You know you have too much . . .
 

. . . gear, when you go to clean a hall closet and as you take out a hanger with a winter coat on it and it feels heavy:

When you remove the coat you find two band new (unhemmed) pair of Honigs's Charcoal gray pants. One pair is a plate pant and the other a base pant and you have no memory of buying them.

That just adds to my “gear list”.

Regards,

Tim,

I can use a pair.. What size, how much?

I am going to add my charcoal gray pants to the "Idle Equipment" closet as I just found out that CT is not going to approve the use of these pants for 2009!

How dare you leave Poly-Wools laying around when others have to save up to buy them!

ah yes...finding unused gear. good times!

Tim_C
 

Tim_C

Would you care to post your umpire equipment list again so us z-ballers can see what we really need? Seems like you would need an 18 wheeler called "Umpires-R-Us" to haul it in. However, I believe your list did not include a couple of clothes-pins to keep the creases in your hats. Was this an oversight?

tballump

Tim C.

Equipment List ...please.

My name is Kevin, and I am an equipment junkie. And I need to know that there is someone who is worse than me.

Please post the list.

In baseball umpire circles this is called "Serendipity". :D

JJ

Here ya go:
 

1 Gerry Davis Fiber Case
1 Wilson MLB Rolling Case
1 Carlucci Garment Bag
1 NIKE Carry Bag (W/shoe care kits, Bag of shoestrings, bandaids, shin guard clips, pliers, scissors, etc.)

3 West Vest Masks (1 navy, 1 black and 1 royal blue) Each in own bag
1 Carlucci Chest Protector (Royal Blue)
1 Original West Vest Chest Protector (back-up)
1 Pair of Carlucci Leg Guards (Royal Blue)
1 Pair of NIKE Low Top Plate Shoes (in carry bags w/shoe trees)
1 Pair of Mizuno Base Shoes (in carry bags w/shoe trees)
1 Pair of Spotbuilt Combo Plate/Base Shoes (in carry bags w/shoe trees)
6 Pair of Davis Ultimate Sox
6 Pair of Black Socks
2 Cap Carriers
6 Hats (3 Black & 3 Navy -- 2 with combo bill, 2 with seven stitch bill)
4 Pair of McDavid Undergarments (all gray 2 bicycle length 2 full length)
3 Protective Cups (one banana for the plate - two regular cups)
2 Black Belts
2 Rubber (hold-in-place) belts
2 Honigs Plate Pants Heather Grey
2 Honigs Base Pants Heather Grey
3 Honigs Plate Pants Charcoal
3 Honigs Base Pants Charcoal
2 McDavid Short Sleeve Undershirts Crème
2 McDavid Short Sleeve Undershirts Black
4 McDavid Short Sleeve Undershirts Navy
4 McDavid Short Sleeve Undershirts Red
2 McDavid Long Sleeve Undershirts Navy
2 McDavid Long Sleeve Undershirts Red
1 Long Sleeved Turtle Neck - Navy
1 Long Sleeved Turtle Neck - Red
2 Honig's Plate Shirts Navy
2 Honig's Plate Shirts Crème
2 Honig's Plate Shirts Black
2 Honig's Plate Shirts Light Blue
2 Honig's Base Shirts Navy
2 Honig's Base Shirts Light blue
2 Honig's Base Shirts Crème
1 Honig's Base Shirts Black
1 Mizuno Gray windbreaker undergarment
1 Feecheimer Navy Plate Coat
1 Feecheimer Black Plate Coat
1 Butwing Navy Base Pullover
1 Logo Athletic Navy Pull Over
1 Hongis's Black (w/white piping) Base Pull Over
1 Honigs Black Pullover Short Sleeve
1 Honigs Navy Pullover Short Sleeve
8 Stainless Steel Indicators (4 ball - 3 Strike)
6 Wood Handled Plate Brushes
2 Pair +POS Cold Weather Gloves
12 Sharpies (Fine Point) 6 Red and 6 Black
1 Pair Bolle Sunglasses (interchangable lenses)
6 Pair of contact Lenses (w/solutions etc.)
1 Hongis Dry Erase Board (w/ markers)
1 Timepiece ( hangs from belt loop under ball bag)
1 Directors Chair
1 Foot Carpet
1 Pair of NIKE Flip Flops
2 Shoe Horns
1 Set of Federation Rule books, Case Books, etc
1 OBR Rule Book
1 OAOA Umpire Manual for a Two Umpire Crew

BTW, I have never creased my hats nor will I EVER.

