Chest protector/equipment
 

Searched through old posts on recommended CP but there appear to be some newer ones out since the last posts. Time to update equipment and Im tired of sweating to death even in 60 degree weather. Anyone tried the new Schutt Airtex, or the Allstar CPU28Pro, how about the Honigs I believe its the K1-2010.

How about shin guards and masks while we are at it? Got recommendations on those also?

No wonder you are sweating. Whatcha wearing all that stuff fer? :rolleyes:

Because the games Ive been doing lately I probably should also be wearing a glove and just catch the ball myself.

I am still a big fan of the Pro 9, for chest protectors. I really like mine and would get another one if it failed me.

!
 

I second the Pro 9 endorsement - JUST the right balance between protection, comfort and price

I been using the Gerry Davis (-Wilson) leg guards for about five years now - and now have to get a new pair - only because the inside padding is wearing thin, and the straps are giving out. Five years is a long time for LIGHT, comfortable protection , so next year I can break them in. In fact, today I was working my last games for the season, and was talking to one of the coaches prior to my plate game , and the P warming up totally missed the C, and somehow hit me directly on my leg guard! I did not even flinch - it bounced right off that guard, and I hardly felt it!

My current mask is the Wilson A3009X - the two toned deerskin with the wrap around padding. Maybe not as light as some of them, but damn the thing is (again) comfortable, and still takes a beating.

Put me also on the list of people that endorse the Pro 9. I personally don't have the extension but love it. Dave

Put me down for the Honigs Fast Pitch Elite (K2). I had a Pro Nine, but it was just too hot and too heavy in this Texas heat. The Pro Nine is good if you are calling a couple games, but when you call 10 to 15 games (over the weekend) in 100+ degree weather, the K2 wins out for me. If you can wear a regular size, Honigs has the 2009 model on closeout for $40.

Whimp! :D

I do it all of the time. The only difference is that you have real humidity down there!

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...............

:D The humidity is a major contributing factor. What do you think about the weight difference? The K2 is 18 ounces vs the pro nine at 32.2 ounces?

We want the television announcers to not use the term foul tip on a ball hit backwards, and here we have an umpire using the term incorrectly. A foul tip cannot be a glancing blow since the catcher needs to secure the ball. Come on guys or gals, let's not use the term foul tip unless that is what it is. Dave

Is bailing out acceptable there? :p

Honestly, compared to the area the Pro 9 covers versus the coverage area of the K2, I will take the added weight. When I was looking for a new chest protector a few years ago, I borrowed a K2 from a buddy, and I never felt comfortable. I had also tried a few others, including the Pro 9, and that is what led me to my decision.

Then you probably don't want to hear this story about one of the new umpires in my association...

Despite all the warnings, he decided to "save money" and skip buying shin guards. After all, as he told me later, these were only 12 year old girls- how hard could they possibly be throwing?

One direct hit pitch straight to the knee cap later, he regreted that decision. His knee cap was shattered into four pieces. Somehow they got it pushed back together without surgery, but he was done umpiring for the year and lost considerable time from his regular job. I didn't ask him how comfortable the thigh to ankle cast he had to wear for six weeks was.

Quote:
Originally Posted by derwil View Post
Shin guards - I also picked up the Diamond Triple knee shin guards...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.

My left knee is very happy that it is covered by a guard (K-10).