My wife who is petite and a new umpire has used an UMP chest protector and has taken a couple of hard hits .
Due to the level of ball the catchers arnt that good .
Confidence wise she needs a light weight small protector , maybe with hard shell inserts .
Any suggestions .
She is small so the chest protector needs to be .

The 12" Pro-nine may fit the bill. That, or the Honigs K-2. I recommend checking them out in person, though, if you can be come place (tournament, clinic...etc.) where the vendors are set up.

Call Get Official, check out the Diamond DCP UX. It has a removable plate, makes it a 12" CP.