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?

The mundane first: Get a hard shelled protector. Carlucci, West Vest Gold and Douglas are, in my opinion the best, in that order.

Now for the more interesting: Does your association actually make one work nothing but bases for a season or longer and then "move you up" to the plate?" Really? Where are you located that this happens?

No, they don't "make us". I was probably unclear. In Ohio new umpires start at Grade 2 where you can do any game EXCEPT high school varsity behind the plate. I'll be doing plates in the travel games (and girls fastpitch) then I'll be upgrading to Grade 1 next season and do varsity plates.
Sorry for the confusion.

The Pro-Nine et.al. version of the Honig's K-1 Elite Protector are thinner and less padded. Avoid those.

I own a K1 - Honig's Pro Elite protector. The protective part is made up of a very dense, lightweight foam something. It is not you run of the mill padding. It is definitely uniquely suited to it's purpose. The foam stuff have some sort of plastic plate over it. Now I'm not trying to tell you that the plate's are as thick as the West Vests/Carlucci/et.al. In terms of the shoulder areas, the Honigs will stop anything.

I feel very confident in the ability of the Honig K-1 to protect me from any shot I would take. You have to judge that for yourself. Others opinions may vary.

I will tell you though that the Honigs is VERY lightweight. I almost thought the box was empty when they shipped it. It also gives me good freedom of movement. Lastly, the XL model is 14" long with the ability to add two or four more inches to the bottom. That is great if you have a longer torso or don't like the extra exposed region that most protectors leave open.

I am happy with mine and would recommend it. Your mileage may vary.

Well,
 

Since I work the "Gerry Davis Stance" I get hit far less often than umpires in other stances. But I did research chest protectors for an article for another site so I do know a few things.

Chest protectors are engineered to handle certain levels of play. The engineering and product insurance costs drive the cost of protectors up as you need added protection for higher levels of baseball.

I agree that the Honig's K1 is a real good protector for now and the near future.

Heck, Jon Bible wears a K1 doing D1.

However, I am a "hardshell" guy. In fact my Carlucci has three separate systems of protection.

A chest protector purchased for $50 is not as good as one that sells for $100. A $100 protector is not quite as good that ones that sells for $150.

Just make sure that you have great collar bone coverage and that the protectors ends just below your sternum.

The state does not specify what you can work. Class 2 officials cannot work Varsity, no matter what their assignment is (plate/base on the field.)

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.

Well very said, I really like my K1 too. Very good protector. I bought the Elite package from Honig's and everything is great!

Question for DG or anybody else with experience with a VSport UPro 15. I'm thinking of buying one -- I can't afford plunking down $150 for a chest protector at this point or I'd get something better. The VSport UPro looks like a good mid-range hard-shell protector, but looks can often be deceiving. Anybody have any thoughts on this protector?

I mentioned this protector because I use it (UPRO15) and I am satisfied with it. IMO it is the best protector available, for $60, and I am in no hurry to upgrade.

[Edited by DG on Mar 27th, 2005 at 11:29 PM]

Sorry, but you are incorrect.

According to 2004-2005 OHSAA Handbook For Officials:

Section X. - 1. - 1.1 - 1.11 ( page 21 )

" High School Varsity - Minimum of one OHSAA Class 1 or Class 2 Baseball umpire required. Regardless of number, all must be Class 1 or Class 2. "



I should also add that you are partially correct. The Tournament Level Requirements ( Sectional, District, Regional, and State ) are -

" Must hold an OHSAA Class 1 Permit in Baseball. "

The post, however, did not relate to that area as it was presented.

[Edited by officialtony on Mar 28th, 2005 at 09:18 AM]

Honigs
 

I like my K1 - HONIG'S PRO ELITE PROTECTOR, however Friday I took a 90mph foul ball off of my collarbone and it hurt! The impact caused my necklace to cut my skin. I also broke the clasp on my necklace. I have to say that if I had my old protector on it would have broken my collarbone. You can check the K1 out at http://www.honigs.com/browse_products.asp?Cat=2&Sub=36

Re: Honigs
 

Do you accessorize your necklace with a hand bag or just your ball bag?

Wearing a necklace while umpiring? Good grief.

[Edited by GarthB on Mar 29th, 2005 at 10:58 AM]

Garth, Garth, Garth
 

IF the necklace matches the hand bag the BALL bags should be a "contrast color".

It would be the Manlo Bolonick 5" Heels that would also match up to the necklace.

"Necklace/Umpire" . . . not in my area.

WE WEAR PUKA SHELLS!

Re: Re: Honigs
 

Garth,

Don't be silly. I'm sure it matches his wristwatch.

--Rich

I know of a few umpires who wear gold colored watches (cheap ones I would think) while umpiring. I find this very unprofessional and the ones that wear these aren't very good anyway.

Re: Honigs
 

I took a 90 MPH fastball of my left hand about 5 weeks ago, and it broke my pinky finger. Orthopedist says I can remove the splint next week. I was pi**ed at the catcher for not getting a glove on an inside fastball, but if I had broken the clasp on my necklace on the pitch I would have been REALLY PI**SED.

Garth
 

Garth,
Who are you to criticize me? It appears to me that you really don’t have anything better to do but post negative remarks on what should be a tool for officials. However I under stand that people like you need to make disparaging remark about other people they don’t even know. I think that is a reflection of the person on the keyboard. With that said, I am not going to go any lower. Garth have you ever seen a medical necklace?

Bless you hart!

Re: Garth
 

Well I guess that makes us even. You know me as much as I know you and we both passed judgment on one another.

Yes, I am quite familiar with medical necklaces and bracelets.

I apologize if you were offended by my surprise that an umpire would wear a necklace while working a game. I hadn't thought about a medical necklace with which I am very familiar, nor did I see a reference to one.

Mea Culpa.

Re: Re: Garth
 

Your OK in my book Garth.

Check out my articals on the site!

Billy

Re: Re: Honigs
 

Garth the necklace I wear is here second on the left.
http://www.medicalert.ca/en/products/prodsteel.asp

Re: Re: Re: Honigs
 

As I posted to Mr. Houston, I neither saw referenced in any post nor thought of a medical necklace. I have apologized for my error. Feel free to pile on though, I have it coming. ;)

Re: Re: Re: Re: Honigs
 

My apologies, too. You could've mentioned that it was a medical alert bracelet -- I have seen umpires wear Mr. T starter kits on the field....and I didn't put the name together with that of one of Carl's new writers.

(Of course, that doesn't mean anything. Carl will let anyone write for him :) )

--Rich

No Offence taken
 

Garth don't worry I know how you feel. I have seen guys wear watches on the field and spend more time looking at it (along with looking at his counter) than umpiring the game. One guy even called time in the middle of a play to announce that curfew had elasped(home team leading and at-bat).

Although I didn't join in with the posts, I too assumed I was reading about traditional necklaces/jewelry. I admit, I thought " what a knucklehead ". I will apologize for thinking without thinking. Medical alert jewelry is an issue, as an official, I must deal with and should certainly have considered. My apologies to you.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Honigs
 

Why do I have to tell everybody that I wear Medical necklace? I agree that jewelry should not adorn an offical while he is working. I wear a black sports watch. Most of the schools we have in our chapter do not have lights and due to saftey reason we must know when the sun sets and set a time limit on the game. Have a good evening!

Billy Houston

necklace and accessories
 

I am touched by all the apologies for necklaces...

Seriously, when I was jumping out of airplanes for a living, and more recently dodging pissed off Iraqis, my dog tags were on worn secured to my belt loop with a half-hitch in my right front pocket. In addition, one tag went into the laces of my left boot.

Have you ever thought about wearing your necklace on your belt loop? I was taught it was a safety issue.

Just my $.02.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Honigs
 

I don't live in a state with a lot of time limits anymore, but when I did the watch was in my back pocket or in the ballbag. I think a watch looks horrible on an umpire's wrist, but I recognize this is a regional thing.

If I am wearing a jacket or long sleeves, I don't take my watch off. If in short sleeves, where it can be seen I do. Tomorrow, I expect to work my 2nd game of the year in short sleeves. Supposed to be in the mid-70's.

I have had the west vest and now i wear the all american. It is the best protector i've used. I have been hit at 90+ with both and haven't been hurt yet. For the money the all american is the best one i have found.
Clint Lawson
Carolina League

Just a word on the pro nine protector,I have one and it does a excellent job and I use it from everything from little kids ball up through Fed and Legion baseball. It has taken quite a few shots and has performed quite well.

CP choices..
 

I have a Honigs K1 and I love it for the lightness of it.... However I do not wear it for HS varsity or above....I have a BB2000 that I use for higher baseball. I have taken shots with both and prefer the hard shell protection for big boy baseball...

The only complaint I have about the BB2000 is the heat retention and I am going to use a partners Platinum this summer to test it out. My partner is out of baseball this season due to a knee replacement....I will be deciding whether to purchase the Platinum or save another season and get a Carlucci...

So to advice, if you can, gather a few chapter mates and see if you can swap CP'S a few games to see which is better for you.....

Stan

I've tried about every thing I can think of to keep time on timed games. I've tried wearing watches but they look tacky and get busted when I catch a passed ball on the wrist. I tried bringing a stopwatch and hanging it on the outside of the fence but I kept forgetting them after the game. I tried carrying watches in my front pockets but they get broke there too. As a last resort I stuck a stopwatch in my back pocket but everyone thought I was violating the zero tolerence rule on tobacco by having a can in my backpocket. I've finally decided to have the home score/bookkeeper keep the official time. I just tell the coaches @ the plate meeting that home book has the time. End of problem. :)

big,

when i used to work the local little league while i was starting out, we always asked the home coach to write the time down in the book. when i was 15, i didnt even have a watch so i wasnt keeping track of anything.

i havent worked a time-limited game in a pretty long time, but i would think its alright to just put that in the book.

i just got a cooper ump1000 last week to compliment my west vest platinum. I'll be honest and say it is a flat out better chest protector. I have had a pluspos protector as well, but it was always too bulky. The west vest is good, but it is hot and heavier. the cooper is truly an amazing product, lightweight with hardplate protection....just my two cents

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!