which CP should I buy

[LomUmp]

Originally Posted by uxley11

so the pro nine I guess is a good CP. For $60 on Ebay I think it looks like a good CP to do U12 in. Would I be correct in saying that?

Hey all,

For the same cost, you are MUCH better off with this one...

http://www.smitteez.com/index.php?cr...on=show_detail

LomUmp

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by LomUmp

Hey all,

For the same cost, you are MUCH better off with this one...

http://www.smitteez.com/index.php?cr...on=show_detail

LomUmp

You mean this one?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by GarthB

You mean this one?

I think it would be just as good to buy one of those ugly *** umpire shirts with the stripes on the shoulders. I mean, those shirts are so ugly even a baseball would avoid hitting it.

[UmpireBob]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

I think it would be just as good to buy one of those ugly *** umpire shirts with the stripes on the shoulders. I mean, those shirts are so ugly even a baseball would avoid hitting it.

Hey Rich (and understand, I'm writing this with my tongue firmly planted in my cheek), you mean the shirts that look like the jackets with the shoulder inserts in them, which I seem to notice that MOST umpires seem to be sporting these days?

And, who cares how ugly the CP is....aren't we wearing them UNDER our shirts? Just curious.

(takes tongue out from cheek)

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by UmpireBob

Hey Rich (and understand, I'm writing this with my tongue firmly planted in my cheek), you mean the shirts that look like the jackets with the shoulder inserts in them, which I seem to notice that MOST umpires seem to be sporting these days?



(takes tongue out from cheek)

No, he means the shirts that have shoulder trim, collar trim and sleeve trim, unlike the jackets which, just have the shoulder trim.

[uxley11]

Originally Posted by LomUmp

Hey all,

For the same cost, you are MUCH better off with this one...

http://www.smitteez.com/index.php?cr...on=show_detail

LomUmp

I could be wrong, but isnt that just as bulky as the WV Gold? I am looking for something very, very light that I can take a pitch that goes no more than 65.

[LomUmp]

Originally Posted by uxley11

I could be wrong, but isnt that just as bulky as the WV Gold? I am looking for something very, very light that I can take a pitch that goes no more than 65.

Hey all,

All I am saying is that the cp fom Smitties is very close to the V-Sport that I own. I have, and still do own, the Pro-Nine cp you are looking at. The V-Sport is a little hotter to wear than the Pro-Nine, but that is pretty standard for a hard shell. The Champro or Champion version ( I forget which it is) is more comfortable and offers more protection, IMHO, than the Pro-Nine does.

So, to me, better comfort and protection at the same price...I would choose the hard shell over the Pro-Nine EVERY TIME! It is light and not much bulkier than the Pro-Nine.

This is just the opinion of someone who owns both and can tell the difference from experience with each item.

LomUmp

[kylejt]

I'll say it again. Don't buy a cheap chest protector.

Two reasons. First is your safety. Good gear might save you some day. Hey, I know a guy that does adult ball with a thin Cooper softball protector. He's just lucky. I got nailed in a little kids game in a medium weight Diamond, and felt goofy for a week. Your health is not worth it.

Second, when you go to sell a good quality cp, you'll get a good return on eBay. Your real out of pocket expense is minimal (tell your wife I said so). A $150 cp will bring back $100, but a $60 one will only net you $20. A ten buck difference, but you're wearing top 'o the line gear.

Long after the money is spent, you'll never regret buying the best.

p.s. go ahead and buy cheap shinguards. Those $100+ WV's are a waste of dough. Light, vented, CoolMax lined Coopers will put enough cash in your pocket to buy a Platinum.

[RPatrino]

Kyle nailed it!!!

You can go cheap on shinguards and even on your mask (inexpensive usually means 'heavy', but protection wise, they should be ok).

Don't skimp a penny on your chest protector or plate shoes. Cups are generally about $5, so that covers your three most important protective items.

[DG]

Originally Posted by uxley11

I could be wrong, but isnt that just as bulky as the WV Gold? I am looking for something very, very light that I can take a pitch that goes no more than 65.

http://www.baseballjunk.com/umpireequip_cp.htm

See the Cooper CPU23. I have a used one in my attic I will sell you for half of a new one, you pay shipping. Mine is a model 20, and modified, I cut the bottom 4 inches of it off, the part at the bottom in the picture. It is the lightest and coolest chest protector I have ever had, but I have not used it in awhile. It will stop anything but you begin to feel it at levels above JV ball.

[BretMan]

Just what exactly is so magical about the Riddell Power?

Do they offer some unimaginable level of protection? Comfort? Durability?

If you put one on and click your heels are you granted three wishes?

Can they be appreciably better than any of the other hard-shells on the market?

Saw two in use today. The PU's in the Boston/LAA and Cleveland/CWS both had them poking out of their plate coats.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by BretMan

Just what exactly is so magical about the Riddell Power?

They make money disappear.

[canadaump6]

Try the All American Sports one they offer good protection but they do look a bit big.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by BretMan

Just what exactly is so magical about the Riddell Power?

Do they offer some unimaginable level of protection? Comfort? Durability?

If you put one on and click your heels are you granted three wishes?

Can they be appreciably better than any of the other hard-shells on the market?

Saw two in use today. The PU's in the Boston/LAA and Cleveland/CWS both had them poking out of their plate coats.

Tim Timmons was the umpire in the Boston/Los Angeles game, and he looks sharp in his. They really do look good, especially with a plate coat.

I think it is a matter of confidence for one thing. When I would wear my Power I felt pretty invincible back there. Is it any better than other hard shell protectors on the market these days? Probably not, but besides the Douglas West Vest, it was the premier hard shell on the market when it first came out, and was THE sought-after chest protector. And despite Garth's little joke, they only cost $175 when they came out (at least that's what I paid for mine), and folks considered it a bargain.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

And despite Garth's little joke, they only cost $175 when they came out (at least that's what I paid for mine), and folks considered it a bargain.

It's no joke. They're going for $400 now.

When I worked for and ad agency I had a client who bragged he made the most expensive product of it's type in the world. I asked him who he thought his market was. He answered: "People with more money than brains."