Exposed Chest Protector

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

I get plenty of ooohhs & ahhhhs and plenty of stares when I come onto the field wearing my plate coat.

I can believe the plenty of stares part, but the plenty of ooohhs & ahhhhs part, I don't think so. Nobody comes to a ballgame to see if the umpire is quite the fashion plate.

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

I can believe the plenty of stares part, but the plenty of ooohhs & ahhhhs part, I don't think so. Nobody comes to a ballgame to see if the umpire is quite the fashion plate.

Ya gotta believe us on this. Chicks dig the coat, and it's kinda like wearing a Pope's hat out there.



If nicely pressed polywools and shiny shoes buy you two innings, the coat is a 2 for 1 coupon on owning the park. But I fully understand your view, 'cause I didn't believe until I donned the Frock of Kings. But slip one on, and walk on the field, and you'll get it. (a plate coat, not the pontiff's lid)

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

I can believe the plenty of stares part, but the plenty of ooohhs & ahhhhs part, I don't think so. Nobody comes to a ballgame to see if the umpire is quite the fashion plate.

The ooohhs & ahhhhs come from the dugouts. Coaches & players seem to like the plate coats and remark about them because they rarely see them any longer. The fans could care less.

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

The fans could care less.

The COAT is a rarity here in San Diego, as the climate rarely makes it practical. But when it does make an appearance, it gets noticed by all, fans included. Trust me. I get comments from

"That's awsome!" from players and coaches

to

"Can I touch it?" from the Moms.

One cautionary note: Do not attempt to wear the coat unless you're at LEAST five years into it, and have total command of the field. Again, trust me on this.

[GoodwillRef]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

The ooohhs & ahhhhs come from the dugouts. Coaches & players seem to like the plate coats and remark about them because they rarely see them any longer. The fans could care less.

I wear my plate coat as much as possible...the coaches think you actually can umpire when they see one.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by GoodwillRef

I wear my plate coat as much as possible...the coaches think you actually can umpire when they see one.

I'm getting a new one next year. The big debate is whether I get a black one or a navy one. I had both at one time, then I lost a bunch of weight (my 50 wouldn't fit my 42 body now) and I sold both of them.

[kylejt]

Buy my 40R (fits like a 42R) navy one, and I'll buy a black one. Everybody wins!

Honestly, I'd get a black one if I were you. They go with more.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by GoodwillRef

I wear my plate coat as much as possible...the coaches think you actually can umpire when they see one.

Must be rookie coaches

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

How does he nail down a strike zone floating like that? He's almost never locked.

He does look great, though.

Yeah, he looks great. Except for that annoying putting his hand on the catcher thing. What's up with that? I have heard that most catchers hate that and wish the umpire would kindly remove his hand from their backs.

Originally Posted by GoodwillRef

I wear my plate coat as much as possible...the coaches think you actually can umpire when they see one.

Remember the oafish plate umpire from Major League in the final championship game (the one who pulled the chain on swinging strikes)? He wore a plate coat and managed to set movie-actor umpiring back 100 years at the same time. Most coaches I know around here would consider a plate coat pretentious on anything but a big game.

[scarolinablue]

OK, unless I'm blind (which, as an umpire, have certainly been accused of...), Dan Iassogna was wearing a black shirt over his protector last night. To me, as previously stated, this looks much better than a giant plastic yellow "W" sticking out under the coat.

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by scarolinablue

OK, unless I'm blind (which, as an umpire, have certainly been accused of...), Dan Iassogna was wearing a black shirt over his protector last night. To me, as previously stated, this looks much better than a giant plastic yellow "W" sticking out under the coat.

You are correct. It was much better looking than a battle worn Riddel. And, having worn an Under Armour type shirt in between my cp and coat, it's much better fit. The coat glides over the shirt, instead of catching on the cp. It really does make a functional difference. I highly recommend trying it.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Can someone explain why it is taboo to wear a shirt over the CP as Iassogna did last night?

When it is exceptionally cold (three times a year, maybe), I have worn a Majestic thermabase pullover over my CP and under my long-sleeve shirt. It's light, very warm and looks/feels great, but is nick-worthy if you're being evaluated. Why?

Iassogna looked great, by the way.

[JJ]

Great. Now I have to buy ANOTHER shirt...

JJ

PS Iassogna looked great until he called that high curve ball....then he just looked well dressed...

[Kevin Finnerty]

One of these: