Jacquie Rooney (left) talks with Ron Arnsperger of Florence, Kentucky, while Creative Director Amanda Tricase looks on.
Jacquie Rooney, Wilson Team Gear Product Manager, spent 2 hours interacting with customers at our booth at the 2011 NCAA Umpire Clinic in Chicago. "This was a great way for me to talk directly with our end customers," said Jacquie, whose Wilson headquarters are in Chicago. She added, "Umpires are so passionate about what they do and the equipment they use, and I always take to heart their ideas on how we can improve our products to make their jobs easier and safer."
NCAA Umpires discuss titanium masks.
(Left to right) Terrance Mobley, Brent Simmons and Paul Holba stop by to check out new gear.
Amanda prepares our booth.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. This time, I brought our new creative director Amanda Tricase as well. We passed out a fair share of the marketing materials and catalogs she has created. And, as always, I enjoyed talking with our customers.
Overall, it was an excellent day and another successful NCAA Clinic for us.
UMPS Care put on a great Golf Classic. Thanks to Samuel Dearth, executive director and all the MLB umpires in attendance for their hospitality, especially teammate and super good guy Sam Holbrook.
NCAA umpire Scott Kennedy (Louisville), MLB umpire Sam Holbrook (Lexington) and
Jim Kirk form nucleus of Kentucky-dominated team.
Scott pretends he wins the longest drive.
Sam and Scott stand in amazement at the shot I just hit.
Glenn Miller, Umps Care Board Member putts as Sam looks on.
Pete Madland (right), Wisconsin, keeps his joke per hole streak alive.
Raven Golf Club in Phoenix served as a great backdrop for a professionally done Golf scramble.
Wilson West Vest chest protectors have been a standard for hard shell protection since umpire Joe West elected to use football shoulder pads as a model to make a new kind of umpire chest protector.
In the last several years, both the Gold and the Platinum have undergone some changes, especially length wise (that's neck to bottom), and the information on the changes have honestly not kept up very well. This blog post is meant to correct that.
So let's all go through a little hypnosis session and erase your memory on everything you think you know about the lengths of these popular CPs. Here we go:
"You are getting very sleepy...sleepy...", etc and so forth.
Ok, good, your memories are successfully erased on the subject. I just hope there is no collateral damage in erasing your knowledge on the infield fly rule in the process.
Wilson Platinum
WHAT YOU THOUGHT YOU KNEW
It comes in 13.5" and 10.75" inches lengths top to bottom.
WHAT IS ACCURATE
It comes in 12" and 10.75" inches. So 12", not 13.5".
A 10.75" platinum lying on a 12"
WHY THE CHANGE
MLB umpires felt the platinum was too bulky in the neck over a year ago so Wilson took out some protection in that area. This resulted in a less lengthy protector neck to bottom. However, this change did not get noted in the catalog or relayed to retailers. It was only when a customer alerted us that his 13.5" chest protector he received promptly in his package was not 13.5" that had us scrambling to find out what was going on.
WHAT NOW
As a result, we didn't want to lead you astray and changed this on our website a while back to 12". You will find competitors listing it still at 13.5". IT IS NOT CORRECT. Do forgive them for they know not what they do.
Wilson Gold
WHAT YOU THOUGHT YOU KNEW
It comes in chest sizes and all lengths are 12" inches.
WHAT IS ACCURATE
It does come in chest sizes but each size has a different length. The S/M is 11", the M/L is 12" and the L/XL is 12.75".
A S/M on a M/L on a L/XL with lines added showing the bottoms.
WHY THE CHANGE
I honestly don't know, nor do I even know when the change took place (I missed it), but I like it. Almost another inch as an option is a good thing.
WHAT NOW
We have changed the info on our website to correct this.
A New Wilson and Gold Comparison
While you always knew the Gold had thicker padding than the Platinum (and it still does), the prevailing thought was that if you wanted more length, you went with the 13.5" inch platinum over the 12" Gold. Right? I knew it! I am a mind reader, too.
Now that thinking should be opposite. If you want more length, then you go with the L/XL Gold at almost 13" rather than the Larger Platinum at 12". I'll say that again.
"The Gold in the L/XL is longer than the Platinum...
Buy one today."
Ok, I'm sorry that was just a little unprofessional of me to take advantage of you like that while you are in your vulnerable hypnotic state. I do apologize.
