New Chest Protector

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by Andy

Since I don't do much rec league any more, I find that I am not hit as much due to the ineffectiveness of the catcher. This protector is just fine for the levels of ball that I work.

The reason I switched to the Pro 9 was that I was doing no rec ball anymore, and the old All Star "foam pad" style chest protector was not giving me enough protection when the ball speeds off of the bat during the college game. The moral of this tale? You might not get hit as much at the higher levels of ball, but when you do you will be glad that you have the best protection.

[argodad]

I've used the same "The UMP" protector for 15 years. Honigs sells it as item UMP5C. Good coverage, light, and good protection, even though it's flexible. I need to replace the straps because they're losing elasticity, but I wouldn't think of switching to anything else. It is hot, but everything is hot when you wear it in Florida.

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by argodad

I've used the same "The UMP" protector for 15 years. Honigs sells it as item UMP5C. Good coverage, light, and good protection, even though it's flexible. I need to replace the straps because they're losing elasticity, but I wouldn't think of switching to anything else. It is hot, but everything is hot when you wear it in Florida.

I wore "the Ump" for a long time. I stopped and went to the Pro-9 when I took a foul off the top of my shoulder in a game. That hurt, a lot. I went to the Pro-9 because of the hard plastic cap on the shoulders. A year or so ago, I went to the Schutt and used it for everything. Then, in a men's major game, I took a foul off the left side of my chest - just off the plastic shield. I felt the results of that foul for a week or so. So I went back to the Pro-9 for the men's game and use the Schutt's for everything else. Because there is not a hard shell on the shoulder, I would not recommend "the Ump" to anyone.
I do wear "the Ump" baseball leg guards for all levels of softball - and would recommend them to anyone. But not their softball leg guards.

[Mountaineer]

My buddy owns the local Purchase Officials Supply and he weighed the K2 and the Pro 9 and there was only an ounce difference (according to him - I didn't see the weigh-in). We also have a LOT of guys around here that use the K2, including my girlfriend. I have borrowed one a couple of times just to try it and just felt uneasy with my ribs unprotected - but many guys in our college conference us it.

I worked a college scrimmage last night and took two SHOTS - one in the sternum and one on the shoulder and honestly felt nothing after the initial "thud".

I am considering buying the Schutt protector with the cold packs . . . several guys I call with swear by them in the summer heat. Anyone here used that one?

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer

My buddy owns the local Purchase Officials Supply and he weighed the K2 and the Pro 9 and there was only an ounce difference (according to him - I didn't see the weigh-in). We also have a LOT of guys around here that use the K2, including my girlfriend. I have borrowed one a couple of times just to try it and just felt uneasy with my ribs unprotected - but many guys in our college conference us it.

I worked a college scrimmage last night and took two SHOTS - one in the sternum and one on the shoulder and honestly felt nothing after the initial "thud".

I am considering buying the Schutt protector with the cold packs . . . several guys I call with swear by them in the summer heat. Anyone here used that one?

Larry,
Are you talking about Mike - with the local Purchase Officials Supply? He's a good guy.
I tried the cold packs and did not find them worthwhile. But, when you sweat like I do, I think the "cooling system" gets overloaded quickly. The Schutt model I have is the one with the ice packs but I don't use them.

[Mountaineer]

Originally Posted by Steve M

Larry,
Are you talking about Mike - with the local Purchase Officials Supply? He's a good guy.
I tried the cold packs and did not find them worthwhile. But, when you sweat like I do, I think the "cooling system" gets overloaded quickly. The Schutt model I have is the one with the ice packs but I don't use them.

Actually it's Terry in WV . . . isn't Mike the guy in Ohio? I think he's the big owner but Terry owns the WV franchise.

Curious to know what you mean by the cooling system getting overloaded . . . do you mean the ice packs thaw quickly?

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer

Actually it's Terry in WV . . . isn't Mike the guy in Ohio? I think he's the big owner but Terry owns the WV franchise.

Curious to know what you mean by the cooling system getting overloaded . . . do you mean the ice packs thaw quickly?

OK, Mike is the guy in Pittsburgh.

I think the ice packs not lasting long is more a mater of how "hot" I get.