All American Chest Protector

[Kevin Finnerty]

I think this is the one Maz covets:

[Maz17]

That is the one I covet.

A gold or platinum is nice. Great protectors. I am a big build guy and when I wear one of the two, I look big. And for college ball, there is a huge emphasis on how one looks. Similar to PBUC.

[Kevin Finnerty]

From what I have seen in some of the NCAA umpiring recently, they should be more concerned with how they call a game and not how their shoulder caps protrude.

[Klokard]

Cece Carlucci made each and everyone of his chest protectors to the precise measurements of the buyer. A second hand Carlucci may not provide the best protection if it is illfitting. As far as other protectors looking bulky, just buy the next size shirt.

[Maz17]

Carlucci's are nice. I have held one before. As far as ordering another size up shirt... it still falls via gravity on my shoulders and the gold and platinum makes me look to big.

Again... anyone have one they are willing to sell or know of someone?

[SanDiegoSteve]

Well, I was going to suggest the V-Sport, which is exactly the same construction and quality of the All-American, except I can't find those anymore. I got mine from Lester's a few years back, but now they just sell a crappy looking, lesser-rated, soft covered V-Sport model. I can't find the hard shell one, which stopped freight trains. I would have sold you mine, but BigUmp56 snapped it up right away.

[DG]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Well, I was going to suggest the V-Sport, which is exactly the same construction and quality of the All-American, except I can't find those anymore. I got mine from Lester's a few years back, but now they just sell a crappy looking, lesser-rated, soft covered V-Sport model. I can't find the hard shell one, which stopped freight trains. I would have sold you mine, but BigUmp56 snapped it up right away.

Agree. My CP is a V-Sport. Best $80 I ever spent in equipment. The All American and the Champion certainly appear to be similar constructed. I think it will last till I quit umpiring so I am not looking for another.

[Maz17]

Does anyone have a picture of this v-Sport?

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Maz17

Does anyone have a picture of this v-Sport?

Here is a pdf of Lester's 2007 Catalog. On the first page is the V-Sport. Zoom in a few clicks for a really good look at it. It is item # BA813, which is no longer available in their new catalog. It pretty much looks just like the All-American, which by strange coincedence is also unavailable suddenly.

http://www.lestersupstatesports.com/...007Catalog.pdf

[SAump]

Originally Posted by Maz17

Does anyone have a picture of this v-Sport?

Someone here was posting pictures of their craft just a couple of months ago. It seems the little seamster would be willing to make one specifically for you. Of course you would need to contact him and he would need your specific measurements. This private party agreement would not break current law.

[cardinalfan]

Originally Posted by boxstance

I received a V-Sport this morning and can't begin to thank you enough for turning me on to such a terrific protector. For $75 I got all of the protection that a Gold, Platinum, K-1 or Davis could offer. I haven't had the satisfaction of ever trying a Power or a Carlucci on so I can't speak for them but this protector is the bomb. I now have a cp that I will wear every time and a protector that is really no longer available. Right time, right place.

I haven't seen a V-Sport or Champion protector in person. I wonder how they can be so cheap if they're as good as the $150 CP's?

Glad there is an affordable protector on the market that offers good protection.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by cardinalfan

I haven't seen a V-Sport or Champion protector in person. I wonder how they can be so cheap if they're as good as the $150 CP's?

Glad there is an affordable protector on the market that offers good protection.

It's really not that they are cheap, it's that West Vests are overpriced. They should be selling for right around a hundred bucks, but some places sell them for around $200, depending on who's selling them. I've seen Platinums as low as $139 and as high as $209.

Here is the link to see a good photo of them, in case you didn't see it in the other thread:

http://championsports.com/cgi-bin/ca...method=perfect

[BaBa Booey]

Just got my V-sport....I've worn an All-American before and I can hardly tell the difference. The padding is great, it covers everything it needs to, the plastic is no different than on my old Wilson Gold. With my season about to start I'm pretty excited to have gotten my hands on this. Thanks Steve for posting the info about it!

[DG]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

It's really not that they are cheap, it's that West Vests are overpriced. They should be selling for right around a hundred bucks, but some places sell them for around $200, depending on who's selling them. I've seen Platinums as low as $139 and as high as $209.

Here is the link to see a good photo of them, in case you didn't see it in the other thread:

09page

The P210 looks exactly like my V-sport, except mine has V-Sport written on it where Champion is on the P210. I paid $80 and have no interest in spending more money on a CP.