"When I snap my fingers, you will wake up and officially be a much smarter person."
I am sorry though I can't help you find where you put your keys this morning.
We are excited to be involved yet again with Major League Baseball Umpires' biggest fundraiser, the UMPS CARE Golf Classic.
This is the 6th Annual Golf Classic, the last three of which we have proudly sponsored, with proceeds to benefit UMPS CARE Charities youth programs. The event itself will take place on Thursday, January 20th at the Raven Golf Club in Phoenix, Arizona.
Other events at the Classic include a social event with participants and MLB umpires the night before, the golf scramble at 8:30 a.m., silent and live auction throughout, and post-event awards ceremony.
I also look forward to an escape from what has been a pretty cold winter in Kentucky to date and having Scott Kennedy, NCAA Division I umpire, former AAA umpire and former Wendelstedt School instructor, as a guest member of our team who will be making the trip with me from Louisville.
I'll also be able to kill two birds with one stone (or should I say golf ball?) while in Phoenix where we will have a booth set up at the NCAA umpire clinic going on the weekend following the Golf Classic.
ABOUT UMPS CARE
Founded by MLB Umpires, UMPS Care helps children who are either awaiting adoption, in mentoring programs, coping with serious illness or in a lengthy hospital stay. For more information, visit www.umpscare.com.
One of the FAQs around here for the last almost 5 years we have been in business is "Do you have a catalog?"
"Everything is online" would be our standard reply.
So the thought has been we would save on paper and not spend a gazillion dollars on shipping catalogs to each of you. But we have had a change of heart, especially now that we have a full-time creative director who can put one together in the amount of time it takes to call a doubleheader.
But in our sometimes quirky way of doing things, we decided to go baseball/softball only, go ultra-light on the descriptions and showcase certain products, not every single brush, indicator and piece of protective gear.
The condensed catalog dedicates its 20 pages to many of our customer choice, made in the US, exclusive and new items - you know, the important stuff - and not the same ol' same ol' you see year after year. Besides, if you want to to see every single item or want to read more, then you can go online.
Therefore, our rehearsed phrase still rings true. "EVERYTHING IS online".
In print production at the moment and ready mid next-week, you can get a sneak peek by viewing the PDF at www.ump-attire.com/catalog or if you want a quantity to share at your association meeting, please message sherry@ump-attire.com with your address and quantity desired.
I'm really excited about our Wilson umpire gear selection this year. We have worked hard on our relationship with those at Wilson who work on the umpire side of team gear. As a result, we were able to broker some exclusive and much requested items as well as some new special order ones you might find elsewhere but certainly not everywhere.
Here is the rundown of the exclusives:
Titanium Umpire Mask with Natural Tan Leather
Could this be the coolest, temperature wise, of any umpire mask? You'll find little black on this mask outside that on the harness. This mask comes in the preferred standard profile frame, has the MLB logo and has full natural grain leather on the inside for comfort and all that along with PU leather on the outside (which is a thin layer of leather of polyurethane that gives the outside a finished look standard on most Wilson masks).
This is a limited supply item and a good number of them are already out the door. I don't expect these to last through the entire season, and we are not planning on getting any more in until 2012 so if you want one, you'll want to order early.
Charcoal Umpire Shin Guards in 15.5 and 18.5 Inches Sizes
This customer preferred shin guard is going to be preferred even more because now it will fit more umpires than just the majority in the middle of the bell curve. Now taller umpires can get a Wilson shin guard without having to order the triple-knee black ones and others can now find a 15.5" Wilson shin guard of any kind without having to order another brand.
So, I hope you guys who this item now fits really benefit from and enjoy what has always been my favorite shin guards: easy to clean, comfortable and highly protective.
More special order items that are new here:
Non-Wrap Around (Traditional) Replacement Padding: Tan | Black
We went ahead and grabbed a limited quantity in each color. Finally, you guys, you know who you are, can quit telling me that you wished you could get the older Wilson padding and just buy a set already. And yes, these should fit about any mask frame from any brand. Enjoy.
Wilson Doeskin Umpire Mask
These continue to be fairly popular so we keep buying them. We recently changed the SKU from A3019-TAN to A3009X-DS not to confuse you but to better match actual color and Wilson's style number.
