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  • 2 months later...
Posted

So, here's some final photos of my Chest Protector project:

First, I umpire softball.  We don't really need the thick heavy duty protectors that baseball does, but I still wanted SOMETHING more than the flimsy Softball Only Chest protectors that most people use:

image.png

I took a stock CP from Adams Protector that I bought on Epic Sports clearance:

adams-umpire-chest-protector-883628_1024x1024@2x.webp

I removed the throat guard, changed out the shoulder caps to a style I liked, reshaped the chest section, added 2 layers of vinal mesh to reduce the lines from the plastic plates coming through the shirt, and added mounting points for Ray's CP harness.  I also added several ventilation holes to the plastic plates.  The CP is really thin - around 1/2" - 3/4".  I've taken a couple shots without issue.  Here's the final pics:

image.png.f6899371a77334f6f66c69fc7a7a0a8e.png

image.png.73dd9253f69a5bc18712f97fb51f5215.png

image.png.a7efce6f1ea3518854fcb3541ae64182.png

Please let me know your thoughts.  Interested to hear from @MadMax.

Al

 

 

 

 

  • Like 4
Posted
6 minutes ago, AL-Ump said:

added 2 layers of vinal mesh to reduce the lines from the plastic plates coming through the shirt

Interesting. Did that change the breathability?

Posted

The mesh did not.  The fibers are thick but well spaced out.  Kinda like a netting more than a fabric.  It was a pain in the ass to sew though.

  • Like 1
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  • 1 month later...
Posted
On 10/23/2024 at 12:24 PM, AL-Ump said:

I removed the throat guard, changed out the shoulder caps to a style I liked, reshaped the chest section, added 2 layers of vinal mesh to reduce the lines from the plastic plates coming through the shirt, and added mounting points for Ray's CP harness.  I also added several ventilation holes to the plastic plates.  The CP is really thin - around 1/2" - 3/4".  I've taken a couple shots without issue.  Here's the final pics:

image.png.f6899371a77334f6f66c69fc7a7a0a8e.png

image.png.73dd9253f69a5bc18712f97fb51f5215.png

image.png.a7efce6f1ea3518854fcb3541ae64182.png

Please let me know your thoughts.  Interested to hear from @MadMax.

Al

 

No hard plates?  Or are they encased?

Posted
On 12/20/2024 at 8:57 PM, The Man in Blue said:

 

No hard plates?  Or are they encased?

Hey MiB,

The hard plates are there, I just put a couple layers of mesh on top of them so that you can't see the plate marks on the outside of the shirt.  Makes it smoother.  Some guys are wearing an extra compression shirt to smooth down the appearance of the CP and to keep the CP in place better, but I have a good UmpLife harness from @Razzer and I find the extra shirt layer to be hot.

  • Like 1
Posted

I have to say, this is an interesting time for chest protectors.  Seems as if the corps are starting to innovate some; lots of DIYers building Frankenstein’s Creature Protectors …

I guess I want to take it back to the basic questions:

1) What are you protecting?

2) What are you protecting against?

3) What are you using to do it?

There are deeper questions that build off of those, but those are the basic building blocks a CP should be designed on.

Catchers’ CPs now have a safety standard built in (commotio cordis requirement) why don’t ours?  Maybe ours are robust enough to start, but if we are DIYing, how do we know that?  If a corp is designing, what testing are they doing?

Posted

I'll keep this short since it's a porn thread.

18 minutes ago, The Man in Blue said:

Catchers’ CPs now have a safety standard built in (commotio cordis requirement) why don’t ours?

Because the risk to a healthy adult is virtually negligible. I believe your chances of getting struck by lighting are even higher. With that being said - everything we've made in the past few years still has supplemental protection in the chest but testing for it is not something we'd do. 

  • Like 2
Posted

Pretty over the moon about the job @Umpiresrock74 did with my Riddell Power. Back in April I started out with the full XL set up. When I got it back I liked it, but I wanted the pad smaller because I’ve always worn a 13 inch CP. I got with Michael in September and after discussing it over with him,  we decided to go with making a shorter pad to the size that I’m use to wearing. I got it back from him a few weeks ago and this thing fits like a glove!!!! I’m blown away by the craftsmanship and the attention to detail that Ump Guard Retrofit puts into his work. I’m also super happy about having the original pad and now 2 different size retro fitted pads. I would HIGHLY recommend using Michael and his services for anyone that’s thinking about upgrading their CP or shin guards. 
 

