Team Wendy Retrofit options

[Umpiresrock74]

Hello everyone, 

I hope your week is going well. I wanted to reach out to everyone and let you guys know that I am starting a business and wanted to reach out to my fellow umpires to promote the business.

With this business we will be retrofitting umpire chest protectors. What that basically means is that we will be taking your old chest protector and recreating newer, thinner, and more durable foam and then putting your chest protector plates on the new foam. Similar to team Wendy. 

To break it down, you send us your old chest protector (this only goes for chest protectors that have plates Velcroed on), we take it and create a custom size, mold, and fit with neoprene foam, then sandwich the foam in between some high durable fabric. Then we measure out your plates, and put the Velcro in where the plates need to rest. 

So why chose us? Well for starter we are the only company that is doing this right now, (expect Douglas who does their own). Another reason to chose us is because you will not find a slimmer chest protector on the market, unless if you want to pay $400. We also fully customize the chest protector to your needs, we will make it bigger, smaller, longer, etc… to make sure that it fits you just right!  

Why retrofit? Unlike buying a traditional chest protector retrofitting offers you to still keep the style of chest protector that you have, but at a cheaper price. Another reason to chose retrofit is because of the thickness of the padding. Measuring at a 1/2 inch this padding is truly some of the best out there! Now, you might be asking yourself, who does companies like Wilson, champion, etc.. make their padding so thick? Well one reason is that most of these companies use cheap memory foam. Memory foam is a open cell foam where it provides more of a cushion than protection, while neoprene foam does a better job at absorbing impact. Most chest protectors on the market are between 1-2 inches when it conned to their foam, while we measure around at a 1/2. Don’t believe us? Let the pictures speak for themselves. (To come later).

We are currently getting ready to take off with the business as we plan to start this sometime in the spring. We would also like to note that the chest protector shown is not 100% finished, as we need to put the final touches on it. 

If you have any interest in getting on a waiting list for this padding please text me at  (727)331-3998. If you are interested in testing out a prototype to give feedback please also let me know. 

God Bless,

Michael Materasso

 

Photos. 
Final touches still getting out on. One photo compares Wilson’s padding to our chest protector!

[BT_Blue]

Do you have an idea on price point?

[Umpiresrock74]

Here is mine. Just need to clean up the glue, and take the pins out.
A couple of things have to be cleaned up. Glue, trim, etc.: but this is what it roughly will look like. Just more clean.
I think the biggest thing right now is finding the right binding. We need to find some heavier duty binding, some that is not so flexible. More sturdy. 

[Umpiresrock74]

18 hours ago, BT_Blue said:

Do you have an idea on price point?

Depending on customization between $110-130. Not including shipping. 

[Umpiresrock74]

On 12/29/2023 at 12:15 AM, BT_Blue said:

Do you have an idea on price 

On 12/29/2023 at 12:15 AM, BT_Blue said:

Do you have an idea on price point?

Trying to figure that out. We decided to hire a professional sewer. How much would you guys be willing to pay for a manufacturer like chest protector padding. Similar to team Wendy 

[Umpiresrock74]

On 12/12/2023 at 12:11 PM, 834k3r said:

Tough to say from the photos, but it looks solid enough. If it was me, I'd try to figure out a way to incorporate buckles (traditional or magnetic) instead of the T-hooks. I didn't think T-hooks were that big of a deal until I started wearing my Cobalt. I can now say unequivocally that yes, T-hooks are terrible for multiple reasons.

 

On 12/12/2023 at 1:44 PM, BT_Blue said:

Agreed. The new fitlocks or whatever the name is (the magnetic ones now on the new Wilsons) would work great with this. You can buy them pretty cheap on Amazon. But agreed... stay away from those terrible t hooks.

 

On 12/12/2023 at 4:36 PM, umpstu said:

Those fitlocks are awesome.