This is just SICK!

Regards,

Sick is an understatement!! What color is your foot carpet?

LOL

You are worse than me!
:D

You have three of the stuff you need two of and two of the stuff you need one of.

And how many times do you expect your plate brush to malfunction?

Man, that is a collection to die for.

How the heck do you fit all that in a Yugo??

Tim, I suspect your closet is better stocked than some on-line suppliers.

He believe it or not brings ALL of that stuff to EVERY game. Why? I don't know... but it's true!

Tim_C

Are the plate brushes those fat handled ones they make now, or are some of them the old contoured small handle brushes made by SOS? in the old days. Also, do you have suspenders sewn in at the bottom of your shirt to help keep your shirt-tail in, or do you just use the rubber hold in place belts. Thanks again for the list. I'm sure everyone can see what they will own in the future if they keep umpiring.

You can't put it any better than that. It's so true. A real junkie never sells or gives away or discards the stuff he has left when he upgrades. He also never stops upgrading. I absolutely love gearing up and I feel I must look and be as sharp and well-equipped as possible when I go out there. So it takes a helluva lot of gear and uniforms.

Tim-

You seem to have omitted the kitchen sink from your list.

I noticed, NO RED SHIRTS!
:D

:D

Nor are there any on this list:
(It was fun [getting my wife to] compile this)

