Back up CP for hot days

[midtnump]

I currently ump LL baseball and softball, mostly boys 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, girls 10U, 12U, and 15U. My current and only CP is a Wilson Charcoal with matching 15 1/2" leg guards.

I have worked several games earlier this year in the 40's and I sweated some, several in the 50's, and the other night I did the second game of a 15U DH, an 8pm start, and it was about 60-62 and a slight breeze, and I my t-shirt was completely soaked and my legs were soaking wet with sweat. Had to towel down and change shirts before I went home, and we haven't started the 80-90's with 80%+ humidity yet.

My question is this, with working some of these younger kids games could I be somewhat cooler with say a Champro Pro, Pro nine type CP without really sacrificing protection? I know my Wilson is really good, but is something lighter and thinner ok on the youngest levels and pull the Charcoal out for the older kids games. Interested to hear from those that started out with some of these other protectors. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

[DP26]

I'd rather be hot than sore...  The younger the kids, the more chance of taking one a quality catcher will handle for you.

 

So for me, I use what I feel protects me the best, and always use it.  Reduces the 'splainin to the spouse and employer (such as how the first pitch broke my hand and finger last Tuesday).

[JaxRolo]

Unequal for coolness.

[KLAH316]

I currently ump LL baseball and softball, mostly boys 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, girls 10U, 12U, and 15U. My current and only CP is a Wilson Charcoal with matching 15 1/2" leg guards.

I have worked several games earlier this year in the 40's and I sweated some, several in the 50's, and the other night I did the second game of a 15U DH, an 8pm start, and it was about 60-62 and a slight breeze, and I my t-shirt was completely soaked and my legs were soaking wet with sweat. Had to towel down and change shirts before I went home, and we haven't started the 80-90's with 80%+ humidity yet.

My question is this, with working some of these younger kids games could I be somewhat cooler with say a Champro Pro, Pro nine type CP without really sacrificing protection? I know my Wilson is really good, but is something lighter and thinner ok on the youngest levels and pull the Charcoal out for the older kids games. Interested to hear from those that started out with some of these other protectors. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Use the best gear you have, your body deserves it...... Like what was said in post #2, you will get hurt more in the lower level games.

[midtnump]

I'd rather be hot than sore...  The younger the kids, the more chance of taking one a quality catcher will handle for you.

 

So for me, I use what I feel protects me the best, and always use it.  Reduces the 'splainin to the spouse and employer (such as how the first pitch broke my hand and finger last Tuesday).

Sorry for your injury man. I hope your not in the plaster cast, been there its not fun.

[Hawkman]

I have a WV Gold and an old Honigs K-1 Pro Elite; on really hot days I'll usually wear the Honigs. I've always found it to be a great protector, never been hurt by a shot working varsity ball with it and it is lighter and cooler than the WV protectors ( I used to wear a Platinum too). Unfortunately, I ordered a new K-1 earlier this year and it's not the same protector anymore. They bulked it up a bit, particularly the shoulder caps,  and the neck opening was so small I couldn't wear it so I had to send it back. Disappointing because I really like my old one but it's getting pretty worn out. I've never worn a Champro so I can't comment on it.

[DP26]

No plaster.  Would not allow it.  Can bend finger, but side to side is not fun.

 

The only concession was signalling b/s with only left hand - balls are palm out, strikes are palm in and turned 45deg.

[Mike Prince]

Don't sacrifice protection for comfort.  Wear wicking t-shirts, change them between games, whatever you need to do.  Too many stories on here of shots to inferior equipment in lower-level ball that caused more than discomfort.

 

Get pro gear to protect yourself.  That Charcoal is a good CP, I'd recommend a Champion hard shell as a backup with the minimum acceptable protection.  I wear a Douglas in temps up to 100 with high humidity and for me I wouldn't think of wearing anything with less protection.

[boyinr]

I have found the All Star System 7 to be better than either of the Wilson's. I also have a Douglas and that isn't too bad either.

[AllanA]

Get a raft!  Very cool in the summer. Very protective!

 

Allan

[JaxRolo]

Rite temp pads if you cAn get them

[midtnump]

I have found the All Star System 7 to be better than either of the Wilson's. I also have a Douglas and that isn't too bad either.

