New Wilson Guardian line of gear

[umpstu]

Different

JaxRolo always with the colorful description and helpful information.

don't want to overwhelm you with to much information!

Keep It Simple Stupid KISS

[JaxRolo]

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Very powerful statement!

[umpstu]

.

Seriously? How could you make a statement like that?

[Rulekeep]

.

Very powerful statement!Cuz YOU'VE got room to talk there... :shakehead:

[Jocko]

@Rulekeep@JaxRolo You're related?

[JimKirk]

@JimKirk - thoughts?

 

Thanks for the question. The Wilson Guardian line was developed to provide a value alternative for the majority of the umpire market, especially at youth levels. There you'll find umpires looking to spend less on umpire gear, but at the same time, at least for the chest protector, have an upgrade in protection over other soft-shell chest protectors with its hard shell in the chest area. This certainly makes this a unique chest protector as typically there are only soft shells or there are only hard shells.

 

So in a word, this chest protector is a "hybrid", if you will. It is lightweight like a soft shell, but it has a hard shell in the chest area providing coverage for the upper chest/heart.

 

I always err on the side of caution when making recommendations for what level of protection items will cover. As you know, not every pitcher throws the same speed at every level. My feeling is this chest protector was developed with youth league umpires strongly in mind, where sales of umpire chest protectors occur most. So in that sense, competitors for this product would include the Diamond iX3, Champro/Champion soft-shell, Pro Nine CPU and the like.

 

In other words, those who have worn or are considering items such as these could consider the Guardian CP when thinking of buying a new chest protector. But those of you who want only the highest level of protection with their Golds, Platinums, System 7s, etc., the Guardian was not developed specifically for that market or levels in mind (although I'm sure some will drop the less weight and bulk of a hard shell to wear the Guardian).

 

Someone else was correct price-wise. Pricing for this line will be lower than the West Vests but higher than the soft shells mentioned above. I wish I had more specifics on that.

 

I hope that answers your question and helps you determine how to see this chest protector in the market. I look forward to hearing what others think of it when it is available to the public in the next few weeks.

 

Don't hesitate if you have other questions.

[Jocko]

@JimKirk - thoughts?

 

Thanks for the question. The Wilson Guardian line was developed to provide a value alternative for the majority of the umpire market, especially at youth levels. There you'll find umpires looking to spend less on umpire gear, but at the same time, at least for the chest protector, have an upgrade in protection over other soft-shell chest protectors with its hard shell in the chest area. This certainly makes this a unique chest protector as typically there are only soft shells or there are only hard shells.

 

So in a word, this chest protector is a "hybrid", if you will. It is lightweight like a soft shell, but it has a hard shell in the chest area providing coverage for the upper chest/heart.

 

I always err on the side of caution when making recommendations for what level of protection items will cover. As you know, not every pitcher throws the same speed at every level. My feeling is this chest protector was developed with youth league umpires strongly in mind, where sales of umpire chest protectors occur most. So in that sense, competitors for this product would include the Diamond iX3, Champro/Champion soft-shell, Pro Nine CPU and the like.

 

In other words, those who have worn or are considering items such as these could consider the Guardian CP when thinking of buying a new chest protector. But those of you who want only the highest level of protection with their Golds, Platinums, System 7s, etc., the Guardian was not developed specifically for that market or levels in mind (although I'm sure some will drop the less weight and bulk of a hard shell to wear the Guardian).

 

Someone else was correct price-wise. Pricing for this line will be lower than the West Vests but higher than the soft shells mentioned above. I wish I had more specifics on that.

 

I hope that answers your question and helps you determine how to see this chest protector in the market. I look forward to hearing what others think of it when it is available to the public in the next few weeks.

 

Don't hesitate if you have other questions.some of the lower level travel ball I do in the summer might fit in this niche. If noone else has, I volunteer to be a crash test dummy for this new line of shins and cp :D

[Pete Peterson Sr]

.

Quite an insightful first post, lol. I, for one, totally agree with you.

[Pete Peterson Sr]

 

 

@JimKirk - thoughts?

 

Thanks for the question. The Wilson Guardian line was developed to provide a value alternative for the majority of the umpire market, especially at youth levels. There you'll find umpires looking to spend less on umpire gear, but at the same time, at least for the chest protector, have an upgrade in protection over other soft-shell chest protectors with its hard shell in the chest area. This certainly makes this a unique chest protector as typically there are only soft shells or there are only hard shells.

 

So in a word, this chest protector is a "hybrid", if you will. It is lightweight like a soft shell, but it has a hard shell in the chest area providing coverage for the upper chest/heart.

