New ASA Gear
 

Well, the '09 season is just around the corner here in NC, so I decided to peruse ASA's officialgear.com website. Much to my surprise, they've added the New Balance 450s, but not the 350s. And strangely, they're also selling that 3N2 shoe we heard about earlier on the forum. The Spotbilts are still the same price as before, even though they're discontinued by the manufacturer.

I also noticed that they've got a new plate mechanics DVD. Can anyone elaborate on what this DVD covers? Is it pretty FP/MP heavy? Is it even worth it for a SP ump like myself to consider buying? $35 is a bit steep for a DVD.

I think ASA was unable to ignore the quality and growing demand for the NB450. Its a great hi-top shoe.

The DVD is very good
 

We received a copy of the DVD at the UIC clinic this weekend. I think that it will be a very good teaching tool as everyone, if using the DVD, will be teaching the same thing. At this point, I have only seen the plate mechanics sections, but both SP and FP are covered on a split screen. IMO, the DVD is worth the money.

If you want the NB plate shoe you can get a better deal than that. Just search in the baseball forum for sites. The 350s are actually discontinued, though you may be able to get some at Honig's or Gerry Davis. New Balance has a new base shoe this year:

http://www.honigs.com/detail.asp?Cat=2&Sub=9&Item=1211

Also comes in wide and a mid-cut version.

I first saw the DVD a week ago; our Georgia ASA is purchasing copies for all Zone UIC's, and will use it as our primary state training tool.

In my opinion, it is the best softball training tool I have seen. If the name or reputation has any meaning to you, former Deputy Director Henry Pollard (both ASA and ISF at one time) made the same statement. We were also told that Maryland/DC ASA has purchased 600 copies to distribute.

As an individual,, you may not think it is worth $35 for you. If you are responsible to train any number of umpires, it is well worth the price.

Yeah, I saw those 995s, too. I see New Balance is finally starting to listen to our concerns over an all-black shoe. I've still got a set of 350s that I nicely polished before putting them away, so they're ready to go for my first games of the season. However, when those eventually get retired, I'm interested in both the 3N2s and the 995s. Any feedback would be great.

I only call SP, and there's about $250-300 in gear I'm looking to get before I get too far into the season. That's on TOP of all the gear I already have! My wife's gonna kill me... :eek:

I'll ask my UIC if he got a copy. Maybe he'll let me take a look at it sometime.

Tell her to look on the bright side, you could be looking at buying a new Kimber instead. :D

I don't like the look of NB 995s, especially the strip of patent leather running around the edge of the shoe.

I'm sure as the guys on the baseball board get the 995s they will post about them. New Balance shoes have usually been very positively reviewed.

You could tell your wife that at least you're not looking at a new titanium mask. :D
I prefer the look of the 350s myself. I also think the new model is a little too shiny.

I don't know... She didn't have too much of a problem when I bought my AR-15 in October. :D

She's a keeper then! Can I have her talk to my wife when we move to Texas? :p

Sure! What's your number? ;)

Dave,

Are we to assume that you now consider an AR15 to be required equipment for the properly outfitted umpire?

AR-15 is a bit much.

My Taurus PT-140, on the other hand, might be required equipment for calling local SP games.