all-star Official AllStar Cobalt Product Launch

[Thunderheads]

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. 

Kyle.....
No one "requiring" us to wear a navy helmet. We want the navy option, so when the mask comes off, we look like our partners. I would think you of all people understand that at least (Mr. Plate coat )... anyhow....

I do, however understand where everyone else is coming from on this.

Please report back on your "test"!!

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[kylejt]

You won't match your partner unless he's wearing a navy helmet, too. To me, hats and helmet are two different things.

 

Plus, if I'm working the bases with Kerwin, I'd have to shave my head. 

[Thunderheads]

You won't match your partner unless he's wearing a navy helmet, too. To me, hats and helmet are two different things.
 
Plus, if I'm working the bases with Kerwin, I'd have to shave my head. 

Please Kyle..... really??

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[kylejt]

1 minute ago, Thunderheads said:

Please Kyle..... really??

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 = just kidding

 

[Thunderheads]

 = just kidding
 

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[Matt Arcovio]

Do those who really want a Navy skully, the SC500 is available. I’ve been using one (in black) for the last two years. Very good protection and quality without all the bells and whistles. The brim is about a 6 stitch length. The mask comes off just fine with good technique. 
 

https://www.all-starsports.com/sc500.html

[Thunderheads]

Do those who really want a Navy skully, the SC500 is available. I’ve been using one (in black) for the last two years. Very good protection and quality without all the bells and whistles. The brim is about a 6 stitch length. The mask comes off just fine with good technique. 
 
https://www.all-starsports.com/sc500.html

Tantrum on: But Matt,.... I want all the bells and whistles!!!! Tantrum off



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[BT_Blue]

9 minutes ago, Thunderheads said:

Tantrum on: But Matt,.... I want all the bells and whistles!!!! Tantrum off



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Come on Jeff. Its ONLY one less 0 (zero)

[Thunderheads]

Come on Jeff. Its ONLY one less 0 (zero)

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[BT_Blue]

3 minutes ago, BT_Blue said:

Come on Jeff. Its ONLY one less 0 (zero)

 

2 minutes ago, Thunderheads said:

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Sorry, my bad. It is only 600 numbers different.

[Matt Arcovio]

12 minutes ago, Thunderheads said:

Tantrum on: But Matt,.... I want all the bells and whistles!!!! Tantrum off



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[Thunderheads]

 

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[umpstu]

18 hours ago, MadMax said:

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.

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

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

Max, I guarantee the info was way to deep for the average Joe.  Hence why I said during the presentation that you would like it.  

[Thatsnotyou]

23 hours ago, kylehutson said:

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.

Lot of pro guys are wearing it this year. Do they look like umpires? I think Jim said it best - the more you see it, the less awkward it looks. 
 

In an extreme example, if everyone had it, it wouldn’t look out of place whatsoever. It’s kind of like when mlb base coaches started wearing helmets. At first you noticed it. Now it’s hard to remember what it was like when they didn’t. And everyone has one on. 
 

I get that it’s not for everyone, but I don’t think it’s an issue about not looking like an umpire if MLB guys are wearing it more and more. Catchers wear helmets. Batters wear helmets. Coaches wear helmets. Helmets are everywhere.

 

So, to me it’s a “do I want to look a bit different?” issue. 

[Rock Bottom]

For those who want protection but still want the traditional look, you can use the UnCap with all your regular caps (I didn't even need to change my hat size). I'm not sure how this compares to the Cobalt cap protection-wise, but I've used it for about 200 plates the last two years and love it. https://www.ump-attire.com/Baseball-Umpire-Equipment/Featured/New/UE-UNCAP_Unequal-Uncap-Protective-FlexShell

[Mr Ump]

New All Star CP ordered. Got one of the 72. Can’t wait to try it out....hurry up mid September...

[Mr Ump]

2 hours ago, Rock Bottom said:

For those who want protection but still want the traditional look, you can use the UnCap with all your regular caps (I didn't even need to change my hat size). I'm not sure how this compares to the Cobalt cap protection-wise, but I've used it for about 200 plates the last two years and love it. https://www.ump-attire.com/Baseball-Umpire-Equipment/Featured/New/UE-UNCAP_Unequal-Uncap-Protective-FlexShell

I used mine for the first time today. I did have to order up a hat size from 7 1/4 to 7 1/2 for my UnCap to fit. Once I did that it worked like a charm. I used my Wilson Aluminum mask black with Ray’s harness. Had to remember to put one hand on the harness and one on the mask for a smooth take off but no problem otherwise. Nice alternative if you like wearing a regular hat on the plate yet be protected.

