Custom Sized Hand Made chest Protector (Photo Gallery)

[Pensaump]

I thought I would share a project I have been recently working on with you guys. I had started a thread at umpire.org, but it seems right now that forum has a bug when you change the time zone setting in your profile. Plus you can insert pictures directly over here which I like.

Anyways,

I’ve owned nearly every chest protector model available. I’m a little over 6 feet tall and have a wide shoulder frame. I have owned, bought and re-sold K1’s, Gold, Platinum’s, Wilson, Champions, All Star’s, Diamonds and etc. I could never find the perfect chest protector that suited all of my desires. The last several games of last season and still the few I pick up here and there I have been using one of the coveted Riddell Power’s which is on lone with a lot of love from my umpiring mentor and great friend.

The things I like about the West Vest’s are their superior protection. The Honigs K-1 always seemed to fit me the best, but it sacrificed protection to some degree compared with hard shell plastic. Along with the West Vest’s and Honigs alike however the thicker padding combined with the nylon covering is just a sponge for sweat and down here in the South East it’s like wearing a blanket while jogging. God forbid you put your chest protector in your gear bag after a hot game causing a biology experiment in your (sealed) gear bag.

Back to the Riddell Power, I love the way it fits on me. The thin “low profile” padding combined with plastic that is not overly bulky like the West Vest’s is a great combo. It fits me well and does not make me look like the terminator or Brian Urlacker behind the dish. However, once again the nylon padding on the Power’s just soak up the sweet and have to hang dry. Not to mention higher maintenance to keep the condition of an already older chest protector up. So I cannot give the Power my full marks.

So what do you do when all else fails? Simply, call Mr. Cece Carlucci. So I called him about 3 months ago and spent 2 hours with the Italian American craftsman. The conversation was legendary and just like I’ve read on the internet before I’ll quote, “you don’t talk with Cece… you listen.” Stories about the AAA pacific coast league, John McSherry, Ted Barret and all the other umpires he has made custom gear for was priceless. After being assaulted with questions to prove my worthiness of even talking to him we sized my measurements up over the phone. I also learned of his pulmonary condition from which he was just released from the hospital a couple days prior to my phone call. For grins and giggles, I am of similar measurement to Ted Barret, although he is taller than me.

I know three fellow umpires that have a Carlucci vest and all three love their Carlucci. The newest of the three is about 7-8 years old and cost this particular umpire I believe about $275-$300 8 years ago. The price Cece quoted me was $425 + $25 shipping for your standard Carlucci vest. Combined with the price and his dwindling condition I decided to unfortunately pass on a chest protector (regretfully now). But then I also decided that for $450 I would have a go at making my own chest protector.

Please post comments and criticism, I'm all ears!

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