I like to read and occasionally post to the umpire equipment forum at the Amateur Baseball Umpire Association website. One thing I read about is how a few veteran umpires don't like or would never wear a "soft-shell" chest protector (CP) for high school use. Basically, they felt they were only appropriate for youth baseball. Hmm?
After discussing this with two of our veteran umpires, who are also customers and wearers of the Pro Nine CPU, a "soft-shell" (one HS baseball and one HS fast-pitch) and after corresponding via e-mail with Pro Nine HQ, I experienced a great deal of conflict. Here I am being told by some veteran umpires that "soft-shells" shouldn't be worn above youth leagues, HS umpires who love it and Pro Nine telling me they stand behind it at the Div. I level. That's a pretty wide discrepancy.
The problem I think is not with the umpires or with the CP themselves, but with the labeling it as a "soft" shell. Would a bullet proof vest manufacturer call their new style of vests a "soft-shell"? It surely doesn't sound like much of a "protect"or.
When I umpire'd out of college, the CP I bought was only an a "soft" chest protector...not a "soft-shell" as it had no plastic plates or anything...I mean just plain "soft". It may have been an old style to something like the UMP brand. I was trying to get by w/ cheap. I actually had no problems with it except 1 shot I took on a foul ball to the chest late in my first year. That's when I realized I should've spent a little more money.
I just really wonder that when people think "soft-shell" they immediately think of the type that I wore. "Soft" is probably not a good word to use for anything where safety is involved even though it references only the shell.
From another perspective what if all of the hard-shells (with inner soft padding) were reversed. Let's take our Wilson Gold worn at the Major League level and turn it inside out. Voila! You now have a soft shell. Is it less protective? Except for the fact it won't fit you quite right if worn that way, then I would say "Yes...absolutely...it's still as protective."
Note to self: Come up with better way to label CPs that have their hard plating inside rather than outside. Suggestions?
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I happen to have and wear both a Wilson Platinum 3217 aand the Pro Nine. I have taken similar shots with both. The "sound" is different but the result is the same. There was no injury. You are correct in that the word soft shell is a misnomer and a ineffective description of protectors with plastic plates. Incidentally, I have taken a Pronine and sectioned it with a band saw to see how the plastic plates compare. They are as thick as those on the Wilson and seem to be as rigid. I have used each in HS and College games and feel equally protected.
I mistakenly listed the model number of the Wilson Platinum in my post as 3217. The correct number is 3215.
Post a Comment