[Rock Bottom]

1 minute ago, Mr Ump said:

Had to remember to put one hand on the harness and one on the mask for a smooth take off but no problem otherwise.

Not sure if it's because of the harness, but I use a traditional All-Star harness and can do it one-handed with the regular "up and out."

[Mr Ump]

1 minute ago, Rock Bottom said:

Not sure if it's because of the harness, but I use a traditional All-Star harness and can do it one-handed with the regular "up and out."

Maybe. I didn’t mind the two hand method. It was subtle. Love Ray’s harness and won’t go back to traditional.

[JimKirk]

12 hours ago, Matt Arcovio said:

Do those who really want a Navy skully, the SC500 is available. I’ve been using one (in black) for the last two years. Very good protection and quality without all the bells and whistles. The brim is about a 6 stitch length. The mask comes off just fine with good technique. 
 

https://www.all-starsports.com/sc500.html

You guys are starting to learn that I am like the over-protective father at times. I know Matt is trying to find a solution for you navy-ridden guys, but I would heavily caution you on wearing a longer bill hard shell cap.

We shared pics and wrote about this is at relates to buckets, but it applies to masks, too. (Article shows that different helmets have more or less space where cap bills are).

https://www.ump-attire.com/Umpire-Articles/Use-Caution-When-Wearing-a-Cap-Under-Your-Umpire-Helmet

Used to be that all traditional masks were that rounded frame, except for the new view low profile mask from Wilson. NOT ANYMORE.

READ CAREFULLY (BIG WARNING AHEAD): The All Star Mag masks and the Champro Rampage are more angled. Therefore, where your cap bill sits, there is less room there on these masks than on the rounded traditional ones. (read that again please.)

So, yes, you’re going to have watch your 6-stitch traditional cap with these, too. I always err on the side of caution, and I’m suggesting 4-stitch all the way when you wear the 2 style masks above if you wear a traditional cap - not a 6.

It’s why Stan and All-Star designed the SC900 for umpires to have a shorter bill. The new bill is right-sized. Anything else, including the SC500 and Rawlings Cool Flo is too long. Stay with me. Read further.

BIG WARNING #2

I hear guys all the time say “Heck I can get a 6 (sometimes I hear 8) stitch cap under my mask and can still take my mask off no problem”.

To those guys, and some might be you, so to you, I say:

”SO!...Is your bill touching your frame or close to touching? If it is, then whether you can or can’t take it off is not the issue. Even if close to touching, your pads will collapse inward when a force is applied to it.

Voila! You just built a direct bridge from your frame to your skull with your cap bill.” (Read again, too, please.)

In other words, what we don’t want to happen is to increase head protection in the industry, then hamper ourselves with old thinking.

I will stop writing. You stop reading.

Instead, take your favorite mask with your favorite cap for the plate. Take a pic or look in the mirror. Then apply force and see where yours lies. Definitely do if you are wearing a mag mask or rampage.

Go ahead. Do it now. I will wait.

I would guess at minimum 15% are using bills that are too long.

[Rock Bottom]

17 minutes ago, JimKirk said:

Definitely do it you are wearing a mag mask or rampage.

 

I'd add the FM4000 steel to that list as well. I wear a 4 stitch with it and even that doesn't leave much room for pad compression.

[kylejt]

I ran into that issue with an 8 stitch and the old +POS SUL. Those frames were pretty flat, and my bill actually stuck through the frame. I was too new to know any better, but that probably contributed to my first concussion. Now, I'm quite aware of it, and test all my hat/pads/frame combinations. 

 

[Rock Bottom]

Funny you brought this up @JimKirk, I was thinking about this earlier this week. Someone should make a hat with a crumple-zone brim!

[kylejt]

 

[Rock Bottom]

1 minute ago, kylejt said:

 

Wow! What a find! Like that, but we'd want it to crumple easily. (Side note, shots like that are why I think all pitchers should wear the UnCap. My sons are grown, but if they were playing they wouldn't pitch without them.)