Chest Protector

[DG]

Originally posted by Rick Friedmann
I'll be moving up from bases to plate this season (high-school age travel teams, and high school varsity next season) Should I look at the Honigs or ProNine protectors at all, or only the West Vests? Is the advantage to the West Vest the deflection plates or is there more to set them apart from the fabric-and-pads chest protectors?

Also, does anyone wear Itech protectors?

If I were buying a protector today I would buy a Honigs K1. I don't know anybody who uses ProNine or Itech. The ones I looked at on the net don't look sufficient enough for HS ball.

If you want a good hard shell protector with 5/8 inch high density closed cell foam behind it try a V-Sport UPRO. It comes in 13, 15, and 17 inch and sells for about $60 on the net.

[big]

OK, I USED to be a cheapskate and I refused to buy a high dollar hard shell protector. I'm changing that. Today working a JV game I took one right on top of the collarbone where I broke it about 20 years ago. OUCH! About 15 minutes later the catcher cleanly missed a high, inside fastball and it just missed my helmet and caught me square on the left side of the neck missing all prtotective gear. When the ball hit me I felt mu neck pop. Double Ouch! My partner called time and came and checked me out with one of the trainers. That was the closest I've ever came to being knocked out of a game. I guess I'll be seeing my chiropractor tomorrow!

I've been umping on and off for 20+ years and that's the first time I've ever taken a shot that hard to the neck. I guess it was my wake up call.

BTW... Qudos to my partner. It was the 1st time I've ever worked w/ him. He's one of the old-timers around here and only works a limited schedule. While I was being attended to he jumped the catcher and informed him that he will block those from now on. It was nice having a partner that covered your back while your standing there seeing stars!