I've got a Douglas West Vest on Ebay right now. It's been bid over 150 bucks, with two days to go.

What gives? Is it some sort of collectors item? It's an OK rig, but you can get a new Gold or Platinum for this kind of money.

k
 

If it is a "real" Douglas it is undervalued at this moment.

How can I tell if it's a fake? I wouldn't want to mislead anyone.

Can you tell by looking at a picture?


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW

What is the attraction to a Douglas West Vest? Is this similar to owning a 57 Chevy?

Yeah, but at least everyone can see you drivin' the Cheby. There's a "cool" factor to it.

The only guy that knows if I'm wearing a Douglas WV is the kook peeking at me changing gear in the parking lot. Him I'm not trying to impress.

What I don't get is my plate coat is only going for $61. Now that's the Nomad of umpire gear.

So I don't get it. Why the interest in Douglas WV?

Beats me.

If it is a Doublas West Vest when Joe West was still working with Douglas,like mine, some folks seem to think it's valuable.

If it was made after he left for Wilson, it's not the same.

I think what is making it valuable is that it has Bicep Protectors. Many umpires below the college level rely on these and the new WestVest Gold and Platinum's do not come with them any longer. I myself have been toiling over purchasing a Platinum or getting the newer version of the Honigs Pro-Elite (which I use now) for this very same reason. The newer version of the Honigs adds a third plate in the shoulders to fill a gap that the ball always seems to find. Other than that, the Honigs will stop a freight train.

People, people, people
 

Wrong Nick, the value of the protector is as a "quality" protector and well made.

"Real" umpires cut bicep pads off of ANY protector.

Bicep protectors are for little girls and guys who wear hockey helment thingies.

Kyle, I guess you have to simply decide what you want in a protector. There is an idiot over on ABUA that claims if you spend over $50 on a chest protector you've been swindled.

Facts as I see them:

If you find a Douglas that is over 7 years old and in good condition, buy it.

If you find a Ridell Power protector, buy it.

If you find a West Vest made by Joe West himself, buy it.

I have a Carlucci. Handmade to fit, life time warranty, and it is "historical" in value.

Other then buying for historical significance a guy should buy a protector that fits his budget and level of ball that is called.

I've already got a WV Platinum, and Cooper Ump1000. The Platinum is, IMO, a far superior protector. I got the Douglas to work with a plate coat, because it's thinner, and less bulky. But being more compact it transfers more energy, instead of absorbing it like the Platinum.

I could never get the bicep protectors to fit comfortably, so I never used them. They're a velcro-on accessory, so they're strictly optional.

""Real" umpires cut bicep pads off of ANY protector.
Bicep protectors are for little girls and guys who wear hockey helment thingies."

Why throw in that ignorant crack to an otherwise informative reply? That was silly, uncalled for and certainly unprofessional.

Pity.

"Why throw in that ignorant crack to an otherwise informative reply? That was silly, uncalled for and certainly unprofessional."

Oh no! I have offended yet another Little League umpire.

Will the pain never end.

Unprofessional? I did not know there were pro umps here? Man I usually pick up on these things.

Tim C.

Have a nice day. And good luck with your umpiring.

"Will the pain never end."

Way to look down your nose at people you don't know.

I'm sure if you knew me you probably wouldn't be so bold, nor quick to insult. Please don't bother to reply to any of my posts in the future.

Re: People, people, people
 

How DARE you express an opinion that others don't want to hear. For shame. You might have damaged the self esteem of umpires who wear bicep protectors and carry red flags in their back pockets.