I'm 17 years old and next month I will be umpiring my first full season of baseball from ages 10-19. I've started looking for equipment and I was sondering if some of the veterans on here could answer a few questions for me. 1- Which would you recommend, the Davis feather (regular) mask or a hockey-style mask? 2- Is it true that the chest protector is the most valuable piece of equipment you can wear? 3- I'm looking at Davis shinguards that wrap around the knee and have an instep in them- good idea? 4- What kind of shoes would you recommend for the plate- steel toe or something else? 5- Is it worth it to buy combo pants or should a buy a pair each of plate and base pants?

If anybody has any other equipment advice I'd love to hear it. thanks :D

I'll assume that you will continue with umpiring.

Buy the best mask and chest protector you can afford. If you need to skimp, you can go cheap on the shinguards...they all work.

Buy plate shoes, Honigs, Davis, whatever. Don't try to get by on just steel toed shoes.

I have thin legs and no butt, so in the past I have used combo pants as plate pants, but I would never wear them on the bases. Currently I use plate pants and base pants.

Hockey Mask? Sure, if you want. I tried one and didn't care for it but I know several umpires who swear by them. They are still in the minority, but in 10 years they will probably be in the majority.

Undershirts...McDavids or Nike or Underarmour...something that will wick the sweat away from your body.

Mask is most valuable piece of equipment. Chest protector second. Cup third, in my opinion, but I know some guys who work cupless, but I wouldn't. Shinguards next, then plate shoes. The importance really goes from head to toe, in that order. I wear combo pants for double headers, and for one game on the bases, and plate pants for one game on the plate only. If I was just getting started I would buy combo pants and use for everything.

" but I know some guys who work cupless "

Un-effing-believable. I puckered in my chair just reading that. I've got blasted twice this week, so working without being properly equipt is just NUTS to me.

Are these geldings we're talking about?

I had believed I could shield those balls with my hand. I have been hit once just about 2 inches bellow belt without wearing cup. It was high ball tipped down. Result was 15 minutes delay in game and next 20 hours in pain. I am playing besaball without cup (even warmup catching), practising karate without cup but I will never ever again umpire without the cup. Believe me.

BTW consider http://www.lestersupstatesports.com/ Good price, nice people.

[Edited by Roman Konecny on Mar 8th, 2005 at 05:01 AM]

Some good advice on equipment from the others in the above posts. What else do you need?

1. Get a rule book ans STUDY it!

2. Observe veteran umpires whenever possible (good ones please).

3. Watch games above the level you are doing - example if you do LL, watch High School umpires.

4. Practice your timing until you can't stand it anymore!

5. You're 17 huh? Grow at least 3 more layers of thick skin so you can ignore the idiots from the stands.

8. There is no prize for throwing out players or coaches at the end of the year.

7. Remember you are an offical - the coach may be an idiot, but you are a step above. Act accordingly and you'll so alright.

Equipment For A Rookie
 

Re: combo pants. I like 'em and I use 'em. However, doing the plate in hot weather, I soak through the top several inches of pants, sometimes down to about crotch level. Thus, I can't/don't use combo pants for hot weather doubles (triples, quadruples) because I'd have to change them anyway.

Someone just mentioned them to me the other day....I'll have to look into it. Thanks.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Ozzy6900 Some good advice on equipment from the others in the above posts. What else do you need?

1. Get a rule book ans STUDY it!

-Shouldn't be a problem since I got a 98 on our rules test.

3. Watch games above the level you are doing - example if you do LL, watch High School umpires.

-Shouldn't be a problem either since I play HS baseball.

5. You're 17 huh? Grow at least 3 more layers of thick skin so you can ignore the idiots from the stands.

-I've only been umpiring for 3 years but I've learned that laughing at those idiots is better than listening to them.

7. Remember you are an offical - the coach may be an idiot, but you are a step above. Act accordingly and you'll so alright.

-My supervisors keep harping on that and the knowledge of the rules. You gave me a lot of good stuff. Thanks :D

My best recommendation for new umpires is to look on E-bay for your first set of gear. You can save 1 or 2 HUNDRED dollars by buying equipment from guys who umpired for one year and are then selling their stuff. I paid $88 w/shipping for a mask, pretty decent chest protector, and shin guards (with ball bag and indiclicker thrown in) my first year.

I kept watching on E-bay and got a pro-level set of shin guards for $28 and love 'em.

Maybe. The most valuable piece of gear you can wear is wherever you get hit with a pitch or foul tip! ;)

I would buy from Gerry Davis or Honig's. Both places have pretty good packages set up.

I am also 17 and this will be my 5th year umpiring. In Illinois, at 17, you can become IHSA certified and make more money. That also means you need your own equipment. (Before, the place a umpired had a couple of sets of (pretty crappy) equipment for use) I have been looking around and the hardest thing for me is the shoes. The biggest problem may be that I wear a size 14. So I have a few questions.

1. What do you suggest for shoes for plate and bases? (brand, high-top, low-top, etc.)

2. What chest protector do you suggest? (west vest?)

3. Has anyone heard of the Rawlings CP9500 Umpire's Vest Style Chest Protector? What do you think?

4. I am having trouble finding stores that carry this stuff (I plan on ordering online, but I need to try these things for size). What national chains carry these things?

Jason,

I too am of the large nature and have a 14 shoe. I just got my equipment for the first time a few weeks ago and i purchased the following:

Plate Shoes: Tanel 360
Chest Protector: Wilson Chest Protector

I bought this stuff at a local Umpire/Referee store, but there are several good websites out there that sell these things like:

http://www.gerrydavis.com
http://www.honigs.com
http://www.pluspos.com
http://www.wasupply.com

1) I prefer high tops, although its whatever you prefer. I like the protection and support they give. I currently wear the Spot Bilt high top umpire shoe and like it. Bases, I have the Mizuno Wave Trainer and really like them too. If not these, I would probably have the New Balance 250

2) Yes - WV is the best. If you cannot afford it, I would look at the Honig's K1 or their Elite Equipment Package. Its a good deal with good quality gear. If youre looking at a WV, the Platinum is a good deal. Currently, Ump-Attire is running a special I think.

3) Never heard of it - Stick with Honigs or WV

4) Cant help you there. Honig's is awesome with returns & problems...I find their stuff to run true to size.

[Edited by mrm21711 on Mar 20th, 2005 at 08:00 PM]

I feel the chest protector is most important. So many of the masks are too similar as long as you do not go too cheap. I personally use the hockey mask and love it as it takes and absorbs all of a foul ball shot and you will not feel a thing. Can be a little loud but not as bad as getting hit in the head with batting helmet on. The hockey mask usually have more foam that absorbs some of the sound.

chest protector I use the gray Wilson and the Cooper UMP1000. Depending on how tall your are will somewhat determine a 13, 13.5 or 14 inch protector.

Shirts, If you use bicep protectors on your chest protector, then avoid Honigs shirts. They are good shirts but the sleeves are a little shorter and will not cover the bicep protectors. Use Cliff Keen shirts with them.

Pants I use combos for plate and then I have base pants. Some plate pants can still look like bell bottomed, even with shin guards on.

Shin guards get some that come up over the knee for certain.

Shoes I use Honigs high tops plate shoes. Very light and awsome in protection. You want steel toes, not fiberglass like some of have.
Field shoes I actually use Reeboks NFL shoes. I call football as well and I get a new pair for that season. I then use them for my base shoes. They have the best traction for all surfaces compared to any other base shoe I have seen. You can get them in all black or with some white on them.

One thing not mentioned is your indicator. I use a 4 dial (balls, strikes, outs, inning) and I get one with bigger numbers. Some fields are not lit all that great and the small numbered indicators can be a pain to see. Ball bags I prefer ones that open easily with not too deep secondary pockets for your brush, indicator and pen/pencil. Some bags, these pockets go all the way down in and it can be a pain to get your brush or pen out. Honigs are my prefered there.

As mentioned before Honigs, lesters or the referee call out of Oklahoma City are good. Pos make some good stuff but unless they have cleaned up their customer service issues, I would avoid them. You maybe ready for retirement before you get something you order thru them.

