WV Platinum

[sgvump]

Hello all! I know there has been a few threads about the WV Platinum, but I wanted to get some fresh responses about this product. I'm currently considering buying the WV Platinum 12". I currently have the Champion 13" CP and I'm looking to ump Pony and High school ball this upcomingseason and want to make sure I have the best protection available. Thanks in advance! :)

[hckyosgood30]

Sgvump,

I as most on here will always advocate buying the best gear you can. As for the chest protector being "$300" its no where close to that. If you call Mike over at empire-sports a local socal store he sold me mine for $130. Buy the best, and buy the gear made for umpires. Not, costco dickies, or izod polos. I know guys who are on the board of my association that during the summer wear sweated out hats, gray ripped socks, old faded almost pink pants, and regular izod polo shirts. And they look terrible, you can save money buy shopping around and guys on here will put up deals when we see them. But always try to buy the best, it will look, feel, and fit better. And its my belief when an umpire feels protected, and thinks he looks good he'll have more confidence in his game as well.

just my $0.02

[Majordave]

Amen to what he (osgood30) said. Based on what this "instructor" has told you so far I would recommend doing what I did when I coached, whatever my high school baseball coach did back in the day, do the opposite and it will be right on most occasions. Sounds like a half-smitty at least, maybe a full-smitty but you be the judge. I had similar issues with most of the leadership in my first association.

[conbo61]

Hello all! I know there has been a few threads about the WV Platinum, but I wanted to get some fresh responses about this product. I'm currently considering buying the WV Platinum 12". I asked the instructor of an association in So. Cal. what he thought about the CP and that I was considering buying one and his response was " Well think about it do you really need a $300 chest protector, probably not". Followed by " You can also buy your umpire pants at JC Penney". After being a member on this board and reading all of the useful insights you all give, I know this is far from the truth, and that umps should buy the best equipment available if possible. I currently have the Champion 13" CP and I'm looking to ump Pony and High school ball this upcomingseason and want to make sure I have the best protection available. Thanks in advance!

I purchased this CP right at the start and I have not regretted once. I umpire at the HS, Legion, Connie Mack levels and have taken some hard, direct shots, with no ill effects. If you can afford it, go for it. You don't want to be in the ER regretting your choice.

As for appearance, I agree wholeheartedly with the other two folks. You represent your association when you step on the field and if you do not present a squared away appearance, right or wrong, people will immediately make assumptions about your ability as an umpire.

[sgvump]

Thank you guys for the input! I have a very good idea and know what is acceptable to wear and not as far as equipment goes, based on what I have learned from everyone on here.The last thing I'd want is to look "smitty" out on the field. I have had a great interest in the Gold and Platinum. I have recently been leaning towards the platinum, but wanted to confirm and get some feedback before purchasing.

[jnazz]

Thank you guys for the input! I have a very good idea and know what is acceptable to wear and not as far as equipment goes, based on what I have learned from everyone on here.The last thing I'd want is to look "smitty" out on the field. I have had a great interest in the Gold and Platinum. I have recently been leaning towards the platinum, but wanted to confirm and get some feedback before purchasing.

I tried on many different CPs (probably 7 or 8 various hard and soft shell CPs) before I finally decided on the Platinum. I was torn between the WV Gold and the Platinum. They are both top end protectors but in the end I liked the more compact feel of the Platinum (the Gold seemed a little bulky for my liking). I know several local guys who swear by the Gold. Either way, you can't go wrong.

Note: if you're at all interested in a soft shell CP, a partner whom I work 50ish games with a season loves his Honig's Zero Gravity. He's always been a soft shell guy and raves about the CP. He said it took a few games to get the proper fit and get used to it (like any CP).

[dleavitt39]

I tried both in a few games(gold and platinum), and another person on this board summed it up best. I used to support the platinum...until I tried the Gold...then i was sold on gold. For my umpire style(I use a box, with a bit of a forward lean), the platinum just didn't fit snugly enough for my to feel safe around the collar bone. It flared outward with my forward lean. I switched to the gold, and haven't had that feeling since. The gold fits snugly, and right where I want it to be. Don't have to adjust it during the game, it's like I don't even know it's there, and as for the "bulkiness" issue you brought up, I found the Platinum to be bulkier because of that added front pad. The Gold has a bit more size over the shoulders, but it's very fitting down the front.

DL

[Fittske24]

I asked the instructor of an association in So. Cal. .....

If this guy is an 'instructor' of an association giving advice like that..... I'd might want to find another association.

Now, the first thing my umpire mentors told me when buying equipment: "Go cheap on your equipment.... go expensive on your doctor bills!" The fact that you want to move up shows that you may be serious about your umpiring. If you get top of the line equipment, you won't have to worry about any level of baseball you do from Pony's to Pro's.

[Majordave]

I should probably just leave it alone but I can't resist. I have had so much umpire equipment, especially chest protectors that I need to weigh in here.

So far, in order, I have owned/worn the following Chest Protectors:

1. Diamond iX3-Did not protect me from high school level pitching-sold it before I ever worked a game in it. (tested it by letting high school players line up and throw at me from sixty or seventy feet away and felt EVERY one of the balls that hit me. Didn't hurt but I knew......