 

 

On 12/13/2023 at 10:43 AM, wolfe_man said:

Fidlock buckles

https://www.amazon.com/Fidlock-Magnetic-Buckle-Slider-Replacement/dp/B07S2S1V49/ref=asc_df_B07S2S1V49/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=343221166983&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=897684739281442245&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9014977&hvtargid=pla-765753016958&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=69167794975&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=343221166983&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=897684739281442245&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9014977&hvtargid=pla-765753016958

 

 

Gentlemen, so as you guys know I have been talking about retrofitting my chest protector for a while now. So, as you guys know I was using fabric glue to hold everything together. Well, that was working as well as using a paper bag as a umpire mask. So, here is the update, I called and called and called and called.... people who do upholstery in my area, a lot of "no, we can’t do that". However, in the last week or so, I have met up with someone that is able to do what I am wanting done and is willing to do more. I get mine back Monday, let’s just say he did a sample for me on one of the shoulder pads and I was amazed! I think we hit a breakthrough! Once I get mine, I will send photos. The person we are using used to work at a factory where they made similar vests for police officers. We are so happy to say that we plan to open shop to the public Mid-February if not sooner, if things go smooth sailing from here! 

 

 

Yes! We will be able to apply Fidlocks, re-due rivets, replace rivets, custom colors, etc... We will work with you to make sure we can most certainly customize it as much as we can for you! Very similar to Team Wendy. 

 

We are using some very high, durable, and nice foam, at a 1/2 inch thick. We are also going to test the idea of using Kevlar with ours (for an extra cost). I am so pumped about this project, as some of you guys know I have been working on this idea since Late September early October. We are so close; I can’t wait till Monday!

 

If you guys have any questions, please let me know. 

 

 

[Umpiresrock74]

2 hours ago, Umpiresrock74 said:

 

 

 

Gentlemen, so as you guys know I have been talking about retrofitting my chest protector for a while now. So, as you guys know I was using fabric glue to hold everything together. Well, that was working as well as using a paper bag as a umpire mask. So, here is the update, I called and called and called and called.... people who do upholstery in my area, a lot of "no, we can’t do that". However, in the last week or so, I have met up with someone that is able to do what I am wanting done and is willing to do more. I get mine back Monday, let’s just say he did a sample for me on one of the shoulder pads and I was amazed! I think we hit a breakthrough! Once I get mine, I will send photos. The person we are using used to work at a factory where they made similar vests for police officers. We are so happy to say that we plan to open shop to the public Mid-February if not sooner, if things go smooth sailing from here! 

 

 

Yes! We will be able to apply Fidlocks, re-due rivets, replace rivets, custom colors, etc... We will work with you to make sure we can most certainly customize it as much as we can for you! Very similar to Team Wendy. 

 

We are using some very high, durable, and nice foam, at a 1/2 inch thick. We are also going to test the idea of using Kevlar with ours (for an extra cost). I am so pumped about this project, as some of you guys know I have been working on this idea since Late September early October. We are so close; I can’t wait till Monday!

 

If you guys have any questions, please let me know. 

 

 

Right now we are trying to get a crowd funding, just so we know are market, let me know if any of you guys would be intersted. 

[Umpiresrock74]

It is done! Omg! So exciting!

[Umpiresrock74]

On 12/12/2023 at 12:11 PM, 834k3r said:

Tough to say from the photos, but it looks solid enough. If it was me, I'd try to figure out a way to incorporate buckles (traditional or magnetic) instead of the T-hooks. I didn't think T-hooks were that big of a deal until I started wearing my Cobalt. I can now say unequivocally that yes, T-hooks are terrible for multiple reasons.

Well I got the Fidlocks on them. What do you think, FYI, the chalk comes off. LOL. It was jsut on there for proudction. 

[Umpiresrock74]

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

[MadMax]

3 hours ago, Umpiresrock74 said:

We also are working with a company who has been shown to be better in protection than Team Wendy. 

That’s not only a bold claim to make, but also unverifiable by any measurable metric. 

“Better than”? How? What are you considering “better than”? And “shown to be”? Again, how? 

