new plate shoes?????????
 

which would you guys suggest for a first timer in buying plate shoes? and yes i wear two ball bag because of state rules. and could anybody tell me about this gery davis stance? please let me know if you use it are you dont think it is any better than any of the other stances.:confused:

Yes, I wear two ball bags because I want to wear two bags (My reasons are not necessary here.) but what state do you live in and why does it require two ball bags?

MTD, Sr.

Plate shoes: Tanel360's www.tanel360.com They are very light weight and look good.

In regards to the plate stance: i reccommend starting with the regular box stance, then later going to the gerry davis stance which is a more "advanced" technique.

Alabama, the state that mandates two ball bags, certain brands of pants and shirts, hats underneath a HSM, and only allows navy blue shirts. :rolleyes:

very good umpduck must know the state very well to know that.:D

Know it ? Hell, I have to live here............... :eek:

thanks for the heads up on tanel360 just got my shoes today. they wore good, i got the special they got that was the best deal two pairs of shoes and sunglasses and a hat. for less that two hundred dollars.again thanks.

I just bought a pair of Lehigh Metatarsal oxfords, that look just like umpire plate shoes. I'll give a report when they get here, but for 28 bucks brand new, I could afford to take a chance.

reebok plate shoes are really really comfortable! they're also the same ones the MLB guys wear. I used to have to wear two pairs of socks with my old pair and still get a numb big toe afterwards but with these reeboks, I can wear just one pair of socks and have yet to get a numb toe afterwards. For $90, can't go wrong. Only downside is the big white reebok logo on the sides but a sharpie can take care of that.

You do realize that they make the all black version now, right? A Sharpie on that big of a logo will look awful by the way.

Hats under HSM, Gracey? What are they, on dope! :eek:

2 ball bags - no problem, I also wear 2.
Navy only - that's the State's prerogative.
Hats under HSM - kiss my posterior!

Sorry, Umpduck, but your State is run by morons and the only thing worse than that are people that follow such dumb mandates! I hope you all wear masks! :eek:

After 25 years of sore legs and backs each season and two knee operations, my recommendation is to go with the Gerry Davis stance NOW. Learn it well and stay with it until you retire. Forget all the crap about what looks good or pretty or advanced. Not only is it better for your body but, you see more zone and can call more srikes. In 2-3 years it will be the No.1 recommended stance. Period.

I just bought a new pair of patent leather low plates shoes and hope they last the 10 years I got out of the first pair. $115.00, looks sharp and easy to keep clean.

Two ball bags are cool.

Hat under your HSM? :eek::eek::eek:

Forget the sharpie - finger nail polish remover works wonders. You only have to do it once, then cover it with a little shoe die and polish. After that just polish as normal with black and don't think about the white again. But they are making the Reebok in all black for 2010 - which will be my next purchase.

I used the GD stance. I love it. Your body supports itself. Your legs don't hurt after a game, your back is saved etc etc - not to mention the view of the plate when done correctly. I will admit that I may not be 100% correct in my interpretation/use of it. But so far it's my choice for having energy at the end of the game and being able to walk the next day!!

Back to the shoes - everyone I know that has the New Balance loves them.

Oz, since I first posted that in 2007, the State has since changed the rule. We may now wear a HSM without a hat underneath. I only wear a conventional mask, and I don't think anyone else in our association wears a HSM, either.

Good advice ... until you got to the end there.

First of all, if it matters to your particular association, they're available in an all-black version. Secondly, a sharpie most certainly cannot take care of that. It would positively ruin the shoes, and/or look as amateurish as hell. Get the Reeboks, but if an all-black shoe is required, get that model, and don't rely on doctoring their white logos.

Alabama is about 7 years behind the rest of the states so give us a couple of years and we will catch up with the rest of you.....

States have no prerogative in telling independent contractors what to wear. They may choose not to hire you for their state tournament if you don't comply, if that's important to you.

You got the last part spot on.

Not sure
 

Publius:

While I respect you greatly (and of course recognize your moniker from a very important person in this country's history) I think you might have this backwards.

Any NFHS state association has every right to tell umpires what to wear, what mechanics to use and what rules to call.

As an independent contractor an umpire has the preogative to work under those rules or select to not work the games.

While I do not agree with Brewer's rules and regulations that are in effect in Alabama they simply are "the rules."

T

I've heard that plate shoes tend to run a bit on the big side... is that true?

I'm a new baseball umpire, and I'm in the process of figuring out what gear I need to buy, and so far finding plate shoes in my size (15) has been a struggle. If they're built a bit big, maybe I can get away with 14s.

My experience has been just the opposite, by a half size or more.

I just bought a new pair of 11's for my size 11 feet. Not sure who told you that.

Just in case one of us are wrong, try them on first!

Depends on the specific shoe.

New Balance Plate Shoes
 

These only go to size 14 and were too short for my size 15 boats. Gonna give the Honig's low cuts a try. Good luck!

I had to order a half-size up for my New Balance plate shoes.

Me, too.

Ump-attire recommends it for the NB, so that's what I did.

SCO,

Ah, I have a pair of NB plate shoes in size 15 4E. If no vendor has them contact NB directly, I think they can still make them.

For what it's worth, I was able to try on some size 14 New Balanace Plate shoes when I bought all my gear at the local sporting goods store. They were a bit sung, so they said they'd order a pair of size 15s for me.

Hopefully they'll fit.