all-star Official AllStar Cobalt Product Launch

[Thunderheads]

7 minutes ago, JimKirk said:

4) What Matt said. You can wear a black hockey style helmet with your navy shirt, too, correct? Tell your assigner it's a two-piece protective piece all-in-one...just like the hockey style helmet.

 

Thanks for chiming in Jim!  

Trust me when I say, I understand where you're coming from, both of you.  But ....  I don't care about my assignor when it comes to this.  If I wanted to wear a black cap (or a skully) under my mask, I'd just do it..... but I can't!  It doesn't look right.   And, for further clarification ...if I did wear an HSM, I'd be wearing my navy assigned MHSAA underneath.   I'm very grateful to  Ump-Attire, All-Star sports, and everyone who had a hand in putting this on yesterday, it was awesome!  But for me,  not having a navy option on this skull cap is a miss. (IMHO) I still love you all, but ...  

[Matt Arcovio]

17 minutes ago, AtlUmp said:

One quick question that either hasn't been asked or I can't find the answer. What's the sizing of the protector with/without the extension? Being a taller umpire with height in the torso anything under 14" doesn't cover my last rib.

@AtlUmp I’m not 100% sure  

@JimKirk maybe you can grab some photos with a tape measure?

[JimKirk]

21 minutes ago, AtlUmp said:

One quick question that either hasn't been asked or I can't find the answer. What's the sizing of the protector with/without the extension? Being a taller umpire with height in the torso anything under 14" doesn't cover my last rib.

12.5" + 3.5" extension

[JimKirk]

12 minutes ago, Thunderheads said:

Thanks for chiming in Jim!  

Trust me when I say, I understand where you're coming from, both of you.  But ....  I don't care about my assignor when it comes to this.  If I wanted to wear a black cap (or a skully) under my mask, I'd just do it..... but I can't!  It doesn't look right.   And, for further clarification ...if I did wear an HSM, I'd be wearing my navy assigned MHSAA underneath.   I'm very grateful to  Ump-Attire, All-Star sports, and everyone who had a hand in putting this on yesterday, it was awesome!  But for me,  not having a navy option on this skull cap is a miss. (IMHO) I still love you all, but ...  

Got it. These are selling well. Maybe if we can report enough numbers, we'll go to All-Star and ask on your behalf to make a small batch. Stay with me. :))

[AtlUmp]

So 16" total with extension. The great service y'all provide are why I keep shopping with you guys

[BT_Blue]

30 minutes ago, AtlUmp said:

One quick question that either hasn't been asked or I can't find the answer. What's the sizing of the protector with/without the extension? Being a taller umpire with height in the torso anything under 14" doesn't cover my last rib.

Jim beat me to it. Though I didn't have actual measurements. I fit perfectly with a 14 or 14.5" cp. You would want to use the extention.

I can also tell you that unlike other chest protectors, the Cobalt's fits seamlessly with the main piece. You can't even tell it is an extra part.

[kylehutson]

Just watched the replay of the livestream. Dangit. Now there might be something better than my F3 CP. I don't plan on upgrading *quite* yet, but this might get me there.

On the shin guards - from what I could see, it doesn't look like the ankle protection is as good as the F3 - anybody that has seen these care to comment on that?

On the skull cap ... meh. I'm sure it works well, it still looks too big, though, IMHO. It comes down to "looking like an umpire". Maybe if these catch on at the higher levels, it won't matter so much.

[Thunderheads]

18 minutes ago, JimKirk said:

Got it. These are selling well. Maybe if we can report enough numbers, we'll go to All-Star and ask on your behalf to make a small batch. Stay with me. :))

Thanks Jim, as always!

Let me think .....off the top of my head, navy states are:  Michigan, Ohio, Mississipi, Missouri, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Tennessee,  Alabama , just to name a few.  That's a lot of guys I'd think  

[JimKirk]

1 hour ago, AtlUmp said:

So 16" total with extension. The great service y'all provide are why I keep shopping with you guys

Yes sir. Happy to do it. Thank you. We love what we do!

[JimKirk]

1 hour ago, BT_Blue said:

Jim beat me to it. Though I didn't have actual measurements. I fit perfectly with a 14 or 14.5" cp. You would want to use the extention.

I can also tell you that unlike other chest protectors, the Cobalt's fits seamlessly with the main piece. You can't even tell it is an extra part.

