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| Lobby of Wilson headquarters in Chicago. |
Despite the fact that Wilson's umpire gear offerings have stayed about the same the last few years, I was impressed with the current product development plans shared by Jacqueline Rooney, product manager and Bill Woessner, R&D.
PLANS
Without offering complete details, one of the areas they are looking at diligently is protective gear that will make umpires safer, especially as it relates to head trauma, than products on the market today.
In the last 3 or 4 years, trends in umpiring equipment have been related to lighter weights and lower profiles, so I'm pleased that Wilson is looking toward next step protective technologies and talking to leading experts in the field all while listening to us and our customers.
Indeed, some of our Facebook fans/umpires shared comments, ideas and questions via a recent August 10th post and those were well-received. Many of you will be happy to see changes that you have discussed already being implemented and desired new items available in the near-term.
CHANGES
Changes being implemented for 2012 include:
- Removable toe plates on all A3417 Charcoal Shin Guards
- Replacement mask padding designs have been re-tooled and will fit your Wilson mask frame more closely.
- Better adhesive formula changes to Shock FX helmet inner padding (actually implemented in the fall of 2010)
You'll also find these two new items:
- A matte black Shock FX helmet that will be available with a steel frame
- A Wilson Gold and/or Platinum Chest Protector that will be available in a longer size option. See recent post.
11 comments:
I certainly hope that they continue working on the Shock FX helmets. I like the technological/protective thinking behind the shock, but the padding needs an upgrade. Having tried both, the Shock is simply not as comfortable as the new All-Star offerings at this time.
In addition something needs to be done to improve the durability of the Titanium cages, if in fact Wilson wants to continue offering them. The Matte finish is a good idea, and, if they continue to develop/offer the Titanium models, I hope the offer the Matte finish on them as well.
While they have not, in my opinion, hit the target yet, I think that Wilson is certainly aiming in the direction here. I trust the process will lead to an outstanding product.
I for one am very disappointed with the shock fx titanium . My first one the cage was bent by a foul ball . Wilson honored that one and less than a season later the replacement had the very same thing happen and Wilson basically said sorry about you're luck . I thought I was buying the best but I guess not .
I am hoping that Wilson comes out with a Wilson Shock Titanium, the one I'm looking at is the same one that is worn by MLB Umpire Gary Cederstrom. I am a huge fan of this mask because it looks like it has fantastic protection and I love the matte finish with the Titanium. Ump-attire do you have any information regarding when it will be available to buyers?
I appreciate everyone's feedback and suggestions on the Shock FX items. I'll make sure that Wilson has your input, much of which I have already discussed with them.
To my knowledge, Wilson is not planning on making a Shock FX in the style you see Cederstrom wearing.
Thanks Jim for your feedback although you don't think that the mask that Cederstrom wears will be made by Wilson do you know anywear that I may be able to purchase it? Thanks for your info.
Well, as they are not making it for resell, the only thing I would try is contacting Cederstrom himself. Maybe he has more than 1 or is switching to something else. Maybe he'll sell it to you for a donation to Umps Care Charities. Other than that, I don't have much of an idea for you. Sorry.
Thank you so much for your feedback Jim! Do you know how I could contact Cederstrom? I wouldn't want to wear a helmet helmet he already used but I want to contact him to see if he can sell me one that hasn't been used. Thanks again.
I'm okay with an email for Gary Cederstrom or a way to contact him through umps-care thanks again!
I'm sorry but I don't have his contact information. There is a contact us button on the UmpsCare website.
Jim is this matte umpire helmet with a steel finish the helmet that Tim Welke was wearing the whole season?
I think so.
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