April XL 

IMG_3672.jpeg
 

IMG_3671.jpeg
 

December M/L

IMG_6172.jpeg

IMG_6171.jpeg

  • Like 3
Posted
30 minutes ago, bluetick48 said:

Pretty over the moon about the job @Umpiresrock74 did with my Riddell Power. Back in April I started out with the full XL set up. When I got it back I liked it, but didn’t love it because I’ve always worn a 13 inch CP. I got with Michael in September and after discussing it over with him,  we decided to go with mailing a shorter pad to the size that I’m use to wearing. I got it back from him a few weeks ago and this thing fits like a glove!!!! I’m blown away by the craftsmanship and the attention to detail that Ump Guard Retrofit puts into his work. I’m also super happy about having the original pad and now 2 different size retro fitted pads. I would HIGHLY recommend using Michael and his services for anyone that’s thinking about upgrading their CP or shin guards. 
 

April XL 

IMG_3672.jpeg
 

IMG_3671.jpeg
 

December M/L

IMG_6172.jpeg

IMG_6171.jpeg

I think you need the Badstreet USA stickers back... doot doot doot...

  • Haha 1
Posted
1 hour ago, bluetick48 said:

Pretty over the moon about the job @Umpiresrock74 did with my Riddell Power. Back in April I started out with the full XL set up. When I got it back I liked it, but didn’t love it because I’ve always worn a 13 inch CP. I got with Michael in September and after discussing it over with him,  we decided to go with mailing a shorter pad to the size that I’m use to wearing. I got it back from him a few weeks ago and this thing fits like a glove!!!! I’m blown away by the craftsmanship and the attention to detail that Ump Guard Retrofit puts into his work. I’m also super happy about having the original pad and now 2 different size retro fitted pads. I would HIGHLY recommend using Michael and his services for anyone that’s thinking about upgrading their CP or shin guards. 
 

April XL 

IMG_3672.jpeg
 

IMG_3671.jpeg
 

December M/L

IMG_6172.jpeg

IMG_6171.jpeg

I’ll say this, in my opinion we have definitely come along way in material and the pad making process. 

  • Like 2
Posted
On 12/31/2024 at 6:05 AM, JSam21 said:

doot doot doot...

This made me ask myself, "Self!, is it time for some chicken salad?"

Posted
9 hours ago, Velho said:

This made me ask myself, "Self!, is it time for some chicken salad?"

Well… you know. You take the chicken and then, well you… you know

  • Like 1
  • Haha 1
  • 3 weeks later...
Posted

A few of you asked what would be my ideal CP. I replied that I was using it – the Schutt-Adams XV (MaXV). Despite the release of the All-Star Cobalt (and my trying it out), the presence of the (USA-made) Douglas on the market, the advanced materials of the Force3 UnEqual, the allure of the rare and exotic +POS Cobra, or a pursuit of a Riddell Power, I genuinely felt protected and satisfied with my venerable MaXV. For one, it was extremely lightweight. For two, it being an original first-batch Schutt XV (the Adams chest plate came from a donated repair unit) it used the magical D3O as its pad jacket, allowing it to be thinner, with no loss of energy absorption, lighter, and most importantly hydrophobic, meaning that it shed moisture near-instantly. 

Here’s what it looks like on: 

CPcompare_MaXV_ns.jpg.jpg.79ef009348759a2bceee8336492879fb.jpg   CPcompare_MaXV_sh.jpg.jpg.8adc5f6aa1c1517bdc1cabae2fc6acdb.jpg
The low-profile aspect was not without some work, but the resulting fit was exceptional. About 3 years ago, I dramatically improved the fit, but also the behavior of this CP by replacing the wretched, shirt-killing T-hooks with side-release buckles (SRBs), relocated in closer to the centerline alá the Cobalt. No more punching holes in my expensive shirts on chest impacts. The SRBs, however, were blocky and not immune from breaking. 

As such, I trialed a new product, the G-hook, and immediately became sold on all their fit and functional advantages. 
CPcompare_MaXV_gk.jpg.jpg.da6dc482ed4ab8bbd2eebeb46958d122.jpg

Unfortunately, Schutt (and by association Adams, its subsidiary) was forced out of baseball due to a bankruptcy filing and acquisition by a new parent company that streamlined it to focus solely on football. As a consequence, this tremendous CP and all its benefits were lost to the market. I seriously thought I would never use any other CP for the rest of my career. 

Until now. 