That's impossible to beat you to anything.

What we truly can not believe is that you were a test dummy pilot for the COBALT CP and kept this a secret for as long as you did! 

[MadMax]

9 hours ago, umpstu said:

Was too long of a presentation.

I beg to differ, Stu. Far too many of our brethren buy into obsolete archaic, inferior Wilson gear simply because it has the MLB logo on it and/or A Certain Health & Safety Umpire from MLBU says, "This is what ya need". An in-depth presentation of this manner accomplishes two things: 

1. It informs you (us) of the attention to detail and devotion to technological advances a company like All-Star invests into these products. Knowledge is power.
2. It exposes and validates where the money in the price tag goes. This is what absolutely boggles my mind regarding Wilson and other companies – where does the money go??! Has the approximately $200 (remember, the Gold used to be north of $200!) spent on a Wilson WV Gold CP actually gone into improving and progressing it? Obviously not.

All-Star has demonstrated, yet again, that they are devoted to the proactive development and progression of their products, first with catchers, now – unheralded – with umpires.

4 hours ago, BT_Blue said:

Not 100% which one of us it was. But someone in the comments posted "know who would love this? @MadMax!" And I totally agree!

I'm flattered, but it was not me. I was in the middle of a game last night.

4 hours ago, aaluck said:

I'm pleased to see a company really taking an interest in umpire gear for a change.

Shouldn't be this way. There's supposed to be a company that is our "Exclusive" supplier.

6 hours ago, Thunderheads said:

3) On the Skull cap:  Can you use a standard umpire harness with the MAG mask and have the mask stay secure, and.... can you take off the mask without taking the helmet off with it?  I've seen quite a few MLB umps wearing a skull cap, and when they take their masks off, the helmet comes with it like it's all one piece (personally don't like that).  So ...will the helmet stay on when you take off the mask?

You have to remember: MLB Umpires are compelled to wear their mask harnesses (far too) tight, so the mask doesn't come off and hit the ground on an impact. Us amateurs know this to be counterfactual, since if one of our masks spins and/or falls off when impacted, most of the energy is in that mask. The MLB guys are under a different set of scrutinies.

It's also a welcome reprieve to take one's helmet off ever so often. Catchers are only wearing those for 150-200 pitches... we have to wear ours for twice that! To that point, I think the Cobalt Skuly can afford to be even more ventilated!

3 hours ago, Matt Arcovio said:

4) Tell the people in charge that you're wearing a skully for safety. If your allowed to wear a black HSM, this should be the same. There’s an officials shortage, you’re probably not going to loose games over it.

Very very true. Matt, Jeff knows this already and is mentioning this more in passing than in seriousness. The impetus isn't on you, the manufacturers, to accommodate what is a petty and arcane "rule". It's high time we – collectively, umpires and manufacturers – get beyond this adherence to navy as the de-facto, "enforced" color for certain associations. In short, the Fed's gotta wake up and get with the times. Maybe if you manufacturers (and I'm not looking at All-Star, but more at companies like Cliff Keen) stop making uniform and gear in navy, the supply of it would dry up.

2 hours ago, JimKirk said:

We want to lessen the reasons for you not to buy and use this.

Please advertise-and-offer, or advise to umpires that there are ways & products to put patches, logos, or lettering upon this Skuly. There are assigners and association leads who are (still) very particular about using and wearing a properly-marked hat. To them, even a plain hat won't do, since you should and shall be wearing their association's hat. These are the same sort who are this petty over the MLB logo appearing on the back of the Majestic shirt.

I've got some ideas if you want to talk on the side.

3 hours ago, Ump0000 said:

I love that chest protector just by looking at it

I actually tried it on. My remark to the others around me? "Game, set, match." I'm an avowed Schutt fanatic, and I feel that this beats it, and in my own evaluation, it beats it on the specific points I value. I've said it many times before – I'd take my Schutt/Adams XV into MLB pitching & hitting, with utter confidence. In fact, I have on several occasions. The only reasons I would switch off of it to another CP are largely vain and cosmetic, and are not grounded in protective performance. After holding the Cobalt CP in my hands, and trying it on on the street, I will get this CP sometime simply because I know it will surpass my vaunted Schutt/Adams XV.

