best Shin Guards Wilson Black triple knee

Best Shirt Honigs

Best Pants Honigs Poly Wool

Best Plate Shoes Reebok Field Magistrate

Best Base Shoes Nike Air Max TR1.3

Best Umpire Accessory Nike Combat Pro Hyper Dri Shirts or Dry-Lo Ball Bags

Best Training Aid Maximizing the 2 Umpire System or any clinic really

Why do you like the Nike Air Max TR1.3? I am still looking for a good field shoe. Returning my 3n2 plate and base shoes today.

I would nominate the Jim Evans Balk Video as the best training aid. There are several good Mechanics books (although none better than "Maximizing"), but no title meets a greater need and does it better than the JE Balk video.