differences in the new Wilson vests?

[DerekGDS]

1 hour ago, MadMax said:

Perhaps the biggest was linking it to the Wilson lineup.

A decade ago, and as recently as 3-4 years past, our manufacturing capabilities were quite restricted. This limitation meant that all of our offerings, were marketed under the Wilson or Diamond labels. Our manufacturing capabilities, however, has seen substantial growth in the past few years and our protective equipment will now be manufactured by us. Despite this progress, we do have certain restrictions that set us apart from larger manufacturers like Force3, All-Star, Wilson, etc. We operate on a much smaller scale and don't play in the sporting goods category and upfront costs play a large role in our decision making. For instance, rather than using injection molding for ABS parts or plates, we opt for die cutting. This method may not produce the most aesthetically pleasing or sleek results, but it enables us to offer more affordable products in smaller quantities. Getting out of the traditional box and exploring what can/cannot be done with 3D printing as well.

The products we are currently developing may not be groundbreaking or particularly eye-catching to everyone, but I am confident in their functionality and pricing. Our focus has been on designing materials and products that are a) lightweight and b) have a low profile. While they may not be flawless (they aren't, but nothing is), this is precisely the reason we are initiating the Field Testing Program. This program will allow us to gather valuable feedback, making it possible to continually refine and enhance. Our goal is to make seasonal changes, as necessary. The one great thing about being small means we should be able to move a little bit quicker.

I cannot spill the beans on everything, but I am confident that our material choices and effort on thermal aspects moving into 2025 will bring significant upgrades to the yet unreleased products as well.

2 hours ago, MadMax said:

The original DaviShield had some innovative, dynamic features: 

• Segmented, scale-like torso carapace plates; created a conforming fit for a variety of body frames.
• A (simple) laminate foam; closed-cell foam for energy absorption, open-cell “sizing” foam for body contact. 
• Technical wicking mesh on the body-contact side; much more comfortable and better performing than crude nylon. 
• Connecting (elastic) splines from shoulder arch to an ailette+pauldron combination that protected the outer shoulder different than every other CP at that time. 
• A tank top-like harness, far better than the disc-&-nylon Y-yokes the other Wilsons employed. 
• Plastic, indexed hooks; much, much more survivable than side-release buckles, non-corroding, and much less likely to tear or bruise one’s shirt on an impact… like T-hooks are notorious for. 

Many of these features remain in discussion, particularly the segmented plates, hooks, and harness. With a fresh perspective, this CP could evolve into a good product.

[Umpiresrock74]

7 hours ago, MadMax said:

I’m pulling up this old thread because it is the most recent, relevant thread to CP Pr0n, without being CP Pr0n. 

Do ya read Playboy for the articles? 😅 

Yes, there were significant shortcomings. Perhaps the biggest was linking it to the Wilson lineup. Sure, it secured legitimacy, increased retail sales channels, and likely was conjoined in production resources (materials, manufacturing, packaging, shipping, support, etc.). However, it also served as a millstone around the DaviShield’s neck. Development and progress was stunted, and the “protective expectations” – conveyed by the step-sibling WestVests (Gold & Platinum) and their (over)thick pads and MLB logos – often relegated the DaviShield as underwhelming, underperforming, and unable to operate on the same playing field – literally and figuratively. 

Don’t insult it. There is nothing, no characteristic, to a Wilson that makes it “the ideal CP”. All Wilson did “right” was to secure Joe West’s endorsement, secure MLB’s endorsement, and patent the Velcro anchor tabs, thereby throwing all their chief competitors (at the time) off the board, justifying the elite price tag, and cementing themselves as the rival-less (not “unrivaled”, there’s a difference) standard for all baseball CPs for 20 years! 

The DaviShield became the odd, risky sibling. The price point always had to be lower than the (inflated) WestVests, and there wasn’t any motivation or latitude to alter or improve it. 

The original DaviShield had some innovative, dynamic features: 

• Segmented, scale-like torso carapace plates; created a conforming fit for a variety of body frames.
• A (simple) laminate foam; closed-cell foam for energy absorption, open-cell “sizing” foam for body contact. 
• Technical wicking mesh on the body-contact side; much more comfortable and better performing than crude nylon. 
• Connecting (elastic) splines from shoulder arch to an ailette+pauldron combination that protected the outer shoulder different than every other CP at that time. 
• A tank top-like harness, far better than the disc-&-nylon Y-yokes the other Wilsons employed. 
• Plastic, indexed hooks; much, much more survivable than side-release buckles, non-corroding, and much less likely to tear or bruise one’s shirt on an impact… like T-hooks are notorious for. 

No, it wasn’t perfect, but it made for an exceptionally low-profile, athletic silhouette. I now believe, that had it been freed from the by-Wilson shackles, it may have been improved to a point where it could have waded into the same waters as the WestVests, Douglas, and Riddells… ie. Professional Baseball. As it is, the Force3 UnEqual could have been so much more ready-to-go had Force3 modeled it after the DaviShield. 

Oh, but we do! We still have colleagues go out there and use rafts / balloons! Why? 

• Heat / ventilation 
• Implicit (false) belief that pad thickness = protection 
• Proper fit cannot be achieved with existing units (esp. for women) 
• Protection to the lower abdomen, arms, hands, or specialized protection (such as, for the sternum specifically, or a pacemaker) 

Question mad max, I’m only 17, but what the heck are you talking about when you mean playboy? Is that liek a umpire magazine?

[BLWizzRanger]

Question mad max, I’m only 17, but what the heck are you talking about when you mean playboy? Is that liek a umpire magazine?

I am sure he meant Hustler. You've got to hustle to move up the ranks of the umpire world.

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[MadMax]

6 hours ago, BLWizzRanger said:

You've got to hustle to move up the ranks of the umpire world.

 

[The Man in Blue]

Don't ask him about that Juggs pitching machine . . . 

[BT_Blue]

Can we not even discuss the new MLB Playgirl initiatives? 😁

(Ok... I'll see myself out!)

[The Man in Blue]

OK, my former PR side of me had to double-check.  I could totally see a contracted PR group slipping up and using that name for a program intended to grow female participation.  Hell, my school considers Playboy a brand and allows kids to wear the clothing.  Both titles have lost their original context … except for old farts like us.

[BLWizzRanger]

OK, my former PR side of me had to double-check.  I could totally see a contracted PR group slipping up and using that name for a program intended to grow female participation.  Hell, my school considers Playboy a brand and allows kids to wear the clothing.  Both titles have lost their original context … except for old farts like us.

Oui, Oui. I agree.

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