Thanks for your help guys. Could I also get a few more opinions on the shirts and pants? I don't really want to spend money on base and plate pants, so do the combo ones really work?? And is there a specific brand of combo pants that are best?? For shirts, I also noticed they sell plate and base shirts, is there a need for both? Thanks for your help again.

Yes the combo pants work pretty well. I've only bought from Honig's and have no complaints what-so-ever. As for the shirts, the same, I buy from Honig's and I believe they are universal. I wear them both and haven't had a problem with them. By the way, my first game is tomorrow!!! <img src="http://www.illinoishighschoolsports.com/ubb/graemlins/headbang.gif">

As I mentioned earlier, I use combos when I am doing a double header, plate pants if I am only doing one game behind the plate, and combos if I am only doing one game on bases. I don't have any base pants. Combos work, they are just a little snugger around the shinguards than a real plate plant. It also depends on what shinguards you are using. If you are using double or triple knee shinguards the combos will be snug, but workable. If you are using a less expensive single knee shinguard the combos will be fine. Long story short, if you are starting out and want to save some money you are not likely using the best shingaurd available so combo pants should work just dandy.

I'm not sure what you mean by plate shirt, vs. base shirt, except that the plate shirt should be one size bigger. Again, if you are interested in saving money buy one size and use for plate and base. You could buy your normal size for bases and be snug when you are on plate, or buy one size larger for plate and be a little loose on bases. I prefer to have the right size for plate.

I buy most of my stuff at Honigs. Never had a problem with Honigs equipment, service, delivery, etc.

Also, I would buy a package, both for equipment and uniform. That's what I did, saved a few bucks.

Just in case anyone thinks this is a good idea, a little story...

I was at my son's winter ball LL game and the ump didn't show up. I had my gear in my truck, but no uniform, no jock, and no place to change. I figured that this was 9-11 year old ball, I'd just throw the gear on over my clothes and help out. Not having anywhere to change or a jock, I didn't wear a cup.

Between innings, I was explaining to a coach why the hands aren't part of the bat when the 10yo pitcher warming up lost his grip and the ball came sailing my way. Didn't even see it coming. Sometime next month I'm having my second surgery to correct the problems that this caused. (But I finished the game).

Wear a cup. No matter what.

Sounds like you didn't really have your gear in the truck. My cup is part of my gear. IF, I was going to do a winter league 9-11 year old LL game by myself without a cup, I would do it from behing the mound.

[Edited by DG on Mar 21st, 2005 at 08:52 AM]

My partner on Saturday told me an interesting story. He was checking the bats before a game once, and he set his mask on the ground next the dugout. Eventually the game gets started, and his mask is still on the ground by the dugout. Pitcher finishes his warmup pitches, he dusts of the plate and gets behind the catcher. He calls play, and the pitcher pitches. He calls the pitch a strike, and then one of the coaches asks him if he is seeing the pitches really good today, at which point he realizes that he is not wearing his mask. He was lucky he didn't get killed.

The GD feather weight mask is about the same as every other lightweight mask made by Honig's and +POS. There are new masks with a squared off front, which give you a better view. But I believe that these are only made by Wilson and +POS.

Personally, I think the hocky style mask does not look good.

[/B][/QUOTE]

My partner on Saturday told me an interesting story. He was checking the bats before a game once, and he set his mask on the ground next the dugout. Eventually the game gets started, and his mask is still on the ground by the dugout. Pitcher finishes his warmup pitches, he dusts of the plate and gets behind the catcher. He calls play, and the pitcher pitches. He calls the pitch a strike, and then one of the coaches asks him if he is seeing the pitches really good today, at which point he realizes that he is not wearing his mask. He was lucky he didn't get killed. [/B][/QUOTE]

I actually saw a partner of mine (I wasn't working the game, just stopped by to watch) work a 14-15 game for a 1/2 an inning with no mask. This guy was a stickler for starting the game on time and he forgot his mask. When he saw I was at the game, he motioned for me to come to the backstop. I got his mask for him. Absolutely insane.

