Chest protector/equipment

[derwil]

I second the Honigs K2 recomendation. I had the Pro Nine to begin with but once I figured out where to stand - where NOT to stand - I decided to go with the more comfortable Honigs FP CP. Minima protection and I have been hit a couple times in the gut but usually glancing blows from foul tips....nothing big. So for me, the comfort of the Honigs outweigs the protection of the Pro Nine. I also call in Alabama and it gets 100 degrees with 80% humidity here - hot and friggin sticky. The Pro Nine after a weekend tourney had an odor all to its own - had to wash/disinfect the thing a bunch. Honigs is less of a problem and it washes/dries MUCH easier.

As far as masks go - get a lightweight mask if you plan on doing tournaments at all. Your neck will thank you. I got the Diamond featherweight mask and purchased Wilson seud black replacement pads because I heard how crappy the Diamond's were. The brown ones may keep you a little cooler but most evaluators will tell you they like the look of the black pads.

Shin guards - I also picked up the Diamond Triple knee shin guards and wore them for about two games when I decided they were too big/bulky for me - I didn't like the straps on my thigh. I then cut the knees out and popped out the rivets. My geards go from just below the knee to my boots now - much more comfortable. I have been hit on the knees but only a couple times - nothing too bad. Only have to worry about the lead leg and my stance is so wide that it's probaly only a foot off the ground at the pitch. I have also learned a defensive techniqe called "get the hell outta the way", which works well.

Many of the guys I work with here wear nothing but a mask and a cup. We call one guy "the flamingo" 'cause when a low pitch comes in he raises the leg that it could hit and stands on one. Idiots...............