another pro nine chest protector question
 

What does anyone who owns a pro nine chest protector do to keep the flap that goes under the right shoulder pad in place when you raise your arm? Anytime my arm comes a little forward and up, that flap flops on top of the shoulder pad and stays there when I lower my arm. It then sticks straight out and looks ridiculous. I don't really want to cut it off, but could if that is the only solution. I just tried this chest protector tonight for the first time. Dave

I wear 2 t-shirts when I'm on the plate - one under the chest protector and one over the protector. With the Pro-9, that tends to keep that flap in place.

Steve, do you wear a stretchy tee shirt like Under Armour? I am assuming so since a regular cotton tee shirt wouldn't keep it in place. How much bigger size do you wear on top since the protector is quite bulky? Dave

Dave,
I wear a regular cotton t-shirt, same size as the one I wear under th chest protector. It stretches enough. Sometimes I'll even wear one of the sleeveless ones.

Steve, I normally wear Under Armour type. I just put it over the Pro Nine. It stretched and seems like it would be great. I am kinda suprised a regular cotton t would keep the flap in place. Dave

Seems like an awful lot of trouble to hold a chest protector together.

I am guessing the flap(s) you reference are the ones on each side of the chest protector near the arm pit area.
If so, I tuck mine under the main pad. I don't want to cut them off from the protector.
"Slightly" bulky although better than having the flap(s) stick out, especially after raising my arm(s).

I just reach up every so often and push it back into place!

U of M Sam. I put my Pro Nine on and did as you suggested. You are right, the flap stays in place and I can hardly tell it is there. I am going to try your idea and Steve's. They both seem like viable solutions to my problem. Dave

I've only had my Pro-Nine about a month and only used it in one tournament so far. I didn't notice the issue with the flap, but I will keep it in mind for future reference. Thanks

Andy, I used mine for the first time last night at a HS scrimmage. I noticed that if I raised my arm from the side to a "hammer" position the flap stayed where it should. If the arm was raised more to the front a little, (sometimes my "hammer" is a little to the front, or like signalling an "infield fly", or on a "punch out", the little flap would come out from under the shoulder cap and stick out. I didn't think it looked very professional adjusting it back under all the time. Dave

Sweet! Glad it also works for you.

I don't have a pro 9, or the seemingly similar Honigs K-1, so I have a couple of questions (since I'm considering getting something with better protection than the Honigs K-2 that I use now).

1) Are the Pro 9 and K-1 essentially the same under different names?

2) What is the function of the problematical side flap? (It seems from the picture to be of marginal use.)

3) Does anyone use the K-1, and do you have the same issue with the side flap poking out all the time?

I really don't want to have to wear two shirts under my umpire shirt, so if that is really required with the Pro 9, that one is out for me.

Having never used a K-1, but having seen them, yes, they are pretty much the same. Of course, the Pro 9 is about a third of the price. Champion now makes one that is almost identical to the Pro 9, but even cheaper.

It really is of marginal use. Though it does, when positioned properly, wrap around and protect the rib cage.

I don't, nor do I find the "problematic" side pad to be all that "problematic." It is like almost any other gear we wear, occaissionally it needs a little adjusting.

They look the same, but I have not actually looked at a Pro 9 myself.

I think it protects the top of the ribcage, around the armpit, though it seems redundant since the current K1 has a hard plastic plate that comes down from the bottom of the shoulder pad and seems to cover most of this area.

I have used the K1 for all my games, BB and SB, for the last 7 years or so. I have not had a problem with the flap. I think the K1 is a great CP. It might look like more protection than you need for softball, but I would rather have a too much. And like I said, I can use it for BB as well.

I finally got to use my Pro Nine chest protector this past weekend. It was varsity ball. (I know, I know, HS softball is supposed to be played in the Spring). As recommended, I folded the flap that wants to come out under the main part of the protector. It never popped out from there and I couldn't really even tell it was under there. I feel really protected even with it in this position. I didn't take a direct hit to the main body of the protector but did take a hard shot off the shoulder cap with no ill effects at all. Too bad I couldn't get as much protection down south since I took a direct, and I mean direct hit in the family making region. There weren't tears, just a little cold sweat when it happened. worst hit I have ever had. Dave

I worked the ASA Men's C National FP this past weekend. First game, three direct hits to the new Pro-Nine from foul balls...didn't feel a thing. I'm thinking..."what a great investment!" The K-2 is permanently retired now.

I didn't have any problem with the flap...but I think that is because I am a big (fat) guy and the protector fits pretty tight to my body.

...and just how was ol' Wild Bill down there?