I present to you the GerryDavis (DavisSports) DX Enduro D3O™️ CP. 
image.jpeg.9c4948d08237c4449edc2b608a328e26.jpeg

Directionally-shaped HDPE carapace plates (like the Cobalt and +POS Cobra) and the latest, most advanced formula of D3O result in a CP that is able to deftly absorb high-energy blows, yet still be 5/8ths of an inch thick. That’s it! If it’s not the lowest-profile of the low-profile CPs of the market, and the Champion P2xx tries to dispute that, then I can assure you – the HDPE plates are much stronger than the brittle Champion, and the D3O is dense, pliant, and resilient enough to tank those impacts better than some non-descript closed cell foam. 

Can you see the difference? I can feel it immediately… 

CPcompare_DXEnd_ns.jpg.jpg.d6ebe771728fc4f451aec572b804ed33.jpg   CPcompare_DXEnd_sh.jpg.jpg.ce01cc18bfcb0a7f586098d330987d79.jpg
Just like its cousin, the DX Enduro has pec-pit (armpit) wings included (I remove mine), and has the ability to attach a hard-plate-infused abdominal extension (not included, but purchasable as an accessory, with cross-model compatibility with the DX family of CPs). And of course, like with any new and future GerryDavis CPs, it uses G-hooks. 
CPcompare_DXEnd_gk.jpg.jpg.935dd699284adbb4783d5ba491b870b5.jpg

Look how tremendously sleek and simple that is! 

… and, I can wear one size of shirt for plate or base work! 

  • Like 6
  • Thanks 3
Posted

One of my partners on my game on Saturday had a prototype of this CP and I must say it is very light and thin. The padding is super dense, but I guess it absorbs energy better than more traditional padding. The only downside is the price - $300.

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 2
Posted
5 hours ago, MadMax said:

A few of you asked what would be my ideal CP. I replied that I was using it – the Schutt-Adams XV (MaXV). Despite the release of the All-Star Cobalt (and my trying it out), the presence of the (USA-made) Douglas on the market, the advanced materials of the Force3 UnEqual, the allure of the rare and exotic +POS Cobra, or a pursuit of a Riddell Power, I genuinely felt protected and satisfied with my venerable MaXV. For one, it was extremely lightweight. For two, it being an original first-batch Schutt XV (the Adams chest plate came from a donated repair unit) it used the magical D3O as its pad jacket, allowing it to be thinner, with no loss of energy absorption, lighter, and most importantly hydrophobic, meaning that it shed moisture near-instantly. 

Here’s what it looks like on: 

CPcompare_MaXV_ns.jpg.jpg.79ef009348759a2bceee8336492879fb.jpg   CPcompare_MaXV_sh.jpg.jpg.8adc5f6aa1c1517bdc1cabae2fc6acdb.jpg
The low-profile aspect was not without some work, but the resulting fit was exceptional. About 3 years ago, I dramatically improved the fit, but also the behavior of this CP by replacing the wretched, shirt-killing T-hooks with side-release buckles (SRBs), relocated in closer to the centerline alá the Cobalt. No more punching holes in my expensive shirts on chest impacts. The SRBs, however, were blocky and not immune from breaking. 

As such, I trialed a new product, the G-hook, and immediately became sold on all their fit and functional advantages. 
CPcompare_MaXV_gk.jpg.jpg.da6dc482ed4ab8bbd2eebeb46958d122.jpg

Unfortunately, Schutt (and by association Adams, its subsidiary) was forced out of baseball due to a bankruptcy filing and acquisition by a new parent company that streamlined it to focus solely on football. As a consequence, this tremendous CP and all its benefits were lost to the market. I seriously thought I would never use any other CP for the rest of my career. 

Until now. 

I present to you the GerryDavis (DavisSports) DX Enduro D3O™️ CP. 
image.jpeg.9c4948d08237c4449edc2b608a328e26.jpeg

Directionally-shaped HDPE carapace plates (like the Cobalt and +POS Cobra) and the latest, most advanced formula of D3O result in a CP that is able to deftly absorb high-energy blows, yet still be 5/8ths of an inch thick. That’s it! If it’s not the lowest-profile of the low-profile CPs of the market, and the Champion P2xx tries to dispute that, then I can assure you – the HDPE plates are much stronger than the brittle Champion, and the D3O is dense, pliant, and resilient enough to tank those impacts better than some non-descript closed cell foam. 

Can you see the difference? I can feel it immediately… 

CPcompare_DXEnd_ns.jpg.jpg.d6ebe771728fc4f451aec572b804ed33.jpg   CPcompare_DXEnd_sh.jpg.jpg.ce01cc18bfcb0a7f586098d330987d79.jpg
Just like its cousin, the DX Enduro has pec-pit (armpit) wings included (I remove mine), and has the ability to attach a hard-plate-infused abdominal extension (not included, but purchasable as an accessory, with cross-model compatibility with the DX family of CPs). And of course, like with any new and future GerryDavis CPs, it uses G-hooks. 
CPcompare_DXEnd_gk.jpg.jpg.935dd699284adbb4783d5ba491b870b5.jpg

Look how tremendously sleek and simple that is! 

