Champion Chest Protector
 

Does anyone have experience with the Champion Hard Shell Protector CP 220. I am umpiring competitive ball ages 9-16. I have a Diamond DCP U, but took some shots last year that I felt for a few days. Was trending towards a hard shell but have limited funds until after my first tournament in April. Any feedback or guidance is appreciated. Thank you!

JPaco54,
Welcome to the board. I commend you for stepping up and advancing. As far as the CP you mention, I cannot offer personal info on it, but I would like to offer sound advice. In the age group you will be working, ANY of the better CP's on the market will offer adequate protection. If you do a search on this site you will find that CP's are alot like car manufacturers. Some like Chevys, some Fords. some Dodges. Same with CP's. I have umpired for about 28 years and have owned only 3 CP's. I started my career doing the same ball you are talking about with a Rawlings CP. Once I started doing HS ball, I spent the money and bought a Carlucci in 1987. That CP lasted me until 2 years ago. It was still acceptable protection but it was worn out. I had every intention of getting over the hill to see Cece and have him upgrade it. Never did. He has since passed on. (Moment of silence.) I now use a Douglas 1st generation and have modified it greatly. Point being. It's your body. Get something that fits and that you like. The West Vest Gold can be found on eBay for reasonable. The Douglas, Riddell, Pro Choice, Wilson Gerry Davis are all good protectors. It's what you like and what you feel comfortable with.

Klolard - thank you for your input. I have plans to shop a few this Saturday. We have three stores in my area that sell CP's and I think your advise is sound about fit. So, I will go out and try a few on and go from there. I did borrow one last year from a friend and the fit was horrible, it kept creeping up around my neck and bulking up my shoulders. Thanks again!

Creeping up around the neck is not a bad thing. Keep those collar-bones protected!

The bruise location
 

I remember the shot I took to the chest like it was yesterday. I took a long pause to recover from the initial blast. The bruising proved that I shouldn't be back there without a hard shell CP. Wear another CP beneath the Diamond DCPU until you can afford the hard shell CP.

The new Wilson hard shell CP are well designed. I found a Wilson Gold CP model. The initial "fit" discomfort disappears as the CP molds to fit your particular body frame. The "heat" discomfort will never disappear. You may wear the the latest hi-tech undershirts. I still prefer an inexpensive light cotton t-shirt. But I would not trade in my Gold CP for any other model.

If $$$ are a concern, they are the best I know of (for the price) I bought my son one when he started doing 13-14 ball. comes in 13, 15, 17" i think.

08 Champion P220 Adult Umpire Chest Protector 13" - eBay (item 370170434511 end time Mar-16-09 11:04:32 PDT)

15" BASEBALL SOFTBALL UMPIRE CHEST PROTECTOR FREE SHIP - eBay (item 160320360153 end time Apr-07-09 09:22:47 PDT)

17" BASEBALL SOFTBALL UMPIRE CHEST PROTECTOR FREE SHIP - eBay (item 160320359498 end time Apr-07-09 09:20:03 PDT)

Jpaco54,

This might be of some interest to you...

Champion P200 chest protector? - Umpire-Empire

However, this is not the same Champion model as the one on ebay (the P220). The one on ebay is the real deal, a hard shell model that is comparable to the V-Sport and the All-American hard shell models.

I use a Champion (the old V-Sport type). I don't know if it's the 220 you are asking about. I'd have to look at it.

I love it. I've taken several shots and don't feel a thing. Great collar bone protection. And the shoulder pads are set high enough to protect the point of your shoulder. It's comparable to the WV Gold/Platinum in my opinion, as far as protection is concerned.

Awesome CP and can be had for $60 or less on ebay.

Edit to add - yeah, it's the p210 that I have - 15" model. Got it on ebay from instant replay sports (highly recommended)

The Champion 220 looks very similar to my V-Sport. I have taken countless direct shots to CP and don't remember any of them. I work a lot of HS+ varsity age ball.

The P200 series are all virtually identical, with the P220 being 13" long, the P210 15" and the P200 17". They're all "the real deal", identical in design and style except for the difference in length.

Even the Instant Replay guy selling these on eBay seems to have the model numbers mixed up. He refers to the 13" version as both the P220 and P200 in the same auction.

Here is the very best picture available of all six (not counting the really crappy ones on the previous page) Champion chest protectors. Three hard shells and three K-1 style:

09page

Yeah, that's how I got mixed up!:)

Yep, I've got the 210 - 15". Swapped from a 17" V-sport thatwas just too long.

Worth every penny - and you don't need a lot of 'em.