Team Wendy Retrofit options

[BT_Blue]

On 3/5/2024 at 8:59 AM, bluetick48 said:

After several weeks of reading @Umpiresrock74 posts and looking at his photos, I reached out to him via text and communicated about possibly having my Power retrofitted. Being a little hesitant about shipping it off to a complete stranger, I picked up the phone (the old fashion way) and spoke with Michael for about 20 minutes about what I was wanting done. Immediately all my concerns were alleviated. He was completely understanding and also gave me a few references to confirm for myself. The references assured me that Michael will send daily updates on the process and they said they couldn’t be more satisfied with the outcome. As I type this I’m over the moon excited about getting this thing in the mail to him!!! Give this kid (my man Mike) a shot if you’re even on the fence about it!!!

Looking forward to your reviews. Nothing against Mike. But you have been here a bit. So your thoughts as as a 3rd party will definitely help.

[Umpiresrock74]

22 hours ago, BT_Blue said:

Looking forward to your reviews. Nothing against Mike. But you have been here a bit. So your thoughts as as a 3rd party will definitely help.

No offense taken, I have decided to not try to promote it, but take your guises advice and let other umpires speak for it. I had to humble myself and realize that i cant go try to make everyone believe I have the potential to have a really good product, if I cant get it in the hands of actual umpires. 

[Chartwig03]

On 2/20/2024 at 9:53 PM, Umpiresrock74 said:

Hello guys! So here is a Ridell is just did for someone on this forum. 

I’ve had my vest in hand for about a week or two now so I wanted to give a review to Mr. @Umpiresrock74. First off, this was my first time interacting with him and can tell he geeks out over everything umpiring. I saw that he was a special guest at one of my assigner’s camps. He texted me probably everyday he had my Power, if not almost everyday. He was very excited to work on it and I appreciated his enthusiasm. He sent me a bunch of progress pictures and I was able to talk with him about any tweeks I wanted or any improvements like the fidlocks, removing the excess wings, etc. 

The materials used were closed cell foam on the outer most layer, unequal Kevlar in the middle layer, and a thin layer of closed cell foam on the inner most part of the protector. It totals half an inch thick. 

To compare this, I have a number of chest protectors: Force 3, an original Douglas West Vest (1996), All Star Cobalt (Main vest for last year), and recently started using a Team Wendy West Vest. The feel and responsiveness of the materials reminds me very much of the team wendy. The appearance is also very similar. One of the most important things to me with this project is that the materials would contour to my body and form, Mike really did accomplish that. The profile when I tried it on, was very good and maybe even a little better than the other chest protectors I use. 

Mike did a good job of putting this all together for me. He used a professional seamstress and cut all the materials himself with love. I am super happy with how this turned out and he gave my Power a new life. Thanks a bunch, Mike!

[Umpiresrock74]

11 hours ago, Chartwig03 said:

I’ve had my vest in hand for about a week or two now so I wanted to give a review to Mr. @Umpiresrock74. First off, this was my first time interacting with him and can tell he geeks out over everything umpiring. I saw that he was a special guest at one of my assigner’s camps. He texted me probably everyday he had my Power, if not almost everyday. He was very excited to work on it and I appreciated his enthusiasm. He sent me a bunch of progress pictures and I was able to talk with him about any tweeks I wanted or any improvements like the fidlocks, removing the excess wings, etc. 

The materials used were closed cell foam on the outer most layer, unequal Kevlar in the middle layer, and a thin layer of closed cell foam on the inner most part of the protector. It totals half an inch thick. 

To compare this, I have a number of chest protectors: Force 3, an original Douglas West Vest (1996), All Star Cobalt (Main vest for last year), and recently started using a Team Wendy West Vest. The feel and responsiveness of the materials reminds me very much of the team wendy. The appearance is also very similar. One of the most important things to me with this project is that the materials would contour to my body and form, Mike really did accomplish that. The profile when I tried it on, was very good and maybe even a little better than the other chest protectors I use. 

Mike did a good job of putting this all together for me. He used a professional seamstress and cut all the materials himself with love. I am super happy with how this turned out and he gave my Power a new life. Thanks a bunch, Mike!

Glad I was able to give your power a new life! It was definitely fun working on it!! How are those rivets looking for you? Do they look okay?

[Chartwig03]

5 hours ago, Umpiresrock74 said:

Glad I was able to give your power a new life! It was definitely fun working on it!! How are those rivets looking for you? Do they look okay?

Yup! Look great!

[Chartwig03]

Decided to don the new rig last weekend. Felt great. Looks good. 

[Umpiresrock74]

On 3/26/2024 at 11:06 PM, Chartwig03 said:

Decided to don the new rig last weekend. Felt great. Looks good. 

Hey! I know that guy! I wonder who retrofitted his protector. mmmmmmmm...... Cyle, I want your Team Wendy, will you sell it? LOL. 