Kevlar’s elasticity & strength-to-weight ratio  doesn’t make “better protection”. Instead, it makes it the (only) ideal candidate and solution for arresting (catching) ballistics under a certain force (mass & velocity combined). Steel can do it, but the penalty is weight. Significant. But if Kevlar is so much “better” than other materials, then can we say that the Kevlar-infused Force3 UnEqual CP is “the Best” CP on the market?? 

No we cannot. There’s a lot – a lot – more to it. 

Team Wendy’s was pressed into service because someone on staff identified that the state of foam for mask pads was (and still is, to an extent) woefully inadequate and borderline barbaric. TW’s entire ethos is to eliminate – or, at the very least, significantly and crucially reduce – traumatic brain injuries. So their mask pads were supplied to Major League umpires, who were otherwise used to either big-volume open-cell foam pads, which relied on stand-off distance, or dense, heavy, leather-encased pads lined with recycled wool and upholstery foam. 

TW’s Zorbium foam reacts endothermically. This means that it crushes and rebounds, along an exponential gradient / curve, while converting that impacting energy to heat. The vital characteristic is that (relatively) gradual resistance. TW owns that formula that controls the amount of resistance, and they can create different variants of Zorbium to suit the application. 

They must be doing something right; the US Armed Forcrs locked them into a (near) airtight supply contract to make helmets and other protective headgear. They no longer could support or justify making customized replacement pads for baseball gear. 

If a company’s got a product (foam) “better” than Team Wendy’s Zorbium at – this is important – endothermic reactive resistance, and is hydrophobic (sheds water), and low rebound, and is lightweight, then I haven’t heard of it. And I’ve heard of a lot of different options. The reasons that Team Wendy’s got to be so revered on CPs is down to three factors: 

1. Zorbium was readily on-hand, and was thinner (by half to 2/3rds) than upholstery foam. 
2. Team Wendy’s was receptive and accommodating (within reason) to the customers, in this case (first) the Major League umpires, and then as word spread, amateur umpires. Word of mouth is always more effective than advertising (ie. a particular logo, ahem). 
3. The quality of craftsmanship & the materials used justified the (monetary) value. 

On that last point, especially, is where Douglas still, to this day, trounces Wilson. Even with Wilson (finally! 20 years late!) “improving” the pad vest by using (basic, unbranded, ie. cheap) Memory Foam, Douglas’s craftsmanship and customer relations completely outshine the big yelloW slug. Now, if we could get Douglas to upgrade their pad vest from Qualux (upholstery foam) to a modern laminate foam, we’d have another dragonslayer. 

[boyinr]

17 hours ago, MadMax said:

. Now, if we could get Douglas to upgrade their pad vest from Qualux (upholstery foam) to a modern laminate foam, we’d have another dragonslayer. 

^^^^^This please.  The Douglas is great but, for that.  I would love a pad alternative.     

[Umpiresrock74]

7 minutes ago, boyinr said:

^^^^^This please.  The Douglas is great but, for that.  I would love a pad alternative.     

I have heard good things about the Douglas. 

[wolfe_man]

2 hours ago, boyinr said:

^^^^^This please.  The Douglas is great but, for that.  I would love a pad alternative.     

I saw a guy that used the Adams HDXV pad jacket for his Douglas. Thinner and promotes airflow!  What's not to like?

Oh yeah, and did I mention that the Adams already has the Velcro on it for your Douglas plates to fit without mods?

[Thunderheads]

1 minute ago, wolfe_man said:

I saw a guy that used the Adams HDXV pad jacket for his Douglas. Thinner and promotes airflow!  What's not to like?

Oh yeah, and did I mention that the Adams already has the Velcro on it for your Douglas plates to fit without mods?

Woah! What?  You keep the shoulder padding portion however, correct?

[MadMax]

1 hour ago, Umpiresrock74 said:

I have heard good things about the Douglas. 

 

1 hour ago, Umpiresrock74 said:

I heard it’s thin and protective.

