plate shoes

[tjones1]

Originally Posted by MichaelVA2000

A lot of the MLB umpires have gone to the New Balance 450 plate and 350 base shoes. I wear both and find them very comfortable.

Same here and I completely agree.

[Klokard]

There is only on down side to the NB 450 plate shoe (beside the silver N) and that is the laces they come with. I have yet to talk to someone who hasn't broken them within the first few times of wearing them. I found the heavy waxed cord style that is sold by any RedWing shoe store is a great replacement lace.

[swkansasref33]

Originally Posted by mrm21711

An experienced poster indicated the Reebok shoes will be available for the 09 season. He indicated the shoes available to the general public would not be a steel toe shoe, but a "hard toe" like the much criticized Spot-Bilt plate shoes. Apparently, the current plate shoes the MLB guys are wearing are steel toe.

As an aside - does anybody know if the current Reebok base shoes worn by most MLB guys are available for sale anywhere? I cant seem to find them.

are these what your are lookin for?
http://refereescall.com/proddetail.php?prod=SH23&cat=19

[mrm21711]

Originally Posted by Klokard

There is only on down side to the NB 450 plate shoe (beside the silver N) and that is the laces they come with. I have yet to talk to someone who hasn't broken them within the first few times of wearing them. I found the heavy waxed cord style that is sold by any RedWing shoe store is a great replacement lace.

Ive never had a durability problem with the New Balance shoes but I can tell they arent nearly as durable as the old Plus Pos plate shoes. Ill probably only get three years MAX out of my 450s.

[JR12]

Originally Posted by mrm21711

Ive never had a durability problem with the New Balance shoes but I can tell they arent nearly as durable as the old Plus Pos plate shoes. Ill probably only get three years MAX out of my 450s.

Those old +pos would last forever!!!

[kylejt]

I'll concur with the durability. My +POS shoes are like the Volvo of plate shoes. Utilitarian, and hard to kill.

The 450's are like my Escalade. It may not last as long as my wife's Volvo, but it's a whole lot nicer while it does. My +POS have stayed in the closet next to my GD patent leathers all season, they're that nice.

[LomUmp]

Hey all,

I managed to get a pair of the +POS low top plate shoes not long before they went under. Not too bad on comfort (for what they are), and outstanding protection.

LomUmp

[L.A. Umpire Guy]

Originally Posted by Klokard

Please don't take this as gospel but I doubt the MLB guys are wearing a convertible shoe. Why would they want the added weight of a steel toe while on the bases? Even if they can remove the instep and metatarsal protection plate, they would still be heavy and uncomfortable I do see alot of them have gone to the Reebok plate shoe that is not available to the public yet. Just like the Nike titanium mask. They want the fever to buy real high so when they are released they can charge an arm and a leg for them. Again, just my dos pesos.

Well, you were right. I'm $300 lighter from the mask and shoes.