3 hours ago, ArchAngel72 said:

looks really really good

It's amazing what it represents... @JimKirk knows this, and all manufacturers, and wholesalers and retailers will benefit from this – it is, through its adjustable design, One-Size-Fits-Just-About-Everybody. All-Star doesn't have to make 2-4 different sizes. Jim and other resellers don't have to stock 2-4 different sizes, only to see limited traffic in the two extremes (Small and Huge). And, as an added benefit to us (umpires), if/when we were ever to loan it or sell it to a colleague, we don't have to worry about whether or not it will fit them – even with the most amount of adjustment to it, it will!

[tpatience]

18 minutes ago, JimKirk said:

That's impossible to beat you to anything.

What we truly can not believe is that you were a test dummy pilot for the COBALT CP and kept this a secret for as long as you did! 

I was surprised too, lol

[MadMax]

1 hour ago, Thunderheads said:

off the top of my head, navy states are:  Michigan, Ohio, Mississipi, Missouri, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Tennessee,  Alabama

You're forgetting the center of the hive – Indiana. It's where the NFHS HQ is.

Listen, all it takes to start the dominos falling is for the NFHS to strike the line from the NFHS Rulebook that states (I'm paraphrasing, @Jimurray ! ) "Barring state association determination, the umpire shirt shall be navy." Remove that line from the Rulebook, and you take the wind out of the "navy's" sails... so to speak.

[Thunderheads]

Very very true. Matt, Jeff knows this already and is mentioning this more in passing than in seriousness. The impetus isn't on you, the manufacturers, to accommodate what is a petty and arcane "rule". It's high time we – collectively, umpires and manufacturers – get beyond this adherence to navy as the de-facto, "enforced" color for certain associations. In short, the Fed's gotta wake up and get with the times. Maybe if you manufacturers (and I'm not looking at All-Star, but more at companies like Cliff Keen) stop making uniform and gear in navy, the supply of it would dry up.

Sorry Max.... it wasn't just in passing. Many states require Navy. And,....its been discussed ad nauseam and nothing has changed. If it was one or 2 states lagging , then fine......but there are many.

You think mfg's are just going to stop so people can't wear navy? It's got to come from the states, they have to change. Until then....navy stuff will be out there.

Look at pullovers, ball bags, plate coats, wind breakers..... all offer a navy option .....

Oh well.....

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[AtlUmp]

Yeah, down here in GA we're still in the Navy and powder blue times for HS

[Aging_Arbiter]

19 hours ago, kylejt said:

Way better than my work Zoom meetings. Ordered my 1 of 72 C/P during the call. (Thanks again, Jim!)

Kyle was all over this as soon as Dr Stan finished the segment on the CP.

 

14 hours ago, BT_Blue said:

I NEED more of this!

At 1 hour in, Stan had shown us the MAG mask and the Cobalt helmet... and none of us cared! We were all having far to much fun watching Stan talk about everything they do AND he brought us around the lab!!!

Arik was the target of most ridicule!

 

It was fun.

[Jimurray]

19 minutes ago, MadMax said:

You're forgetting the center of the hive – Indiana. It's where the NFHS HQ is.

Listen, all it takes to start the dominos falling is for the NFHS to strike the line from the NFHS Rulebook that states (I'm paraphrasing, @Jimurray ! ) "Barring state association determination, the umpire shirt shall be navy." Remove that line from the Rulebook, and you take the wind out of the "navy's" sails... so to speak.

Just to be clear:

“ART. 9 . . . Umpires shall wear gray slacks, and navy pullover shirt or state association-adopted shirt.”

Excerpt From 10-1-9
2020 NFHS Baseball Rules Book
NFHS
https://books.apple.com/us/book/2020-nfhs-baseball-rules-book/id1485298477
This material may be protected by copyright.

“10-1-9 – Umpires shall wear the navy blue pullover shirt or state association-adopted shirt.”

Excerpt From Rules by State Association Adoption
2020 NFHS Baseball Rules Book
NFHS
https://books.apple.com/us/book/2020-nfhs-baseball-rules-book/id1485298477
This material may be protected by copyright.

 

[Matt Arcovio]

45 minutes ago, JimKirk said:

That's impossible to beat you to anything.

What we truly can not believe is that you were a test dummy pilot for the COBALT CP and kept this a secret for as long as you did! 

I threatened him mightily. I can now safely return his first born. 

[JimKirk]

20 hours ago, kylejt said:

Way better than my work Zoom meetings. Ordered my 1 of 72 C/P during the call. (Thanks again, Jim!)