Future Developments with Wilson
We have already discussed on our Facebook fan page a prototype extension for Wilson hard shell chest protectors. It is still in the works as are a few other things you'll just have to stay tuned to learn about.
What product protective gear suggestions do you have? Is their a feature on any new Wilson item that can be improved or changed? I'd be happy to share your thoughts with them.
Besides some cosmetic updates such as a new Customer Choice icon and adding a "Made in US" icon where applicable, we have been busy adding a few more features to make shopping at ump-attire.com an even better experience.
Site Reviews
Now you can rate products from 1 to 5 stars and submit reviews via a link that leads to a quick form fill-in. The best responses are honest - positive or negative, specific without being too short or too long and helpful. For instance, what would you have wanted to know before your purchase? We do review the reviews for appropriateness, which are normally posted within 2 business days. Suggested Products
Our website is now able to calculate, behind the scenes, sales totals of products other shoppers buy most when buying the product you are considering so you can consider related items.
Share with Others
Like a product? Now you can easily share with your friends via email, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and many other sites. Or you can print and add to your favorites after clicking the "+" sign as well. This is a multi-faceted tool that allows you to do much more with products that might be on your wish list or think it should be on others' than simply adding it to your cart.
The spread included new vertical banner and table banner
I don't know if it was the premiere of a new display, Anessa's clinic debut, an excellent casting of new products, the fact that I went sportcoat instead of polo or a combination of all 4, but the Nashville NCAA umpire clinic this past weekend was a blockbuster success.
Umpire Scott Kennedy, raved
"The guys all agreed that your display banners and overall set-up was OUTSTANDING! You guys did a GREAT job!!
Umpire Nathan Huber gave us
5 out of 5 stars!
Scott, Nathan and around 523 more NCAA umpires from the southeast (mostly) attended the one day event at the Airport Marriott, and it felt as if most of the 525 stopped by our booth. This year we decided to double up on staff but at times thought we could have used one more. Anessa and I saw more people, shot more photos and took more orders (although that's not our main goal) than we ever have.
Pink Showcase
Which products were umpires in attendance most interested in? Well, the pink shirt for one - as people are really digging the Umpires Against Breast Cancer campaign, Majestic Thermabase jackets - those received the most "oooh"s and "ahhh"s, Wilson titanium masks, the All-Star MVP4000 helmet and the Robic stopwatch - which was basically endorsed by the NCAA during the meeting to use in their new speedup rule.
Take a look at some of our photos from the event and see some of the happy customers who stopped by. I'm sure our competitors who were there see us as a little odd at times. Bringing new products instead of all products? Snapping photos? Seemingly spending more time cutting up with customers than making sales? Having a girl helping to man the booth? Odd or not, thanks for everyone who stopped by and helped make the clinic a good and enjoyable experience for us.
John Bennett, myself, Nathan Huber and Brian Kennedy
Clarence and Cedric Coleman and Nathan Huber
I talk to College World Series Umpire AJ Lostaglio about the All-Star System 7 Series Helmet
I'm sure everyone is tired of seeing me so I thought I'd bring along some fresh faces this year to 3 of the upcoming NCAA Umpire Clinics in Nashville, Phoenix and Chicago. We will not be attending Philly.
Others will be joining me at other clinics, but I expect Anessa Arehart our customer service manager who has been called the customer service goddess by more than one customer, to be a little bit of an extra draw given the high chance you have communicated with her in some way. So, if you are attending, stop by our booth and say "hello" to her. Don't forget to say "hello" to me as well.
This year, besides the additional presence, you'll see a fresher look to our booth that will feature our show-and-tell road show of new products as well as some mainstays.
Note that, we do not bring multiples of items to sell directly like others often do, but if there is something in particular you want us to bring, like a size 10 MF995LBK-4E, let us know.
Here is our complete 2011 clinic attendance schedule.
January 8th – Nashville
Nashville Airport Marriott
600 Marriott Drive Joined by Anessa Arehart, Customer Service Manager
January 22th – Phoenix
Sheraton Crescent Hotel
2620 West Dunlap Avenue Joined by Paul Hugues, Buyer/Product Manager in-training
January 29rd – Chicago
Hyatt Regency Chicago on the Riverwalk
151 East Wacker Drive Joined by Amanda Tricase, Creative Director