[bluetick48]

My man @Umpiresrock74 doing his thang! 

[Umpiresrock74]

1 hour ago, bluetick48 said:

My man @Umpiresrock74 doing his thang! 

I want to clarify, those are not my feet in the background, with the purple slippers, that picture was taken by my upholster. 

[Umpiresrock74]

Just Got done with John Libkas CP pad. 

[bluetick48]

 

 

[MadMax]

3 hours ago, bluetick48 said:

 

 

2 things to point out about this Riddell Power… and, in no way am I pooh-poohing UMP-Retrofit’s work: 

• I’m not at all convinced, nor mildly persuaded, that the structured stitch between the main torso vest pad and the pauldron pad is the “way to do it”. I will eternally stump for the pads being separate, and there being a connecting spline from the pauldron plate to the shoulder arch plate. The pec-wings, too, should be reposition-able and/or removable. Riddell Powers, Wilson Golds… I’m sure a few others… all do this cheat, and the unit just doesn’t fit right, because of it. 
• This Riddell Power does (vertical) sizing dead right. Instead of offering 2-3 different sizes, with ever-so-slightly larger carapace plates (ahem, Wilson, you 🤬), you make all the (main) carapace plates the same size… and then add a plate to extend the height at the bottom.

And @bluetick48, FYI… we consolidated our umpire roster numbering system in all 4 leagues under our umbrella… each umpire has a unique number… and we’re never issuing #51 again. Retired and laid-to-rest. 

[Thunderheads]

1 hour ago, MadMax said:

This Riddell Power does (vertical) sizing dead right. Instead of offering 2-3 different sizes, with ever-so-slightly larger carapace plates (ahem, Wilson, you 🤬), you make all the (main) carapace plates the same size… and then add a plate to extend the height at the bottom.

That's what Douglas does too (the way Power does it)  

[bluetick48]

1 hour ago, MadMax said:

2 things to point out about this Riddell Power… and, in no way am I pooh-poohing UMP-Retrofit’s work: 

• I’m not at all convinced, nor mildly persuaded, that the structured stitch between the main torso vest pad and the pauldron pad is the “way to do it”. I will eternally stump for the pads being separate, and there being a connecting spline from the pauldron plate to the shoulder arch plate. The pec-wings, too, should be reposition-able and/or removable. Riddell Powers, Wilson Golds… I’m sure a few others… all do this cheat, and the unit just doesn’t fit right, because of it. 
• This Riddell Power does (vertical) sizing dead right. Instead of offering 2-3 different sizes, with ever-so-slightly larger carapace plates (ahem, Wilson, you 🤬), you make all the (main) carapace plates the same size… and then add a plate to extend the height at the bottom.

And @bluetick48, FYI… we consolidated our umpire roster numbering system in all 4 leagues under our umbrella… each umpire has a unique number… and we’re never issuing #51 again. Retired and laid-to-rest. 

Thank you for the kind words and gesture @MadMax. I’ll pass that along to the family. Worked many a game with Conor and he lived about five minutes down the road from me. 

[Umpiresrock74]

On 4/3/2024 at 1:01 PM, MadMax said:

2 things to point out about this Riddell Power… and, in no way am I pooh-poohing UMP-Retrofit’s work: 

• I’m not at all convinced, nor mildly persuaded, that the structured stitch between the main torso vest pad and the pauldron pad is the “way to do it”. I will eternally stump for the pads being separate, and there being a connecting spline from the pauldron plate to the shoulder arch plate. The pec-wings, too, should be reposition-able and/or removable. Riddell Powers, Wilson Golds… I’m sure a few others… all do this cheat, and the unit just doesn’t fit right, because of it. 
• This Riddell Power does (vertical) sizing dead right. Instead of offering 2-3 different sizes, with ever-so-slightly larger carapace plates (ahem, Wilson, you 🤬), you make all the (main) carapace plates the same size… and then add a plate to extend the height at the bottom.

And @bluetick48, FYI… we consolidated our umpire roster numbering system in all 4 leagues under our umbrella… each umpire has a unique number… and we’re never issuing #51 again. Retired and laid-to-rest. 

Thanks @MadMax, I will take note of that. 

[Kelly McNary]

I had Michael and his partners retrofit my Wilson CP, and I love it. The materials used are superb compared to the original Wilson padding and protection offered is awesome! I’ve taken hits in upper level HS games and College games and have felt nothing except a very weak sounding thud. I’m thrilled with my “new” protector. 

[The Ripper]

On 3/11/2024 at 9:36 AM, Umpiresrock74 said:

Glad I was able to give your power a new life! It was definitely fun working on it!! How are those rivets looking for you? Do they look okay?

