Buying Umpire Gear for Little League

[Nazrat]

In addition to umpiring high school ball, I am the president of the local little league.

Since we use volunteer umpires, our equipment is fairly rudimentary. We loan shin guards, face mask and the balloon/raft chest protector to each umpire for that day's game.

I would like to upgrade the chest protectors first as the rafts are a pain to work with for everyone. However, I am torn between my tastes for adequate protection and the prices that the league can afford.

What type of inexpensive CP would you recommend for 14 and under and 12 and under LL? We will probably have to buy 6 of them.

Thanks for the input.

[jjb]

I'd stay away from the Wilson Gold/Platinum: they're expensinve, and need a "break-in" period. It'd be tough to pass around. I'd look at the ChampPro on Ump-Attire (60 bucks). It's pushing the edge for the 14's, but you'd be pretty well protected for the lower ages. Good luck

[boyinr]

Champion makes a hard shell that is reasonably priced ($39.95 at the link below) and should provide decent protection at these levels. Others on this board can elaborate but, I think that some have used this model at higher levels. Please note that I have never personally used this model or the vendor mentioned.

http://www.anacondas...roductId=175577

[UMP45]

Nazrat I hate to say it but you may have to stay with the ballons because of people sweating on the inside protectors.

[kylejt]

Thumbs up on the Champions, as they're cheap hardshell protection that come in three sizes. Hard to go wrong.

[p1timeblue]

Maybe try the really inexpensive soft-ribbed CPs?

[amarillo]

I would go with the champion as well I use it myself at the high school level with no worries. As for sweating nothing a little lysol disinfectant won't fix

[JaxRolo]

How about a fund raiser buy a few CP's and that way you can rotate them and throughly clean them after each use. I would like the idea of wearing someone else's DNA .

[kylejt]

DO NOT EVER WEAR THOSE SOFT RIBBED PROTECTORS IN A BASEBALL GAME! THEY ARE NOT SAFE!

[midmoump]

Champion is definitely the way to go. It is important to note that the Champion hard shell CP that is being recommended is a discontinued model. The Champion P200 (17"), P210 (15") and P220 (13") have been redesigned for 2011. Many on-line retailers are advertising the Champion CPs using the old style pictures, so it is a good idea to call ahead and find out which CP you are buying.

What is the difference you ask?

Last year's Champion had detachable plates for easy cleaning a la the Wilson West Vest design. I have heard talk that the similarities between the Champion design and the patented Wilson CPs compelled a re-design by Champion. This year's Champion P200 series does not have detachable plates, and the rivets are punched completely through the hard shell plastic and protective padding.

The Champions can be found through on-line retailers in the $30-$40 range, including at betterbaseball.com

Pete

[bigblue89]

I dont think id want to use a CP at the end of the day that has been used all day by several other people when its 80+ out. If your going to loan them out id stay with the balloon ones, if umps dont like them tell them to buy one they would rather use. I know if it was me i would. Plus too your using volunteers (not that that is bad) but they are going to be used and abused. Save the eague some money and stick with the balloons.

[spiritump]

I would try to contact the local College and High School Associations in the area and ask if any member could donate some old equipment--most college guys I know up-grade there equipment every 4-5 years and have some older stuff around there house.