Gold vs Platinum - questions on throat/neck protection

[MajorDave]

I wonder why the Gold costs more than the Platinum at most places? Isn't Platinum considered to be more protective?

I have had both the WV Platinum and the WV Gold and the WV Original. I could not get my shirts over the Platinum and My arms were not comfortable so I sent it back without ever using it in a game.

I now have the Gold in the Small-Medium size. I absolutely love it and feel supremely protected in the areas it covers. It is nearly impossible to protect everything on your body but the Gold does a great job for me in all the places that matter. I never feel a thing. (when the ball hits the CP instead of my arms, hands, etc.)

When I had the Original WestVest with the adjustable plates, it worked fine but I had a problem with my stance being too high and I took a pitch directly to the gut that was 87mph. (the catcher sucked and the pitcher had a lot of movement on his pitches) The kid who threw it three years ago signed with the Rangers this past summer for 1.25 million. It was a hand-me-down and it had not been taken care of (i.e. washed) it stunk terribly and washing it and spraying Febreeze did not help. So, I began my quest for the perfect CP. I had Honig's K-1, Diamond iX3, PlusPOS BB 2000 and 2200. Then I tried the Platinum and finally settled on the Gold.

Each one has positive and negative aspects. For me the WV Gold is best at this point in time. In the future-who knows.

Try as many as you can before you buy.

[JimKirk]

Originally Posted by MajorDave

I wonder why the Gold costs more than the Platinum at most places? Isn't Platinum considered to be more protective?

Dave, this is not a great answer but the Gold costs $5 to $10 more wholesale from Wilson. So, obviously, retailers will mark them up accordingly. I see this question from time to time and the answer is the same (e.g. why is there such a difference between the steel and titanium Wilson helmet?).

Regardless, the major difference, I think besides the obvious color difference is Gold's padding is slightly thicker, but as everyone has alluded to and what you always preach is that what's better is often dictated by personal preference, not what anyone else says. For me, the platinum feels better around my neck. The gold feels tight around my big 18 1/2 neck.

I enjoyed reading some of the posts about throwing the ball back to the pitcher. When I umpired years ago, I initially chose to throw the ball back to the pitcher. I had just completed playing college ball and was something I just wanted to do. I certainly felt capable. However, one day, I suppose from not being "warmed up" I threw the ball over the pitcher's head where it eventually rolled to rest in shallow CF. From then on I never threw a baseball to the pitcher again.

Jim Kirk
Owner
www.ump-attire.com