DIAMOND DELUXE WHEELED GEAR BAG
New Balance 450 Plate Shoes (13 D)
New Balance 450 Plate Shoes (13 EE)
New Balance 350 Base Shoes (13 D)
New Balance 350 Base Shoes (13 EE)
Wilson Platinum Hard-shell Chest Protector
Wilson Gold Triple Knee Leg Guards
Wilson Titanium Mask with Two-tone Pads
Wilson Chrome Moliben Low-profile Doeskin Mask
Wilson Throat Protector(s)
Wilson Shock FX Helmet Mask
Wilson Shock FX Throat Protector
Wilson Spare Leather Mask Pads & Harnesses(2)
Padded Mask Bags (3)
Shock Doctor Carbon Steel Protective Cup
Bike Protective Flex Cup
Honig's Professional Navy Ball Bag(s) (2)
Gerry Davis Professional Black Ball Bag(s) (2)
Honig's Wood Plate Brush
Markwort Wood Plate Brush
Wellspring Metal Game Card Holder & Pen
Markwort Stopwatch
Markwort Stainless Steel Ball/Strike Indicator
Diamond Stainless Steel Ball/Strike Indicator
Rawlings Plastic Ball/Strike Indicator
Honig's Shoe Bag(s) (4)
Everlast Back Brace
McDavid Ankle Brace
McDavid Elastic Knee Brace(s)
McDavid Deluxe Hinged Knee Brace
McDavid Thigh Wrap(s)
Cap Keeper(s) (3)
Richardson Navy Combo Cap (4-stitch, 2-inch bill)
Richardson Navy Short Base Cap (6-stitch, 2 1/2 inch bill)
New Era Navy Long Base Cap (8-stitch, 2 3/4 inch bill)
Richardson Black Combo Cap (2)
New Era Black Short Base Cap
New Era Black Long Base Cap (2)
Honig's Black w/polo blue Pullover Jacket
Honig's Black w/white Pullover Jacket (large for bases)
Honig's Black w/white Pullover Jacket (X-large for plate)
Dalco Navy w/scarlet Pullover Jacket*
McDavid Scarlet Crew Sleeveless Compression Shirt
McDavid Scarlet Crew Short-sleeve Compression Shirt (2)
McDavid Scarlet Crew Long-sleeve Compression Shirt
Nike Golf Scarlet Mock Compression T-shirt
McDavid Navy Crew Short-sleeve Compression Shirt (2)
Nike Golf Navy Mock Compression T-shirt
McDavid Navy Mock Loosewear Heat Gear T-shirt
McDavid Navy Mock Long-sleeve Compression Shirt
McDavid Black Crew Short-sleeve Compression Shirt (2)
Adidas Black Crew Long-sleeve Compression Shirt
Adidas Black Mock Long-sleeve Cold Gear Compression Shirt(2)
Adidas Black Mock Compression T-shirt
McDavid Black Mock Loosewear Heat Gear T-shirt
Layer 8 White Crew Sleeveless Compression Shirt
Layer 8 White Crew Short-sleeve Compression Shirt (3)
Nike Golf White Mock Short-sleeve Compression Shirt (2)
Adidas White Mock Long-sleeve Compression Shirt
McDavid Ankle-length Compression Pants(2)
UnderArmour Thigh-length Compression Shorts
Boston Official 1 1/2 inch Leather Umpire Belt
Boston Official 1 3/4 inch High-gloss Leather Umpire Belt
Ump Attire Inside Rubber Belt
UnderArmour Thin Black Socks(3) (Bases)
Reebok Thin Black Socks(2) (Bases)
High Sierra Thick Black Boot Socks(4)(Plate)
HONIG'S PERSONAL TRAVEL KIT(which also fits in the Diamond wheeled bag)
(Hanging in the back of the car)
Honig's Extra Large Navy Shirt (2) *
Official's Choice Extra Large Navy Shirt
Official's Choice Large Navy Shirt *
Official's Choice Extra Large Long-sleeve Navy Shirt
Official's Choice Large Long-sleeve Navy Shirt
Official's Choice Extra Large Light Blue Shirt (H.S.)*
Official's Choice Large Light Blue Shirt (H.S.)*
Honig's Extra Large Polo Blue Shirt (MLB)
Honig's Large Polo Blue Shirt (MLB)
Honig's Extra Large Black Shirt(2)
Official's Choice Extra Large Black Shirt*(2)
Official's Choice Large Black Shirt*
Official's Choice Extra Large Long-sleeve Black Shirt*
Cliff Keen Large Long-sleeve Black Shirt
Gerry Davis Extra Large Cream Shirt*
Gerry Davis Large Cream Shirt
Official's Choice Extra Large Grey Shirt
Official's Choice Large Grey Shirt
Official's Choice Extra Large White Shirt (with black collar)
Official's Choice Large White Shirt (with black collar)
Gerry Davis Charcoal Grey Pleated Plate Slacks
Gerry Davis Charcoal Grey Pleated Combo Slacks
Honig's Medium Grey Premium Combo Slacks
Honig's Medium Grey Polywool Base Slacks
HONIG'S FIELD TOTE
First Aid Kit
Rubbing Mud & Towels
IN THE CAR:
HONIG'S ATTACHE CASE
iPod
Spare Pens & Sharpies
Rule Books & Manuals
Misc. info
GENERAL SUPPLIES
SUPPLY BUCKET w/SEATCOVER & ORGANIZER
Cleaning Supplies
Shoehorns
Shoelaces(4)
Shoe Care Kit (Shoe brush, buffing sponge, cream polish)
Hand-held Steamer/Iron
Car AC Adapter
ALSO IN THE CAR
Thermal Cooler Bag
Ice Mats
Reebok Sandals
Deluxe Compact Folding Chair
Padded Mats
Pop-up Camp Shade


I have discovered a use for every one of these things in my years as an umpire. I can also walk to the house with my Diamond rolling bag, tote, cooler and briefcase in one trip. My uniforms and supply bucket come in another trip. And it all fits easily into the back of a Jeep. As Tim and many others will attest, you can have your whole vast collection in or out of the car in three minutes. Organization is king!

Special Thanks, Tim C., this was fun compiling this. It will also be fun aspiring to match your vast collection.

I am just the opposite. I used to buy and buy and buy and I now look at what I need (or want) and make sure I really need (or want) it.

This basketball season I bought 2 shirts. That's it. Oh, and a pack of inflation needles. I have so many whistles, for example, I could work another 30 years and never run out.

Don't want to turn this thread into a product review thread, but I'm looking for a new chest protector for spring. This is my second year and last year I bought a used one from my association which is similar to the Honig's K5C

(Honig's Whistle Stop Online Store - Products)

which is a soft protector, just a little more protection than a catchers vest. I'm looking at either the Wilson Platinum or the Wilson "W" or "WV". The difference in price is approximately 1.5 game fees for me. I'm leaning toward the Platinum, but would like a few opinions. Feel free to send me a private message if you want to keep it out of the thread. Thanks!

Edit: I did mostly 14 y/o and under last year, but am looking to get more JV games this year (next year a few varsity, etc). And while my current vest did a decent job, even in a few 14U games I took some solid shots to it and definitely felt it.

