See Chest Protectors Worn - Front and Back

Masks
Last year we added to ump-attire.com images of most umpire masks actually worn. That received a nice response.

Chest Protectors
Moving down the body, we just completed a photo shoot involving worn chest protectors that include front and back views. Those images are now online, at least 6 of 7 chest protectors. I admit we hurried through it at the end of a busy day, and we missed one.

Providing such alternative images is exclusive here and in line with our philosophy of providing as much information to you as possible so you can make the best informed decisions. So, I hope this helps. Regardless, would love your feedback and/or suggestions.

Shin Guards
We'll work on adding images of worn shin guards in the coming weeks as well as other protective gear we might have missed.

Jeanne at Work

In response to some of your requests, I'm going to start adding some images of people here at work.

Here's Jeanne Nelson, our Operations Manager, content with her new office furniture, phone and computer.

PlusPOS: A Competitor's Closing Affects Us

It's not been my style to talk about specific competitors publicly unless it's something positive.

Sometime around September '07 one of our major competitors, PlusPOS closed up shop. From what I hear from those who've been in this business longer than I, they were the first company to offer sporting goods to sports officials... a pioneer really. From what I gather, they have been for some time #2 in sales in this industry out of what I count is 20+ companies.

Other #2's
For fun, even though it's comparing small apples to big ones, here are some other #2's in their industries: Delta Airlines, Dell Computers, ABC TV and Toyota. Imagine if one of those went out of business suddenly and how that would affect others like them.

Now that PlusPOS is no longer a competitor, this post is not intended to be my launch pad to begin talking bad about them. Others have done plenty of that.

So how do I feel about it?
You'd probably think I'd be overjoyed. Not exactly. On a personal level, I can't help but feel for the people who worked so hard to build it up. I have a lot in common with the powers-that-were there as a fellow entrepreneur, small business owner and officials' supplier. In addition, how could you not feel vulnerable? I mean if it could happen to them, it could happen to us.

A Further Increase in Business
On a practical business level, we have been taken a little off-guard. For instance, we had planned for strong growth for the '07-08 basketball season but felt an unexpected added push from their closing that left us in November and December working a little harder than usual and worrying a little more about whether we'd have enough inventory for the rest of the season. I guess you could call that a good problem to have.

Spring '08
As for baseball season, who knows. We were planning on a nice spring even before they closed and are trying to figure in the coming added push that we didn't figure in for basketball (wrestling, too). You can read about some of our in-house improvements in my last post.

But as PlusPOS was stronger in baseball and softball who knows just how much of an added push that will be. I feel a little like we're shooting in the dark and that it will take until March or April when the sun comes up to see if we actually hit any of the right targets.

Update on New Baseball/Softball Items Expected

In a previous post, I had discussed what had come in and what had not of our 50+ products we're adding for Spring. Here's an update:

In

• Under Apparel in multiple colors
  
• Logoless throat guards (6 1/2 and 4 1/2 inches)
  
• New over-the-knee socks
  
• College Manuals including new softball manual

Expected This Week (although a little later than we had thought)

• 4 New Jackets from Smitty in various trims and waist styles
  Actually the navy with red stripes is in
  
• Dark grey plate and base pants (pics and descriptions up)
  
• Long sleeve umpire shirts in navy, black and powder blue (pics and descriptions up)
  
• New Balance plate and base shoes
  

A Week Full of Upgrades: Warehouse, Office and Staff

You know we're constantly upgrading our website. However, this week, we elected to tackle several in-house improvement projects. Here's the list of things we knocked out that should alleviate some of our recent growing pains.

• New Pallet Racks/Shelving
  Put up just in time for the arrival of much of our booked baseball inventory
  
  
• New Phone System
  Continue to expect getting a human voice, but the greatest benefit will be keeping us from yelling down to the warehouse from the office and vice-versa.
  
  
• New Computer Network and Server
  Which will allow us to access order information more quickly and from more computers
  
  
• Upgrades to Our Order Management Software
  Many improvements including the ability for us to have your previous order info at our fingertips as you place your new phone order
  
  
• Job Interviews
  We interviewed some great candidates today and hope to have an additional person each in the warehouse and for customer service next week.
  

Is there any other officials' store working as hard as us?