2. Original West Vest (Basic one with adjustable plates-velcro)- very protective but it was used and smelled bad due to prior use so I shopped for new. Was a bit bulky.

3. +POS BB2000 (?) the plastic Samurai blocks on the front with rubber/naugahyde coated padding. Too bulky and too hot. Wore it one time, used when I got it.

4. Honig's K-1 (XL size in black and L size in silver)-very comfortable with nice coverage and optional 2 inch or 4 inch extension that flexes for stomach/lower ribcage extension. I quit wearing this style when I got punked by a foul ball and felt it during a D-1 college fall scrimmage.

5. +POS AU21/BB3000- zip in the front style. Very cool looking and easy to put on but too bulky and would have required me to buy all new shirts to fit over it.

6. West Vest Platinum-Another one that looks great, fit well but too bulky for me. I couldn't even get a shirt over it. Never wore it in a game but I had no doubt it would give the protection I wanted.

7. West Vest Gold (small, baby-sized). I absolutely love this CP. I first saw one on Rob Drake's blog. He was approximately my size and he raved on and on about it. I saw it listed on Ump-Attire website and called Jim Kirk, talked umpiring, business, equipment, etc. (Jim bought Ump-Attire from it's founder. She was a former client of mine when I was a practicing attorney and I often advised her to take on some professional business advisers or partners and to find a good marketing/internet expert to help her with the marketing of her products.) Jim and I had never spoken up to that point but he obviously saw a good thing and put his money where his mouth was.

And here we are. I love my Baby WV Gold. It protects what I need protected. I feel absolutely safe and completely comfortable wearing it in any game from LL 10yo "all-stars" to Division I NCAA. I don't plan on buying anything else but you never know........

My point here is to keep on trying and looking for what works for you. There are a lot of choices and the same size does not fit all in equipment.

My two cents.......

[Umpire in Chief]

Jim Kirk had an interesting recent blog post about the Gold & Platinum http://umpattire.blogspot.com/2011/01/not-what-you-think-lengths-of-wilson.html

I've worn both and went with the Gold. It fit me better and I liked that it had thicker padding.

Before buying the Gold I was considering the Gold, Platinum & Honigs K-1

[Jeff C.]

I bought the Platinum after reading here and another site. I haven't looked back. Took a foul ball last year straight into the chest. Didn't feel a thing. I use mine for everything from U10 and up.

[Umpire in Chief]

If your interested Boyiner has a complete set of gear for sale in our classifieds section: http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/classifieds/item/4-complete-wilson-platinum-gear/

[BigZigBlue]

ight now you fellers! In three days I took four foul balls in my CP. Didn't feel a darn thing. I got a Plat. and yes its a little bulky but thats what I want when I have a pitcher that is pitching in high 80s to mid 90s. I also have the diamond iX3 that I only use when its 90 degrees or above...cause down here in Louisiana when its humid and hot..its bad guys more worried bout passing out than taking a pitch or foul ball. Plus I am not worried bout getting hit because its part of the game to me. I got a scare that are laces on my left bicep from a kid that is throwing at LSU (last name of Garcia). But yes it sucks getting beamed but I'm so tuned into the game I do not feel it until after the game. But back to the topic..I see the Gold for more of a smaller/narrow chested umpire...and the plat for guys like me that are real wide in the shoulders and chest area.

[sgvump]

Thanks for all of the input! As for the gold, would I be better off with a M/L or L/XL ,as I am 5'8 175? I want as much length as I can get, without the CP being too bulky.

[catsbackr]

Hope you try these on first. You'll be very suprised how short they both are. They cover the ribs but that's about it.

[boyinr]

Thanks for all of the input! As for the gold, would I be better off with a M/L or L/XL ,as I am 5'8 175? I want as much length as I can get, without the CP being too bulky.

See Jim Kirk's blog on Ump-Attire. He breaks down all the measurements of the different sizes. Given the demensions that you stated I would think that the M/L would be a better fit. Length is nice but you also want it to fit closely and move with you. If it is too big you will slip and slide around in it.

[JaxRolo]

Thanks for all of the input! As for the gold, would I be better off with a M/L or L/XL ,as I am 5'8 175? I want as much length as I can get, without the CP being too bulky.

I am 5'8 195# and I wear a M/L very comfortably.

[Mike Prince]

I will echo the comments to buy the best you can the first time.

I started with a Diamond iX3 and thought it was fine for several games until I took a pitch from a 10 year old that I felt (and it hurt). In short order I was wearing a Douglas. I've learned in my short time umpiring not to sacrifice protection for a bit of comfort. This means that this past year I was the only one in our Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth crew that wore plate shoes and a hardshell protector. I get hit more in a 9 year old game than I will in a 13-15 game due to the quality of (or lack of) catching and two of the worst hits I have had were the one mentioned above and a pitch that caught me right on the big toe (without plate shoes) in an 11U game. The point is that pro-level gear is not only for the big boy games.