I am 6' even and about 205-210, and the Platinum covers beautifully. I have heard the same from guys as small as 175, and as large as 250. And if you do H.S. varsity and below, you will never feel a thing with this vest. It really protects. Make sure you wear a wicking undershirt, because it is not cool, but otherwise, it's very comfortable.

The original one that Wilson still offers has the arm protection like the Honig's, and it runs about $50-60.00 less than the Platinum:

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...a3217-zoom.jpg

But the new Platinum is worth every penny. It's the best one I've worn out of two Wilsons, a Diamond and a Honig's

I have the MLU and have had it for 5 yrs. Best protector at the price that it is. (usually around 80)

I have a rebuilt shoulder, so I don't care what the price is, but for those who do ...

You
 

won't be disappointed with the WV. Bought mine two years ago (or so) after a season when I had several foul shots glance off the top of my shoulder.

For me, the WV was an excellent investment. After several shots each year after the purchase, I have yet to feel a painful shot under this vest.

FWIW.

Just wondering...

What REALLY is the difference between the original WV, gold, and platinum?

From the looks of things, it seems like they would all protect equally as well...

The Platinum is definitely better at covering the area just below the throat, and has a pad that goes out and meets the bottom of your mask. The Gold is a beefy thing too, but it has a open space there. The Platinum also has an extra plate on the shoulder cap, which I think covers the shoulders better. The Gold has the one larger cap.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g2...arkguy/CPs.jpg

L Gold; R Platinum

Kevin,
I noticed you have shirts from Official's Choice. Have your buttons on the light blue turned color, like a mix of blue and purple? It's probably not obvious from afar, but I've noticed my buttons don't really match the shirt anymore.

Wow, you're right. They're beige.

I'm glad I never wear powder blue anymore unless I fail to talk my partner out of wearing it.

Yep, I have a small discoloration on my navy blue shirt buttons as well, but not as bad. I really like them because of being lightweight, but the quality isn't that great.

Truthfully, the only reason that I turned to that company is that you can get a boatload of shirts for just a few bucks, and some backups for the ones that you use the most. But they have problems like you describe, and then there's this problem with the actual shirt color on the cream shirts. Theirs are this awful dull gold color, with extra wide collar trim piping. They're making the same mistake on the collar trim on their black shirts. They're making it thick, so now they don't match your partners who wear the standard black shirts. So you can't get black or cream shirts from them, which hurts. I got a few of the other blacks before they changed it, but now for black and cream, I have to go Honig's or CK at twice the price.

I like the larger buttons on the Honigs shirts too.

Until today, I never obsessed about the buttons on my uniform shirts. Now I'll never stop.

I own the Gold and have worn the Platinum. If worn correctly, the gold protects the clavicle just fine and there is no need to worry.

One of the major differences I've found is the Gold has much thicker padding behind the plastic.

Both are absolutely top quality and it ends up being a matter of personal preference.

You can get a complete review of the Platinum here.

And a complete review of the Gold here.

You really are a junkie although some of this I would not count. For example, I never go anywhere with pants on without chapstick in my pants pocket.

And where do you put the chapstick when you don't have pants on?

good one! :D

OK, OK, I'll go back and cut out some of the supplies.

For all the equipment junkies. New balance has the 450 for $87.99 and free shipping. I think it said till Dec. 12th but I'm not sure. Anyway, last month was the same price but shipping was not free. Good luck.

Damn! I already have two pairs, and can't justify a third. That's a great price, too. This is a gear junkie dilemma: should I buy something I already have tow of just because the price is terrific, or should I pass. Being a gear junkie is not fun at times.

Equipment Bags
 

Do any of your equipment bags hold your chest protector? Or do you have a separate bag for it or carry it separately?

kind of...i put it over the top of my shins. i have the diamond bag

Platinum lays down on the bottom with the shoulders folded up one side, and the leg guards go along the other edge with the plate shoes, mask and HSM in between.

It all fits in the bottom half of the Diamond bag, which I also swear by.

Wow, I wish I could get away with that.:D

I just ordered the West Vest Platinum and a pair of NB 350 base shoes from ump-attire, just over $200 shipped.

Excellent job! You'll love them both. The 350s are very light, have nice cushioning, and look nice and shiny with a little hair spray.