Wow!!! I just got had my gold retrofitted by Mike with Umpguard… just wow! I can’t believe how great it is, light, professional and protective. It was way worth the money, this product is  almost identical to Team Wendy. As a guy who knows tons of umpires with TW retrofits, let me say this is just like it and for a much, much cheaper price. Almost forgot, the low profile on this thing is amazing, it is a night and day difference between the original Gold padding and the Umpguard! Love it so much, Mike is a great customer service guy, listened to all my recommendations and delivered! I have no doubt that this product is going to be the next big thing in the umpire gear/product world! Unbelievable and highly recommend! ~The Ripper

 

[Umpiresrock74]

Another CP done, all my photos are on instagram at umpguardretrofitllc

[Umpiresrock74]

Been keeping busy. 

 

 

[MadMax]

11 minutes ago, Umpiresrock74 said:

Been keeping busy. 

Smart to silo them like that, keep all parts & components together of each CP. 

Now take this into a corporate-manufacturer environment, that otherwise has an entire product catalog to produce, and offers these retrofits and customizations as a side service on products that they themselves didn’t originally produce, and have only general knowledge of, and the owners/users of those products have extremely variable and unreliable knowledge of. 

Do we now see why Team Wendy’s was so valued, and why they had to eventually and reluctantly cease this service? 

[Umpiresrock74]

22 hours ago, MadMax said:

Smart to silo them like that, keep all parts & components together of each CP. 

Now take this into a corporate-manufacturer environment, that otherwise has an entire product catalog to produce, and offers these retrofits and customizations as a side service on products that they themselves didn’t originally produce, and have only general knowledge of, and the owners/users of those products have extremely variable and unreliable knowledge of. 

Do we now see why Team Wendy’s was so valued, and why they had to eventually and reluctantly cease this service? 

Yes!

[Umpiresrock74]

Well, everyone, in about 17 days, it will be a year since I first posted the question. Does anyone know where I can get my equipment retrofitted? Since then, a journey has begun; I know I haven't posted, and people have asked if I stopped this. No, I have not; I have invested most of my resources into MILB/MLB baseball, as I have about 10-15 orders of retrofit pads this month alone for MILB and MLB umpires. I don't share this to brag but to reflect on how far I have come. I couldn't have done it without everyone's help on this forum and their input. We now post on Instagram at UMP Guard Retrofit LLC. 

 

This has been a blast!

[Umpiresrock74]

Hello, Everyone.  I figured it was about time I measured  the pros and cons of our pad, and Team Wendy. Just so you know, I am not saying our pad is better than Team Wendy's.

 

Our pad has a couple of upsides that Team Wendy didn't, the first being its lightweight design. Coming in around 10 -12 oz is lighter than the heavier team Wendy pad. The second pro to our pad compared to the Team Wendy pad is the fact that the pad can be worn in all weather conditions without the padding getting hard. The third thing is breathability; many people complained about Team Wendie's being hot; in my opinion this had much to do with the fact that Team Wendy CP was insulated and heavy. What do I mean by that? Well, in taking apart a Team Wendy pad sample I had, I noticed two things: the mesh was coated with plastic vinyl inside, and the foam itself was an open-cell foam. Two problems with that are that an Open Cell Foam tends to hold water/moisture and get heavier and heavier with time. With plastic-coated vinyl on the back of the mesh, it wasn't allowing for the extra breathability the mesh could fully offer. 

 

With that being said, Team Wendy had time and experience on their hands. It is used and has been used by many MLB umpires. As my company continues to grow, I have had the opportunity to retrofit some MLB/MILB umpire's chest protectors, who you will be see wearing on the field this upcoming year. 

I don't knock Team Wendy at all for saying that we were able to make some improvements in the pad. I owe it a lot to Team Wendy as they have helped me figure out how to innovate. I have become on a first-name basis with some people over at Team Wendy, great people!  I wish they would have continued with retrofitting because it truly was iconic. I hope to be as half as good as they were in my retrofitting; I appreciate all the support, constructive feedback, photos, etc. that Everyone has given me on this forum this past year! 

It's wild to think I asked a simple question almost a year ago: "Hi, everyone! So, does anyone know who to contact to get a chest protector retrofitted like Team Wendy used to do? I have called upholsters, and all say they can’t do it. Does anyone have any ideas?" since then I have made so many friends on this forum, and learned so much! I am truly humbled to have been able to talk to amazing guys like @MadMax @Kelly McNary@Razzer, and so many other great guys! 

 

God Bless you guys, 

 

Michael Materasso

[Umpiresrock74]

On 11/27/2023 at 9:08 AM, Thunderheads said:

seems heavy .... looks pretty thick

It is actually super light, lighter than Team Wendy, and is a 1/2 inch thick.

[The Man in Blue]

That is a list and a comparison of pros and cons.  Measuring would be data.  

 

You may want to redact those images.  People's addresses and information are showing.