Here’s where you need to learn 2 things: 

1. In regards to product design, engineering, and development, and… 
2. In regards to the U-E forum. 

So you’ve heard that. “Protective” is a value-less adjective. Can’t measure it. Its value is assembled from what a person thinks it to be. Take this component + this characteristic + these elements + these values = “protective”. It’s marketing shorthand. If you don’t know why or how it’s (perceived to be) protective, you’ll expend unnecessary time and resources trialing (and erroring) in your efforts to surpass it, let alone achieve its equal. Even Chinese copycats can’t do it. 

In that same vein, “thin” is another near-useless adjective. It’s a descriptor, and while you can measure it, without knowing how or why it’s thin, or what comprises it, it does you little good as a designer or developer. 

I have to hand it to Douglas – while they still use open cell upholstery foam, at least they don’t lie or fib about it; they’re right up front in stating they use Qualux Upholstery Foam. Wilson uses the same stuff! So why is the Douglas unit (a bit) thinner, despite being the same foam? Well, because the Douglas is manufactured here domestically, the ABS (plastic) plates can be larger and denser. That additional density translates into more energy absorption, thereby lessening the load upon the foam behind it. By contrast, the Wilson units are wholly produced in China, so they strive to lighten each unit as much as possible, not to benefit you, the customer, but to cram as many units as possible into a container for transoceanic shipment. 

There’s also a psychological (lie) implication at play here: a thicker pad looks to be more absorbing, and thus, more “protective”. Teamed with that MLB logo on it, the CP appears to be able to handle MLB velocities.  
If I had Douglas’s ear, they could stand to switch to a modern laminate foam, complete with a wicking, hydrophobic membrane, and they could cast their ABS plates with ventilation holes in them, just like the Schutt-Adams. Game. Set. Match. 

… oh, and I’d develop a new vest-to-plate fastening system, far more effective than velcro facing. 

NOW, on point 2… you gotta learn how to transpose your thoughts into one post. Read (all) posts and responses thoroughly, process them, and then compose your own post. This forum is not a texting/chatting session, and hitting the “Return” key ≠ “Send”. Coincidently, this is much like (effective) umpiring. You must let the play complete, observe and process all the components, and then arrive at your ruling or judgement. If a participant has a contestation, then it is best to let them present their “case”, listen to it, process it, and then reply with a concise resolution. 
If you just keep going on and on and on, repetitively, or if you keep hopping from one thought to another, you’ll confuse, frustrate, or agitate the person(s) you’re interacting with. 

[wolfe_man]

1 hour ago, Thunderheads said:

Woah! What?  You keep the shoulder padding portion however, correct?

Yes. Douglas shoulders(plates and pads) and chest plate placed on the Adams pad.

Or get really creative and kill the rivets on the Douglas shoulders and then you can use the Adams ones along with the pad jacket.  In my opinion, the Adams shoulders are better than the Dougals ones provided.  They're thinner and fit me better for a lower profile appearance.

YMMV

[wolfe_man]

The Adams also works as a pad replacement for the Gold as well.  Just ask @The Short Umpire as he's done it on several of them.

You just buy industrial strength Velcro (1" or 2" works well) from your local hardware/big box store and put it on the back of your Gold chest plate.  Then, use the Adams shoulders already on the pad jacket and stick your now Velcro-d Gold plate on the Adams pad jacket. 

It takes less than 10 minutes to do the whole thing and it is less than 1/2 the thickness of a Gold pad jacket - plus it breathes now!  I've done this to two Golds and I kept using the t-hooks and loved it! 

Lightweight, breathable, hydrophobic and protective!  And at the time I did it, a new Adams was less than $90 shipped!

The problem we face now is finding new, or used, Adams jackets since they've stopped producing them.  But if you've got one lying around, then I encourage you to use it and send @MadMax your spare parts (plastic carapace, bicep protectors, waist enlarger, etc.) for him to use on other CP's.

 

[Umpiresrock74]

6 hours ago, MadMax said:

 

Here’s where you need to learn 2 things: 

1. In regards to product design, engineering, and development, and… 
2. In regards to the U-E forum. 

So you’ve heard that. “Protective” is a value-less adjective. Can’t measure it. Its value is assembled from what a person thinks it to be. Take this component + this characteristic + these elements + these values = “protective”. It’s marketing shorthand. If you don’t know why or how it’s (perceived to be) protective, you’ll expend unnecessary time and resources trialing (and erroring) in your efforts to surpass it, let alone achieve its equal. Even Chinese copycats can’t do it. 