I have been thinking about the System 7, is it any cooler than the Wilson's?

[Thunderheads]

 

I have found the All Star System 7 to be better than either of the Wilson's. I also have a Douglas and that isn't too bad either.

I have been thinking about the System 7, is it any cooler than the Wilson's?

 

Isn't that what boyinr just said?

[catsbackr]

Get a raft!  Very cool in the summer. Very protective!

 

Allan

Listen to Allan!

 

Seriously, no inside CP is going to be cool.  NONE! 

 

Just get it in your head that in the summer you're going to be hot.

[scrounge]

 

I have found the All Star System 7 to be better than either of the Wilson's. I also have a Douglas and that isn't too bad either.

I have been thinking about the System 7, is it any cooler than the Wilson's?

 

 

I think it is, by far.  With the pre-curved shoulders, I find I don't need to tighten the harness anywhere near as tight as I did with my previous Gold. So you get a looser fit, better ventilation, all without sacrificing any protection at all. To the contrary, it offers more than my Gold did, which left a bottom rib exposed (the reason it's a former CP). I've been thinking of getting some cheap generic Dri-Fit style shirts and cutting them a couple inches below the harness in a modified half-shirt for the really hot days too.

[BigUmpire]

I have a Schutt AiR Flex 2 Umpire Chest Protector.

It has some special bead liner that does keep me cooler that my WV Gold.

I would not wear it above 16u ball.

[midtnump]

 

 

I have found the All Star System 7 to be better than either of the Wilson's. I also have a Douglas and that isn't too bad either.

I have been thinking about the System 7, is it any cooler than the Wilson's?

 

 

I think it is, by far.  With the pre-curved shoulders, I find I don't need to tighten the harness anywhere near as tight as I did with my previous Gold. So you get a looser fit, better ventilation, all without sacrificing any protection at all. To the contrary, it offers more than my Gold did, which left a bottom rib exposed (the reason it's a former CP). I've been thinking of getting some cheap generic Dri-Fit style shirts and cutting them a couple inches below the harness in a modified half-shirt for the really hot days too.

 

Thanks for the info, you are correct that I do have to keep my Charcoal pulled extremely tight to keep it in place, which keeps me safe. If the system 7 stays in place but doesn't give that tight grip feel then I am interested.   

[Aging_Arbiter]

I have an old "cooler" CP called "The Ump".  This was from the same company that made UmpShins & UmpSkins. They are no longer made, but just to give you a general idea, the concept behind the manufacturing is that they are made from the same material that hockey padding was.  However, it's very liteweight and breathes well.  This was my main CP for several years and even saw some 18U travel ball.  So I KNOW it works.  A couple of years back, I purchased the new WV Platinum.  With the old CP, you could feel the ball impact, but no pain.  With the WV, you don't even feel the impact.  I have relegated to using the WV (what I call my bullet proof vest) for upper levels, and The Ump at lower levels and on hot days.

[eric0531]

Thanks for the info, you are correct that I do have to keep my Charcoal pulled extremely tight to keep it in place, which keeps me safe. If the system 7 stays in place but doesn't give that tight grip feel then I am interested.   

 

Between the curved shoulders and the Delta Flex harness, the All Star stays in place extremely well without needing to be super-tight. The first couple of games that I used mine I was needing to pull it down from time to time, but it quickly began to conform to my body and now I rarely feel like I need to adjust it.

[midtnump]

Hmmm, tempted to sell my cp and buy the AllStar.

[benrosen]

Just buy all of the CP's and compare them!

[BalkHawk]

Unequal for coolness.

 

[kylejt]

Let's see. Should I go with lesser protection because it's hotter?

 

No.

 

Next question.

[boyinr]

Just buy all of the CP's and compare them!

 

He did it the smart way.  He asked those us who already have tried it your way and have the Ebay seller rating to prove it.

• All Star CPU-25
• Honigs K1
• Wilson Platinum
• Douglas (twice)
• Wilson Gold
• All Star System 7

I have kept the S7 and a Douglas.   If anyone want to rent a closet let me know........

[DP26]

And remember, the ball will find something uncovered... so cover what you need!  And when you still get hit, you can work in a cast as long as you pad it.