I swear; just spray the NBs with water or some mild solution like Murphy's Oil Soap & water, wipe them off with a towel, and spray them generously with Dove extra hold pump spray. They look beautiful and it could not be easier or more economical.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y19...dreams/300.jpg

I'll have to look into that. I got them Monday, but haven't touched them since I'm studying for final exams. Do you use Leather Luster on them at all? or just murphy's oil?

The Murphy's cleans well, as does scrubbing bubbles. But the hair spray makes them shine more than the original low-maintenance finish.

I found most hair sprays too sticky. I use Armor All Extra Shine. Works wonders!

Dove extra hold pump is not "most" hair sprays.

If you say so. :rolleyes:

my .02
 

I avoid using armor all....as it seems to almost attract and hold dust and dirt.....

I've never had that problem myself. In fact, I've found that the extra shine version of Armour All tends to have a slick sheen to it, thereby preventing dust to adhere as much as it normally would; at least, that has been my experience with it.

My experience with Armour All is that it costs about $7.00 for a bottle of the stuff, and you can take about two cents' worth of Murphy's and make a whole bottle of stuff that will make the shoes clean and shiny. Most of the time I can get a $7.00 solution for two cents, I'm going to take it.

That's the same brand former Cowboy's coach Jimmy Johnson uses !!! :D

And look at that shine!

http://images.dawgsports.com/images/...on_closeup.jpg

Now, don't you want your shoes sporting a finish like that? I know I do.

Anyone have problems with the New Balance 350, D-width? I just tried mine on the first time, and they're pretty tight on the side. Probably going to have to get the EE size instead.

No, but I have a D size feet. If you have EE feet you should get EE shoes. If you have D feet you should wear thinner socks until they break in. I also buy my NB shoes a half size larger to compensate for thick socks but that hasn't affected width.

Leather Luster is goopy junk that was used to make shoes look like patent leather. The GD shoes put a stake through the heart of that stuff. Plus, it looks like a snake shedding it's skin after a while. There's no need for that anymore.

Hair spray on your leather shoes? Please. Use a good leather conditioner after you clean them. I use Meguiars. Hair spray will build up, and crack the hide. Don't do it.

If you're that goofy about your shoes having a mirrored shine for the first half inning, get the GD slippers. Me, I got over that a while ago. Sharp, yes. Glitzy, no. I've retired my patent leather belts too. No more bling for me.

While I never have cared what my shoes looked like after the first half inning, I do care what they look like at the pregame, and when I walk on the field. The shinier the better. Belt too!

Thick, patent leather high gloss belt behind the plate, thin, regular leather on the bases. Clean, shiny shoes at the pre-game.

New Balance has a semi-gloss pebble finish on the plate shoes, and the hair spray makes them a little more glossy. It is cleaned off every time you saddle soap them clean, or use Murphy's. So there's no build-up. It doesn't stay on hair when you wash it, why would it stay on shoes?

~Sigh~
 

As I have commented hundreds of times before:

I wouldn't get caught dead wearing patent leather anything.

I shine my shoes and wear a belt that shows little to no wear . . . patent leather is for little girl shoes.

Of course this is just an opinion.

Regards,

Patent leather belts are the only way to go.

OK guys, disregard my last post. I just had to relace them a little looser than what they were like when I got them. Now they feel great.

I was totally in agreement with the little-girls'-shoes impression when it came to patent leather shoes. I actually reveled in cleaning and shining pair after pair of standard leather shoes until I got the semi-gloss NB 450s and 350s. And I never even considered a patent leather belt. Then came my first four-man game and everybody had to wear a patent leather belt. One guy had two sizes, and lent me one. I now wear a patent leather belt behind the plate in the bigger games. I don't even know why... just to switch up I guess. It's a sharp look---especially at night.

Kevin

As I just posted under the New Balance post---those new NB 995 base shoes without all the white are now available for $69.99 and ships free (standard) till tomorrow at 4pm. They have them in 4E width if needed. How about checking them out (come on, you know you want a pair) and see if they fit true to size or whether you need a half size to full size bigger like most people suggest on the plate shoe. Did the old 350's run true to size?

Thanks, T !

The 350s are true-to-size, and I am a little wider than a D and a little narrower than the EE, so I get the EE and wear thick socks. I have Ds as a back-up, and they're almost just right with thin socks.

And I'll get back to you when I receive my new mid-cut 995s that we both know I have to try, because both pairs of my current base shoes are low cuts. :)