In that same vein, “thin” is another near-useless adjective. It’s a descriptor, and while you can measure it, without knowing how or why it’s thin, or what comprises it, it does you little good as a designer or developer. 

I have to hand it to Douglas – while they still use open cell upholstery foam, at least they don’t lie or fib about it; they’re right up front in stating they use Qualux Upholstery Foam. Wilson uses the same stuff! So why is the Douglas unit (a bit) thinner, despite being the same foam? Well, because the Douglas is manufactured here domestically, the ABS (plastic) plates can be larger and denser. That additional density translates into more energy absorption, thereby lessening the load upon the foam behind it. By contrast, the Wilson units are wholly produced in China, so they strive to lighten each unit as much as possible, not to benefit you, the customer, but to cram as many units as possible into a container for transoceanic shipment. 

There’s also a psychological (lie) implication at play here: a thicker pad looks to be more absorbing, and thus, more “protective”. Teamed with that MLB logo on it, the CP appears to be able to handle MLB velocities.  
If I had Douglas’s ear, they could stand to switch to a modern laminate foam, complete with a wicking, hydrophobic membrane, and they could cast their ABS plates with ventilation holes in them, just like the Schutt-Adams. Game. Set. Match. 

… oh, and I’d develop a new vest-to-plate fastening system, far more effective than velcro facing. 

NOW, on point 2… you gotta learn how to transpose your thoughts into one post. Read (all) posts and responses thoroughly, process them, and then compose your own post. This forum is not a texting/chatting session, and hitting the “Return” key ≠ “Send”. Coincidently, this is much like (effective) umpiring. You must let the play complete, observe and process all the components, and then arrive at your ruling or judgement. If a participant has a contestation, then it is best to let them present their “case”, listen to it, process it, and then reply with a concise resolution. 
If you just keep going on and on and on, repetitively, or if you keep hopping from one thought to another, you’ll confuse, frustrate, or agitate the person(s) you’re interacting with. 

Thank you Mad Max! I appreciate it.

[MadMax]

One of my favorite speakers addressed this very topic: 

What you’re trying to embark on is not easy. And, we (collectively) acknowledge you have passion for this, and we don’t want to necessarily squash your efforts… but please take this from guys who are or have been in design & engineering… you must define the problem first, and weigh whether or not a solution is warranted. If it is, there’s an entire process of trial and error before an effective, comprehensive solution is reached. 

 

[Chartwig03]

On 2/22/2024 at 12:10 PM, wolfe_man said:

I saw a guy that used the Adams HDXV pad jacket for his Douglas. Thinner and promotes airflow!  What's not to like?

Oh yeah, and did I mention that the Adams already has the Velcro on it for your Douglas plates to fit without mods?

I tried this and didn’t love it. The jacket of the adams has a much wider profile who messes with the spacing of the douglas

[The Short Umpire]

18 minutes ago, Chartwig03 said:

I tried this and didn’t love it. The jacket of the adams has a much wider profile who messes with the spacing of the douglas

I knew I left that somewhere! I distinctly remember sending out two CP’s and getting nothing back! Good thing I know a lawy… oh wait… 🤨😂

[bluetick48]

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!!!

[Umpiresrock74]

2 hours ago, 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!!!

I appreciate it.

[Umpiresrock74]

On 2/23/2024 at 10:35 AM, MadMax said:

One of my favorite speakers addressed this very topic: 

What you’re trying to embark on is not easy. And, we (collectively) acknowledge you have passion for this, and we don’t want to necessarily squash your efforts… but please take this from guys who are or have been in design & engineering… you must define the problem first, and weigh whether or not a solution is warranted. If it is, there’s an entire process of trial and error before an effective, comprehensive solution is reached. 

 

Hey mad max, sorry, I didnt see this message, I will definetly watch this video.