I confirm. You were the 1st to pre-order & will be the 1st to get. I believe just as the talk about the CPU5000 ended, you placed the order. No hesitation! Excellent timing!!

[wolfe_man]

3 hours ago, JimKirk said:

4) What Matt said. You can wear a black hockey style helmet with your navy shirt, too, correct? Tell your assigner it's a two-piece protective piece all-in-one...just like the hockey style helmet.

No offense, but Stan said they listen to feedback.

Well here’s my feedback... we want a visor (I understand if not financially feasible) and we need (not want) a skull hat in navy. The softball guys need navy as well as the HS baseball umpires in most eastern states. It’s worth the production cost to make two colors I believe.
 

While I love the openness and opportunity to speak directly to the influencers, sImply saying that we wear a black HSM (maybe, there are navy HSMs available from All Star) so we’ll just have to get along with a bad-looking black skull cap with a navy shirt is in bad form in my humble opinion. We umpires pride ourselves on looking sharp, so wearing mismatched colors is not in our nature and I’m disappointed it’s even being suggested.

I do sincerely thank you Jim for being so available to us. I deeply respect you and your company. I hope you can share this feedback with AS. I’m willing to listen to reason, but I don’t feel this is reasonable.

 Thank you

[BT_Blue]

54 minutes ago, Matt Arcovio said:

I threatened him mightily. I can now safely return his first born. 

I did a pretty good job if I say so myself. Much easier with not actually having games to work.

[JimKirk]

1 hour ago, wolfe_man said:

No offense, but Stan said they listen to feedback.

Well here’s my feedback... we want a visor (I understand if not financially feasible) and we need (not want) a skull hat in navy. The softball guys need navy as well as the HS baseball umpires in most eastern states. It’s worth the production cost to make two colors I believe.
 

While I love the openness and opportunity to speak directly to the influencers, sImply saying that we wear a black HSM (maybe, there are navy HSMs available from All Star) so we’ll just have to get along with a bad-looking black skull cap with a navy shirt is in bad form in my humble opinion. We umpires pride ourselves on looking sharp, so wearing mismatched colors is not in our nature and I’m disappointed it’s even being suggested.

I do sincerely thank you Jim for being so available to us. I deeply respect you and your company. I hope you can share this feedback with AS. I’m willing to listen to reason, but I don’t feel this is reasonable.

 Thank you

Thank you! Loud and clear. I just screenshoted your and @Thunderheads comments. I will share them with Stan next week. 

[Biscuit]

7 hours ago, Thunderheads said:

Thanks Jim, as always!

Let me think .....off the top of my head, navy states are:  Michigan, Ohio, Mississipi, Missouri, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Tennessee,  Alabama , just to name a few.  That's a lot of guys I'd think  

Missouri allows black, but I think Navy is still the play off color.

[Rock Bottom]

9 hours ago, ArchAngel72 said:

  anyone want to buy a used 4 times S7 CP?

 

sigh.. maybe later this winter or I will ask Santa for one..

looks really really good

I'm in the same boat - except mine has been used about maybe 10 times.  That being said, I love the CPU4000 (S7) - while the Cobalt CPU5000 looks great, I'm very happy with the 4000, and the video didn't seem to show a clear cut win over the 4000.  For those who have now had both and can compare, maybe you can comment.  The Cobalt definitely looks roomier in the neck, is more streamline, and the padding looks like it might be a little better (although I love the 4000 padding), but the plating on the 4000 looks more protective to me (again, I have to stress, I'm just guessing based on the video).  

[kylejt]

For all you clambering for a navy helmet: Do you also need to wear a navy mask and pads? If not, why not? And a helmet is not a hat, so..........

Look, if they start making more colors it will only drive the price point of all the colors. Jim would have to double his stock and raise the prices. We, as a group, need to push back on the geezers who run some of these organizations. I'm all for being uniform in what we wear, but we have to some leeway, especially in our protection. No one, NO ONE should be requiring a navy helmet behind the plate. 

Now would someone please help me down from this soapbox? 

 

As far as the first Cobolt C/P, I have my own lab for testing. It's a baseball Gorilla Glued to a Callaway driver shaft, swung at me by my 6'4" son. That way I can "control" the shots to some extent, and do some comparisons with the System 7. Film at 11.