 

I always err on the side of caution when making recommendations for what level of protection items will cover. As you know, not every pitcher throws the same speed at every level. My feeling is this chest protector was developed with youth league umpires strongly in mind, where sales of umpire chest protectors occur most. So in that sense, competitors for this product would include the Diamond iX3, Champro/Champion soft-shell, Pro Nine CPU and the like.

 

In other words, those who have worn or are considering items such as these could consider the Guardian CP when thinking of buying a new chest protector. But those of you who want only the highest level of protection with their Golds, Platinums, System 7s, etc., the Guardian was not developed specifically for that market or levels in mind (although I'm sure some will drop the less weight and bulk of a hard shell to wear the Guardian).

 

Someone else was correct price-wise. Pricing for this line will be lower than the West Vests but higher than the soft shells mentioned above. I wish I had more specifics on that.

 

I hope that answers your question and helps you determine how to see this chest protector in the market. I look forward to hearing what others think of it when it is available to the public in the next few weeks.

 

Don't hesitate if you have other questions. some of the lower level travel ball I do in the summer might fit in this niche. If noone else has, I volunteer to be a crash test dummy for this new line of shins and cp

 

The dummy part could have been left unsaid, lol. It's implied.

[kylejt]

Or, for less money you can buy a Champion hardshell.

 

I'm guessing Wilson had a glut of catcher's gear, and slapped a plastic plate some to see if it would fly any farther then the failed Davishield.

 

Again, I'm just guessing because I see zero market for this thing. And having my heart nearly stopped wearing a soft protector in a 9-10 year old game, I'm not letting anyone I know try one in a baseball game. Why take that chance?

[BaltimoreUmpire]

Or, for less money you can buy a Champion hardshell.

I'm guessing Wilson had a glut of catcher's gear, and slapped a plastic plate some to see if it would fly any farther then the failed Davishield.

Again, I'm just guessing because I see zero market for this thing. And having my heart nearly stopped wearing a soft protector in a 9-10 year old game, I'm not letting anyone I know try one in a baseball game. Why take that chance?

I love the champion, its the exception of the "you get what you pay for" rule, only reason mines a backup is because the +POS CP has won me over, i will never use a softshell id sooner go behind the mound then take that risk

[catsbackr]

751253ddc5e9b55efaca1e3dee3c8d33

[Pete Peterson Sr]

20+ years, and I have never had my shin guards get hooked together and cause me to fall. Probably because they are always under my pants. The times I have fallen were mostly my fault, lol.

[BaltimoreUmpire]

I was told buckle inside by the local sporting goods store owner,

[gnhbua93]

I was told buckle inside by the local sporting goods store owner,

Who happens to be an umpire or baseball player?

[BaltimoreUmpire]

He outfits most umpires in this region, he said everyone does it that way, none of my tournament partners corrected me buckling that way, plus all the catchers here do it that way, 

[afaber12]

I got a pair of catcher's shin guards with extra protection on the outside of the legs so they were actually a left and right set rather than just two identical guards with the straps threaded in opposite directions. Had a special built-in strap for the lower part with the extra padding, which you were forced to buckle on the inside, while the other straps also buckled inside. After one game of having to re-buckle the straps more times than I'd ever done in my life before, I switched the upper straps around.

 

You might be fine and never have a problem buckling inside - especially wearing pants rather than shorts . Though I've not heard too many people talk about which way is right or preferred or whatever, I've never heard of someone saying that buckles to the inside is the way to go.

[JaxRolo]

I was told buckle inside by the local sporting goods store owner,

:no:

[JaxRolo]

He outfits most umpires in this region, he said everyone does it that way, none of my tournament partners corrected me buckling that way, plus all the catchers here do it that way,

You from Baltimore, USA or a third world country???? :wave:

[BaltimoreUmpire]

He outfits most umpires in this region, he said everyone does it that way, none of my tournament partners corrected me buckling that way, plus all the catchers here do it that way,

You from Baltimore, USA or a third world country???? I am from a small town in York County PA

[gnhbua93]

York Revolution Country

[kylejt]

My Bauers are marked L and R. No buckles, but the loop part is on the inside, like traditional catchers guards are.

 

Wide Velcro straps are awesome, if you haven't tried them, by the way.

[BaltimoreUmpire]

York Revolution Country

yes home to the York Revolution Atlantic League Baseball Club

[gnhbua93]

How often you go and watch their games?

[BaltimoreUmpire]

Less now, used to go alot because my Dad's work had a box there, i go a few times a year, I did shadow their GM for a day, why?