The "Soft-Shell" CP Challenge and BBQ in Birmingham

After noticing that 3 out of 3 people, who negatively commented against the soft-shell Pro Nine CP in a thread at umpire.org, had never actually worn them, I offered a challenge that I would set a few aside for demo purposes. This would mean that I would send out this CP at no charge as long as the wearer would test drive it in a game situation then post an objective review on the very same thread... then send it back when they were done. Thought that sounded like a fun thing to do.

Well, none of the commenters themselves took the offer. However, Chuck Maske, veteran umpire from Birmingham, Alabama and assigning secretary of the Oak Mountain Umpire Association who read the challenge humbly offered to do so. Chuck is a wearer of the Wilson Gold hard shell and umpires levels of youth through Div. II. So, he'd be a perfect candidate to judge.

Besides, Chuck is a heck of a nice guy. After I mentioned one of my favorite places to eat down in Birmingham was "Jim and Nick's BBQ", Chuck said that there was actually a better place to eat BBQ in Birmingham...the Full Moon BBQ. So Chuck offered to take me there the next time I was in the area. Because I do get down that way about once every 2 years, I'll eventually take him up on his offer

Then I'll pass on my newfound knowledge by writing an objective review here about the BBQ at the Full Moon.

"Soft"-Shell is a Bad Name for a Good Umpire Chest Protector

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?