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A key gear discovery… My hat’s off to Kyle!

Kevin Finnerty

By Kevin Finnerty
in Umpire Equipment

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Kevin Finnerty
Kevin Finnerty

Yes... all the time! Regular season, you take what they give you. The regular season is actually a come-down from the rest of the year.   I get to assign for a half dozen high schools for their off-

Kevin Finnerty
Kevin Finnerty

Thank you, Chief! Happy New Year! (Can you tell that jumping back up here was one of my resolutions?)   We should talk. There's some compelling stuff to discuss.   ... Continued thanks for having

BT_Blue
BT_Blue

demand photos so we can copy the FinnShins (trademarked of course)

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sri8527

sri8527

Posted
Posted

sorry bam, I was just reading about kfinn modifying his and went from there. if YOU have an opinion I would love to hear it, like the CCM'S I do worry a little about ankle protection. the davis I wear now are ok, I did take a hard shot low on the guard and although it didn't stop me or anything, it hurt. I've been hit around the knee and they are fine, that lower shot bothered me though. like the davis  I can't wear the ankle protection without that flair, so, if I'm not going to have ankle protection either way, I don't want it to hurt if I get hit where I do have protection, am I making any sense at all?

alex7

alex7

Posted
Posted

Where's the love coming MY way??  I've been advocating these shins ever since I joined this site! 

 

The "bamshinns" just makes them sound like they hurt   :D     Finnshins for life!

  • Like 2
Rook23

Rook23

Posted
Posted

Ordered mine and should be here Wed in time for games on Sat!! The way I see it, I only really need padding on the inside ankle of each foot, I cant imagine getting hit on the outside ankle given my set-up.  I think I'm just going to cut off the ankle protector from my current shins and try to attach it to my my new Bauers.  I'll keep you all posted on how that goes. 

  • Like 1
BT_Blue

BT_Blue

Posted
Posted

Ordered mine and should be here Wed in time for games on Sat!! The way I see it, I only really need padding on the inside ankle of each foot, I cant imagine getting hit on the outside ankle given my set-up.  I think I'm just going to cut off the ankle protector from my current shins and try to attach it to my my new Bauers.  I'll keep you all posted on how that goes.

Post photos when you can. I cut off the plastic guards off my old WV Pro shins but have yet to figure out how to connect them to the Bauers.

Does anyone hace any suggestions. If KFinn was not AWOL I would love to hear his insght.

Rook23

Rook23

Posted
Posted

Mine just arrived and holy smokes are these guys light and as comfortable as shins could possibly be.  The surface coverage is exceptional - my Diamonds leave some exposed bones around the outer knee that have been found a time or two, which prompted me to make this purchase.  I feel very confident I don't have to worry about that with these.  The fit's perfect and I guess now we don't have to wonder where Davis got the idea for his shins. 

 

I don't have any windows without working the plate to go get the ankle attachment done until St. Paddy's Day, but I'll at least go ask around town and see what the word is on attaching ankle protection from another shin onto this one.

 

To be continued...  

  • 2 weeks later...
Rook23

Rook23

Posted
Posted

Alright so after so after 15 games ranging from 11U up to high school varsity, Im in love!  These suckers are light, comfortable, light, don't shift around, just as protective as anything else I've tried, and they're light. 

 

I took a straight shot of the knee Monday night in a varsity with a good velo arm on the mound and nothing.

 

The only cons - the ankles are exposed.  However It's forced me to keep my feet more square to the pitcher which is keeping my shoulders more square.  The velcro does catch your pants a little, but if you make sure the velcro is flush when you put them on it's not as bad.  The longevity of the velcro straps concerns me slightly but I think that's something I could easily have fixed for a small amount of money. 

 

I think these might be permanent for me.  Im sure the West Vest, Douglas, and other top brands are awesome but for the price, weight, and protection, I just don't think I'm going to find anything better out there.  

goindeep

goindeep

Posted
Posted

I have the west vest pro shins also and haven't worn them since I got these.....that's 21 games from ms, jv and varsity as of last night. They are incredible, cant wait for tournament ball to start.

