Spotbilt plate shoe?
 

Someone on ebay selling many for $45 starting bid.
Spotbilt U57 Mid-Cut Umpire Plate Shoes
http://search.ebay.com/umpire_W0QQfromZR40QQfrtsZ250

Any comments on quality or wear of shoe?

Years ago I gave Spotbilt base and plate shoes a try. Neither held up very well.

Their plate shoes have a plastic toe, not steel. No thanks.

I've used a pair for at least 6 seasons (40 to 50 plate games per season) of high school, Babe Ruth, and Legion baseball and they have held up well. The leather is in good shape and still polishes nicely. The soles are not worn out either. The lining is beginning to show wear but there are not holes. I don't know what model they are but they look just like the ones in the ebay link. I haven't taken a lot of hard shots off the toe but the protection was adequate for the few I did take.

The rap on Spotbilt is that they're cheap. Not inexpensive. Cheap.

I had a pair of the plate shoes for a few years and didnt really care for them. I worked a lot and feel they held up reasonably well, but I wouldnt recommend them to anybody, especially considering they are just as expensive as the NB 450s and other comprable shoes. The thermoplastic toe and overall comfort of them turned me off the most.

Never had anything other than a pair of low cut spotbilt, so I can't compare to anything else.

The only I problem I have had is the laces have lost their outer weaving and needed replacing after 3 seasons. Other than that, no problems.

Like I said, my info is pretty invaluable, never worn anything else.

Will probably try something else in a couple of seasons.

Save up a little more and buy a pair of New Balance shoes. Just as ugly, but waaaaaay more comfortable.

Spot-Built plate shoes are just fine until you get hit in the toe. That's why they suck as plate shoes, because the toe is the part that needs STEEL IN IT!!!

Agreed. They were comfortable to me when I wore them, right up until I took a shot on the toe. Oh, and it's nice to see you posting again, Steve!


Tim.

According to Jim Kirk Spot-Built is going out of business... Check out his Blog here.

I own those EXACT shoes. I got them at the beginning of last season. They're very light, comfortable, and clean up nicely. But I got hit in the toe and was sidelined for 2 weeks! :mad:

In short, they are garbage.... plastic toe is useless, you might as well wear Birkenstock Sandals!

Don't know what everyone is talking about. I'm no expert on plate shoes, but the only pair I have are Spotbilts. I have the patent leather version. They have held up and they have a steel toe not plastic.

joelope

They are fine in comfort and last just fine.

They dont have a steel toe.

This has gotten me pretty good a few times with them.

Where and when did you purchase these shoes? I got mine from Honigs Feb '07.