I made a all too common mistake and started with lesser gear. I can say that every major gear upgrade I made (hardshell CP, plate shoes and throat protector) were direct results of being hit with lesser or no protection. i wish I had been smarter and listened more closely to the years of experience here when I was starting out.

I am going to do HS ball this year and as a result (and state mandate) have joined a real association. We've had pre-season weekly clinics this month and will continue into next month when the season starts. At last night's meeting we had a full session on the importance of pre and post game preparation, pretty much the lifecycle from getting your assignment to leaving the parking lot after the game, pretty much a lesson in preparedness and professionalism. The instructor had his gear bag there to show new umpires what the gear expectations were. He had all pro-level gear (WV Gold, Reebok plate shoes, etc.). To me the most refreshing thing was when we discussed uniform standards - pressed pants/shirts (he passed around brand new Poly-Wools as an example of what to buy), polished shoes, creased caps and an emphasis on looking professional. The gear point that was made was buy what you want, but buy smart - no one's going to feel sorry for you on the field when you get drilled by a pitch and don't have the right gear on.

[zm1283]

I will echo the comments to buy the best you can the first time.

I started with a Diamond iX3 and thought it was fine for several games until I took a pitch from a 10 year old that I felt (and it hurt). In short order I was wearing a Douglas. I've learned in my short time umpiring not to sacrifice protection for a bit of comfort. This means that this past year I was the only one in our Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth crew that wore plate shoes and a hardshell protector. I get hit more in a 9 year old game than I will in a 13-15 game due to the quality of (or lack of) catching and two of the worst hits I have had were the one mentioned above and a pitch that caught me right on the big toe (without plate shoes) in an 11U game. The point is that pro-level gear is not only for the big boy games.

I made a all too common mistake and started with lesser gear. I can say that every major gear upgrade I made (hardshell CP, plate shoes and throat protector) were direct results of being hit with lesser or no protection. i wish I had been smarter and listened more closely to the years of experience here when I was starting out.

I am going to do HS ball this year and as a result (and state mandate) have joined a real association. We've had pre-season weekly clinics this month and will continue into next month when the season starts. At last night's meeting we had a full session on the importance of pre and post game preparation, pretty much the lifecycle from getting your assignment to leaving the parking lot after the game, pretty much a lesson in preparedness and professionalism. The instructor had his gear bag there to show new umpires what the gear expectations were. He had all pro-level gear (WV Gold, Reebok plate shoes, etc.). To me the most refreshing thing was when we discussed uniform standards - pressed pants/shirts (he passed around brand new Poly-Wools as an example of what to buy), polished shoes, creased caps and an emphasis on looking professional. The gear point that was made was buy what you want, but buy smart - no one's going to feel sorry for you on the field when you get drilled by a pitch and don't have the right gear on.

I agree with your general idea in this post, but not every new guy needs new polywool pants. There are other pants out there that work great for high school umpires and can look professional too.

[JaxRolo]

I will echo the comments to buy the best you can the first time.

I am going to do HS ball this year and as a result (and state mandate) have joined a real association. We've had pre-season weekly clinics this month and will continue into next month when the season starts. At last night's meeting we had a full session on the importance of pre and post game preparation, pretty much the lifecycle from getting your assignment to leaving the parking lot after the game, pretty much a lesson in preparedness and professionalism. The instructor had his gear bag there to show new umpires what the gear expectations were. He had all pro-level gear (WV Gold, Reebok plate shoes, etc.). To me the most refreshing thing was when we discussed uniform standards - pressed pants/shirts (he passed around brand new Poly-Wools as an example of what to buy), polished shoes, creased caps and an emphasis on looking professional. The gear point that was made was buy what you want, but buy smart - no one's going to feel sorry for you on the field when you get drilled by a pitch and don't have the right gear on.

I agree with your general idea in this post, but not every new guy needs new polywool pants. There are other pants out there that work great for high school umpires and can look professional too.

I agree I have a pair of Polywool but also have the Honigs non-polywools and Smitty and they are just fine.

[Mike Prince]

True, I guess my real point in my rambling post was that it is nice to work in an association with high standards, not that buying Poly-Wools was a requirement. I personally will be wearing my Smitty charcoals from last season (if they will fit, I have lost a considerable amount of weight since last season).

[amarillo]

After reading that post I sent an email to my rep asking when our dress standards instructional day (a great idea) is going to be

Side note: Are the Smitty and Honigs pants close enough in color to pass the standing next to the other umpire test

[slo8140]

Not sure about the Smitty, but the Gerry Davis that I used to wear were not a match. I planned on moving to Polywools this year, but I got a great deal...about $10 a pair...on Smitty pants when SOS had their last big sale. The polywools can wait.

[Mike Prince]

From my experience, Smitty charcoals are a very close match color-wise to the Poly-Wools. I bought mine from Ump-Attire last year, the 'new and improved' version. I will use them until I get a few game checks and can get another pair of plate and base pants.

[semperfiguy]

i love my WV Platinum. I call from Mens League down. Very comfortable, and I find it is very secure with just the right amount of protection. much cooler than my BB2000 from Plus-pos.

balls and strikes baby!!