T-Rav

T-Rav

Posted
Posted

I just received the 15" ones from icewarehouse yesterday, I have two plates tomorrow night that I will wear them at to test them out. I was going to order the 16" but they are out of stock until 3/17, so I may order them once they arrive since I'm 6'1 and feel like I need that extra inch of protection. I'm not thrilled about the straps, they seem way to long for me (I have skinny legs), so I will have to modify them so the velcro doesn't catch on my pants.

 

Has anyone come up with an ankle protection system for these besides Kevin's sock and unequal pad? If so please share.

BT_Blue

BT_Blue

Posted
Posted

Ive worn mine for three plate games including a 13 inning affair for game #1 of my season. So beyond light its amazing. Took a glancing blow (I think) last night in a college jv game. Dont even remember if I did or not, but I think I did.

As for ankle protection. Nothing yet. Contemplated trying to figure out a way to attach the ankle plates from an older pair of West Vest Pros, but cant figure out how. I just thought about seeing the possibilty of connecting the pectoral plate from my backup WV Gold possibly. Havent had a chance to see if that is possible or not yet. When I do, and if successful, I promise to post pics.

goindeep

goindeep

Posted
Posted

T-rav,

I also felt like the straps were a touch long....I have found that if you tie a knot or two in the top strap, it tightens it up just right. Also, cinch the other two down and sort of tuck the stiff piece on the end up under the shin guard plastic, it will then not snag on your pants.

  • 3 weeks later...
Kevin_K

Kevin_K

Posted
Posted

I bought these shin guards in January. I finally had the chance to use them in a game.

 

They are extraodinarily light! Other than having straps that are bit too long, I love them! I took a 58'fastball that skipped right into my left shin and felt no more than a thump.

 

Great find!

Trakes2

Trakes2

Posted
Posted

I'm on the band-wagon!

 

I ordered mine today and I'm hoping they arrive in time for a DH on Saturday!(although I doubt it...)

 

Looking forward to posting about how much I love them!!

T-Rav

T-Rav

Posted
Posted

My 16' came in a week ago, I let an umpire buddy try them on for the second game of a DH and he was in love with them. So I sold him the 15' at cost and he swears by them. 

 

In my varsity game today I did get hit with a hit by pitch off the batter that deflected into the velcro thigh pad at the top of the shin guards, it hurt for a batter and then I was fine which is pretty good considering in had to be at least 80+ MPH. I just checked and no bruise, so that little pad at the top actually does indeed help and contains some protective qualities. 

 

The lack of ankle protection is my only concern but the advantages of this product are well worth the disadvantages. 

dl1340

dl1340

Posted
Posted

Anyone figured out ankle protection for these. I am very interested in trying these out. I currently have all star lg2000 guards now but these are on my list. I have NB 450 plate shoes. The lack of ankle protection is only reason I haven't pulled trigger yet

JaxRolo

JaxRolo

Posted
Posted

Anyone figured out ankle protection for these. I am very interested in trying these out. I currently have all star lg2000 guards now but these are on my list. I have NB 450 plate shoes. The lack of ankle protection is only reason I haven't pulled trigger yet

How often do you get hit on the ankles?

  • 2 weeks later...
Trakes2

Trakes2

Posted
Posted

I am happy to say that my "Finn-Shins" have arrived, I am unhappy to say that I have yet to have a chance to wear them... BUT I will say that these SOB's are LIGHT and I know they are going to be amazing... SWMBO wanted us to do a little diet/cleanse... but when these came in the mail I told her not to worry these will make me so fast that people will swear I've lost weight!  :kissass:  :yippie:  :jerkit:

 

Ill let everyone know as soon as I get a chance to wear them...

dl1340

dl1340

Posted
Posted

Mine came in on Monday, hopefully get to try these out tomorrow night. I got rained out last night. These guards where super light when I tried them on at home.

  • 2 weeks later...
kylejt

kylejt

Posted
Posted

I'm glad so many have discovered their use. I just tried them as an experiment several years ago, when spying them in a Play it Again Sports store for 10 bucks. Every once and a while I'll go back to either my gray WV, or Davis, and now they just feel wrong.

 

Are they perfect? Far from it. But every piece of protective gear has their trade-offs. Comfort/protection/style/coolness all play a factor. This is just something I found works for me.

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