Lawrence

I dittos the cup. Worked a 9/10 year old game and I learned my lesson real quick!

My partner on Saturday told me an interesting story. He was checking the bats before a game once, and he set his mask on the ground next the dugout. Eventually the game gets started, and his mask is still on the ground by the dugout. Pitcher finishes his warmup pitches, he dusts of the plate and gets behind the catcher. He calls play, and the pitcher pitches. He calls the pitch a strike, and then one of the coaches asks him if he is seeing the pitches really good today, at which point he realizes that he is not wearing his mask. He was lucky he didn't get killed. [/B][/QUOTE]

I actually saw a partner of mine (I wasn't working the game, just stopped by to watch) work a 14-15 game for a 1/2 an inning with no mask. This guy was a stickler for starting the game on time and he forgot his mask. When he saw I was at the game, he motioned for me to come to the backstop. I got his mask for him. Absolutely insane.

Lawrence
[/B][/QUOTE]

YIKES!!! That is insane. Why didn't he let the other umpire work the plate (if there was one)?

Check Out ProNine
 

I would suggest you look at the Pro9 gear at http://www.pronine.com. IMO it is a great value for the money (Chest protector is 1/3 cost of Honigs K-1 and is a slightly lighter knockoff version). Chest protector will work for the ages you are going to work (some say it is not good for high school age but I disagree). One of our association umpires uses the hockey style mask for college ball so it must be ok.

Prices are $45 chest protector, $60 shin guards, $60 Hockey Style mask. Prices are from Western Athletic Supply.

As others said - make sure you like the umpiring gig before spending a ton of money. ProNine is a good choice to accomplish this if you ask me.

I got a nice package from theofficialcall.com on umpire uniform.

$99.95 for:

Cliff Keen combo pants
Cliff Keen mesh shirt
Base hat
Tube Socks
Black leather belt

That is the cheapest I found, anyone found a similar package cheaper??

Where I am stuck is the equipment. Particularly the chest protector. I am looking at the West Vest Platinum, but it is only 13.5 inches and I am 6' 2". I don't know if that will work?? Also, I found the Original West Vest, new, for $80 and the Original Gold West Vest, new, for $100. Is that a good deal?

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jason181988
[B]
Where I am stuck is the equipment. Particularly the chest protector. I am looking at the West Vest Platinum, but it is only 13.5 inches and I am 6' 2". I don't know if that will work??


Yes it will work

Equipment
 

Jason -

Remember that the chest protector does not protect your belly. You want the bottom to be about 2-3 fingers above your navel. Talk to whoever you buy from and they can help you with getting to correct size.

This is strictly my opinion but I would not get the West Vest protector. I have tried one on and they are heavy and very stiff and uncomfortable for me. I have read many a post saying they are hot and hard to fit correctly. But to be fair there are lots of people who love them.

I would consider the Honig's K-1 protector for about the same money and it comes in Large or X-Large. I own one and it is light, comfortable and from what I have read much cooler than the West Vest. You can check them out at http://www.honigs.com/detail.asp?Cat=2&Sub=36&Item=344

My Queen has a ProNine protector and as I said before I think it is a great value for the money and has almost as good of protection as the Hoing's. It is even lighter than the Honig's.

[Edited by doogus on Mar 21st, 2005 at 10:00 PM]

Has anyone tried the Gerry Davis equipment? They have a package for shin guards, chest prot., and mask.

The shin guards have only 2 straps. This eliminates the irritation of the strap behind the knee. But how do they stay up and not falling down your let????

If you are interested.... http://www.pronine.com ..I can get you a set of equipment which includes the hockey style mask, a protector, and shin guards...for a decent price.

I do like the ProNine single bar face mask. How can you get me a special rate?

Anyone ever used this one this chest protector? It is very similar to Honig's model and also much cheaper.

I ordered a complete package from PluPOS this year and saved about $100. If you can afford it, get the good stuff up front. It'll last longer and you'll ultimately save money by avoiding the 'wants' all year.

I think +POS has good products however most of the time whenever I'm ordering usually their products are on backorder. That's the only thing I've had with them.