… and, I can wear one size of shirt for plate or base work! 

Oh sure, you take pictures in Palm Springs when we have sh^&&y weather. 

  • Haha 3
Posted
2 hours ago, grayhawk said:

The only downside is the price - $300.

There will be a more economical version being released that is $130 MSRP. Same design characteristics but different foam technologies and slightly thicker. 2-3mm more off the top of my head.

  • Like 2
Posted
3 hours ago, grayhawk said:

One of my partners on my game on Saturday had a prototype of this CP and I must say it is very light and thin. The padding is super dense, but I guess it absorbs energy better than more traditional padding. The only downside is the price - $300.

 

10 minutes ago, DerekGDS said:

There will be a more economical version being released that is $130 MSRP. Same design characteristics but different foam technologies and slightly thicker. 2-3mm more off the top of my head.

It is worth every penny of the $300 based on my very limited use so far(one scrimmage).  It has a very low profile, is very light, is very comfortable, and so far I took a shot at 70mph and didn't feel anything.  If it can hold up to 90mph or so then it will be my full time gamer from now on.  

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 2
Posted
1 hour ago, spiffdawg7 said:

 

It is worth every penny of the $300 based on my very limited use so far(one scrimmage).  It has a very low profile, is very light, is very comfortable, and so far I took a shot at 70mph and didn't feel anything.  If it can hold up to 90mph or so then it will be my full time gamer from now on.  

I am a bit biased and really like the GDS CP (DX Enduro).  I wore a version of this most of the last year for Varsity baseball without any complaints. Low profile and much less money for a great product. The addition of the D3O and G-hook only makes it that much better!

  • Like 3
Posted
11 hours ago, MadMax said:

A few of you asked what would be my ideal CP. I replied that I was using it – the Schutt-Adams XV (MaXV). Despite the release of the All-Star Cobalt (and my trying it out), the presence of the (USA-made) Douglas on the market, the advanced materials of the Force3 UnEqual, the allure of the rare and exotic +POS Cobra, or a pursuit of a Riddell Power, I genuinely felt protected and satisfied with my venerable MaXV. For one, it was extremely lightweight. For two, it being an original first-batch Schutt XV (the Adams chest plate came from a donated repair unit) it used the magical D3O as its pad jacket, allowing it to be thinner, with no loss of energy absorption, lighter, and most importantly hydrophobic, meaning that it shed moisture near-instantly. 

Here’s what it looks like on: 

CPcompare_MaXV_ns.jpg.jpg.79ef009348759a2bceee8336492879fb.jpg   CPcompare_MaXV_sh.jpg.jpg.8adc5f6aa1c1517bdc1cabae2fc6acdb.jpg
The low-profile aspect was not without some work, but the resulting fit was exceptional. About 3 years ago, I dramatically improved the fit, but also the behavior of this CP by replacing the wretched, shirt-killing T-hooks with side-release buckles (SRBs), relocated in closer to the centerline alá the Cobalt. No more punching holes in my expensive shirts on chest impacts. The SRBs, however, were blocky and not immune from breaking. 

As such, I trialed a new product, the G-hook, and immediately became sold on all their fit and functional advantages. 
CPcompare_MaXV_gk.jpg.jpg.da6dc482ed4ab8bbd2eebeb46958d122.jpg

Unfortunately, Schutt (and by association Adams, its subsidiary) was forced out of baseball due to a bankruptcy filing and acquisition by a new parent company that streamlined it to focus solely on football. As a consequence, this tremendous CP and all its benefits were lost to the market. I seriously thought I would never use any other CP for the rest of my career. 

Until now. 

I present to you the GerryDavis (DavisSports) DX Enduro D3O™️ CP. 
image.jpeg.9c4948d08237c4449edc2b608a328e26.jpeg

Directionally-shaped HDPE carapace plates (like the Cobalt and +POS Cobra) and the latest, most advanced formula of D3O result in a CP that is able to deftly absorb high-energy blows, yet still be 5/8ths of an inch thick. That’s it! If it’s not the lowest-profile of the low-profile CPs of the market, and the Champion P2xx tries to dispute that, then I can assure you – the HDPE plates are much stronger than the brittle Champion, and the D3O is dense, pliant, and resilient enough to tank those impacts better than some non-descript closed cell foam. 

