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-   -   Spot-bilt going out of business (Ump-Attire blog) (https://forum.officiating.com/softball/43584-spot-bilt-going-out-business-ump-attire-blog.html)

Dakota Fri Apr 18, 2008 11:00am

Spot-bilt going out of business (Ump-Attire blog)
 
It would appear that Spot-bilt (now a division of Payless Shoes) has decided to stop production of officials' shoes. fyi...

Spot-Bilt Going Out of Business

NCASAUmp Fri Apr 18, 2008 12:47pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dakota
It would appear that Spot-bilt (now a division of Payless Shoes) has decided to stop production of officials' shoes. fyi...

Spot-Bilt Going Out of Business

I wonder what ASA will sell in Spot-Bilt's place, and if we'll still have to take Sharpies to them.

wadeintothem Fri Apr 18, 2008 11:19pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp
I wonder what ASA will sell in Spot-Bilt's place, and if we'll still have to take Sharpies to them.

Maybe they would get smart and simply remove that asinine rule.

Nah... probably not.

IRISHMAFIA Sat Apr 19, 2008 07:43am

Quote:

Originally Posted by wadeintothem
Maybe they would get smart and simply remove that asinine rule.

Nah... probably not.

Do we need to educate you on the meaning of "uniform" again? :cool:

wadeintothem Sat Apr 19, 2008 07:49am

Quote:

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA
Do we need to educate you on the meaning of "uniform" again? :cool:

Uniform means 280 different shoes, including patent leather dress shoes bought at the thrift store and $19.95 walmart work boots but no MLB utilized plate shoes with with white lettering :rolleyes:

IRISHMAFIA Sat Apr 19, 2008 08:15am

Quote:

Originally Posted by wadeintothem
Uniform means 280 different shoes, including patent leather dress shoes bought at the thrift store and $19.95 walmart work boots but no MLB utilized plate shoes with with white lettering :rolleyes:

Not unless everyone is wearing the same design.

BTW, why would anyone give a damn about what other organizations do or wear?

tjones1 Sat Apr 19, 2008 08:40am

I wondered what was going on. I certainly bought a pair of the low-cut Spot-bilt plate shoes from Ump-Attire. When I got my order, I noticed that the "tag" on the shoe was not Spot-bilt but the new Pentagon. When comparing the shoe to the Spot-bilt they are basically dead on. So it appears if you like the Spot-bilt shoes, you might consider looking at the Pentagon's.

Edit: Sorry, this is covered in the article above.

NCASAUmp Sat Apr 19, 2008 11:18am

Well, ASA still sells the Rival shoes, and they are extremely comfortable out of the box. Unfortunately, they didn't last very long for me at all. The lace holes turned into lace slits, the fabric around the ankle started coming off, and the stitching started pulling out. All after one fall season.

At least Spot-Bilt would generally make it a full year for me.

So who's got good recommendations for shoes for the SP umpire? I like the fact that Spot-Bilt and Rival both have "nubs" under the bottom, because it gives better traction than simple New Balance black walking shoes.

Steve M Sat Apr 19, 2008 04:17pm

I can't speak for their longevity, but I've gone with New Balance plate and base shoes this year. So far, so good, but that's only after about 40 games or so. If these shoes last as long as the shoes I've used previously, I'll highly recommend them.

Skahtboi Sat Apr 19, 2008 11:20pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve M
I can't speak for their longevity, but I've gone with New Balance plate and base shoes this year. So far, so good, but that's only after about 40 games or so. If these shoes last as long as the shoes I've used previously, I'll highly recommend them.


What did you do about the logo? Sharpie it out or polish over it?

Steve M Sat Apr 19, 2008 11:27pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skahtboi
What did you do about the logo? Sharpie it out or polish over it?

For now, just a Sharpie. That seems to be hold up OK.

wadeintothem Sun Apr 20, 2008 11:14am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skahtboi
What did you do about the logo? Sharpie it out or polish over it?

I sent my 450's back (nice extra 30 bucks in shipping to and from).. but I'm just going to sharpie it. Its a nylon?/cloth? logo so it shouldnt be a problem. When I ordered them, I thought it would be a leather logo and more difficult to manage, but it isnt.

wadeintothem Sun Apr 20, 2008 11:17am

Quote:

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA
Not unless everyone is wearing the same design.

BTW, why would anyone give a damn about what other organizations do or wear?

The point is... umpires can wear the same shoes they wore to the Cinco De Mayo dance without problem, but expensive and professional quality umpire equipment must be "sharpied" to comply..

Meanwhile, my ankle guards that have a white "W" on them and extend down the shoe.. legal.

If that same "W" was on the shoe, illegal.



Its senseless Mike.

NCASAUmp Sun Apr 20, 2008 03:51pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by wadeintothem
The point is... umpires can wear the same shoes they wore to the Cinco De Mayo dance without problem, but expensive and professional quality umpire equipment must be "sharpied" to comply..

Meanwhile, my ankle guards that have a white "W" on them and extend down the shoe.. legal.

If that same "W" was on the shoe, illegal.



Its senseless Mike.

I agree, and it baffles me that ASA wouldn't have struck some deal with Spot-Bilt like they did with Under Armour. Although, I did take a Sharpie to the white markings on the ankle guards of my shin guards. I don't think it was necessary, but I did it anyway to keep them from sticking out.

wadeintothem Sun Apr 20, 2008 05:33pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp
I agree, and it baffles me that ASA wouldn't have struck some deal with Spot-Bilt like they did with Under Armour. Although, I did take a Sharpie to the white markings on the ankle guards of my shin guards. I don't think it was necessary, but I did it anyway to keep them from sticking out.

My throat protector has a big white W on it too :eek:
I'm a walking Wilson and ASA billboard. Logo's everywhere but my a$$ and my shoes :rolleyes:


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