Can you see the difference? I can feel it immediately… 

CPcompare_DXEnd_ns.jpg.jpg.d6ebe771728fc4f451aec572b804ed33.jpg   CPcompare_DXEnd_sh.jpg.jpg.ce01cc18bfcb0a7f586098d330987d79.jpg
Just like its cousin, the DX Enduro has pec-pit (armpit) wings included (I remove mine), and has the ability to attach a hard-plate-infused abdominal extension (not included, but purchasable as an accessory, with cross-model compatibility with the DX family of CPs). And of course, like with any new and future GerryDavis CPs, it uses G-hooks. 
CPcompare_DXEnd_gk.jpg.jpg.935dd699284adbb4783d5ba491b870b5.jpg

Look how tremendously sleek and simple that is! 

… and, I can wear one size of shirt for plate or base work! 

giphy.gif

  • Haha 1
Posted
12 hours ago, MadMax said:

A few of you asked what would be my ideal CP. I replied that I was using it – the Schutt-Adams XV (MaXV). Despite the release of the All-Star Cobalt (and my trying it out), the presence of the (USA-made) Douglas on the market, the advanced materials of the Force3 UnEqual, the allure of the rare and exotic +POS Cobra, or a pursuit of a Riddell Power, I genuinely felt protected and satisfied with my venerable MaXV. For one, it was extremely lightweight. For two, it being an original first-batch Schutt XV (the Adams chest plate came from a donated repair unit) it used the magical D3O as its pad jacket, allowing it to be thinner, with no loss of energy absorption, lighter, and most importantly hydrophobic, meaning that it shed moisture near-instantly. 

Here’s what it looks like on: 

CPcompare_MaXV_ns.jpg.jpg.79ef009348759a2bceee8336492879fb.jpg   CPcompare_MaXV_sh.jpg.jpg.8adc5f6aa1c1517bdc1cabae2fc6acdb.jpg
The low-profile aspect was not without some work, but the resulting fit was exceptional. About 3 years ago, I dramatically improved the fit, but also the behavior of this CP by replacing the wretched, shirt-killing T-hooks with side-release buckles (SRBs), relocated in closer to the centerline alá the Cobalt. No more punching holes in my expensive shirts on chest impacts. The SRBs, however, were blocky and not immune from breaking. 

As such, I trialed a new product, the G-hook, and immediately became sold on all their fit and functional advantages. 
CPcompare_MaXV_gk.jpg.jpg.da6dc482ed4ab8bbd2eebeb46958d122.jpg

Unfortunately, Schutt (and by association Adams, its subsidiary) was forced out of baseball due to a bankruptcy filing and acquisition by a new parent company that streamlined it to focus solely on football. As a consequence, this tremendous CP and all its benefits were lost to the market. I seriously thought I would never use any other CP for the rest of my career. 

Until now. 

I present to you the GerryDavis (DavisSports) DX Enduro D3O™️ CP. 
image.jpeg.9c4948d08237c4449edc2b608a328e26.jpeg

Directionally-shaped HDPE carapace plates (like the Cobalt and +POS Cobra) and the latest, most advanced formula of D3O result in a CP that is able to deftly absorb high-energy blows, yet still be 5/8ths of an inch thick. That’s it! If it’s not the lowest-profile of the low-profile CPs of the market, and the Champion P2xx tries to dispute that, then I can assure you – the HDPE plates are much stronger than the brittle Champion, and the D3O is dense, pliant, and resilient enough to tank those impacts better than some non-descript closed cell foam. 

Can you see the difference? I can feel it immediately… 

CPcompare_DXEnd_ns.jpg.jpg.d6ebe771728fc4f451aec572b804ed33.jpg   CPcompare_DXEnd_sh.jpg.jpg.ce01cc18bfcb0a7f586098d330987d79.jpg
Just like its cousin, the DX Enduro has pec-pit (armpit) wings included (I remove mine), and has the ability to attach a hard-plate-infused abdominal extension (not included, but purchasable as an accessory, with cross-model compatibility with the DX family of CPs). And of course, like with any new and future GerryDavis CPs, it uses G-hooks. 
CPcompare_DXEnd_gk.jpg.jpg.935dd699284adbb4783d5ba491b870b5.jpg

Look how tremendously sleek and simple that is! 

… and, I can wear one size of shirt for plate or base work! 

I got one of the prototypes as well. Love the low pro design, contoured quite well to my body. Took a direct foul ball in a D2 scrimmage about as square as it could get. Felt the impact, said ow instinctively but it didn’t actually hurt. Looking forward to breaking it out again 

  • Like 3
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