Equipment Worn By Some MLB Umpires

Today I'm going to try my hand at identifying a few masks and helmets used by Major League umpires.

That's Ed Hickox sporting the stylish new All-Star MVP4000UMPTI with titanium cage All-Star MVP4000 helmet with a MVP2500 steel cage during a Yankees / Blue Jays game on 9/24/10. I understand that Hickox has reinforced this helmet with additional padding. Brad Jurga from All-Star tells me that Hickox likes the idea that the steel cage bends to absorb energy rather than a less flexible titanium which must transfer energy from a ball impact.


Hickox wears a hat under his helmet as seen in this photo:

Gotta look good when you're gonna be on SportsCenter.



Here's Jim Joyce mugging for the camera during a 2010 game. Joyce is wearing a Wilson WTA3007T titanium mask. This mask is a standard view, not low-profile design. Notice Joyce is calling without a throat guard.





Laz Diaz helps the Cubs' Alphonso Soriano find his way on April 26, 2009. Diaz looks like an "Angel of Mercy" in his All-Star FM25TI titanium mask. Again, no throat guard. (Diaz and Joyce should read this article. In the 1970's a Peurto Rican catcher was struck in the throat by a foul ball and died).



Gary Cederstrom is profiling a Wilson WTA5590 Shock FX 2.0 umpire helmet with a titanium cage.

Cederstrom is demonstrating that once you have a MLB contract, you can wear your helmet on your head in a colorful manner. He is obviously applying the wisdom given to us by Crash Davis:

Joe West owns several umpire equipment patents. West is actively involved with research and development of umpire gear. So what does Mr. West trust to protect his West Vest gray matter? Surprise, that's not a titanium! Its a Wilson West Vest A3009 hollow core steel mask with soft amara suede pads.


Kinda makes you stop and think for a minute, huh?

Long Term Test Results

The summer season is winding down and school is starting soon. . . so now is a good time to do a long-term evaluation of gear. Today’s post reviews gear from last year’s U.M.P.Y Award winners.

Champro PRO-PLUS Gold Super-Xtreme Lightweight Face Mask

I began using the Champro magnesium face mask in May, 2009 and fell in love immediately. It is incredibly light (less than a pound!!!) and very comfortable after switching out the standard pads.

The Champro is also surprisingly durable. I have taken several shots to this mask from different angles and it did not shown a scratch, until. . .one particularly vicious foul ball during a college game hit the Champro mask and caused the upper eye bar to bend. I contacted Champro regarding its warranty. Champro is a solid company that is committed to customer service. I learned that Champro has a one year warranty from the date of purchase that covers product defects. However, foul balls are part of the game and bending from a serious force is expected. Given enough force any mask will bend (but hopefully not break).


Wilson Shock FX 2.0 Titanium Umpire Helmet (Product of the Year)

The Shock FX 2.0 was introduced in late 2009. It contains many safety features and is comfortable. However, I do not wear a helmet while working the plate, so I can’t speak first-hand regarding safety or durability.

Ump-Attire Ultimate Umpire Shirt

Jim Kirk sent me a navy blue Ump-Attire Ultimate Umpire Shirt to test and I have used it for two high school seasons. After several hundred washes it looks good as new and I intend to use it again next spring. As I expected during my initial testing, the Ultimate breathes well and is well constructed. I highly recommend this shirt.

Honig’s Poly Wool Umpire Pants

I wore the same Honig’s Poly Wool umpire plate pants and base pants to every college and high school game I officiated this year. These pants have seen 30 degree ice and 100+ degree sun. The Poly Wool pants do not seem to suffer from the same fading problems of previous Honig’s models.

Despite the label directions, I wash my Poly Wools in cold water after every wear. They are also dried on a permanent press cycle. I have been careful not to over-dry these pants, and there has been no sign of shrinking or unraveling.


Nutty Buddy

The Nutty Buddy is an essential piece of equipment.

Umpires are fond of telling the “took one to the jewels” stories. Hey, I think these stories are funny like the next guy, but you know what? I don’t have a story because I wear the Nutty Buddy. When I do get hit (it happens to us all), it is not serious – heck, it isn’t even uncomfortable! I hope Mark Littell makes a billion dollars from the Nutty Buddy because it is truly incredible.

I have worn the Nutty Buddy for two seasons. It has retained its shape and has not cracked or dented. It is not hot to wear and is comfortable even under extreme conditions. I put it on and forget about it.


Ump-Attire Ultimate Ball Bag

The Ump-Attire Ultimate Pro Style Umpire Ball Bag was introduced in 2009 and has been a big hit with umpires. Jim Kirk at Ump-Attire sent me one to review in March, 2009, and I purchased a second bag a little later to replace the Dry-Lo Ball Bag sold by Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring.

I have been very impressed with the Ultimate Ball Bag which boasts double stitching and a nylon interior. I have washed these bags a number of times in cold water and low heat dry cycle. There is no fading, no unraveling or fraying, and the Ultimate Ball Bag looks as good as new a year and a half later.


Wilson DaviShins Leg Guards / Diamond DLG-LITE Featherweight Shin Guards

I stopped using the Wilson DaviShins after testing the Diamond Featherweight Shin Guards. The Diamonds guards weigh a mere 13.5 ounces! While these guards are light and comfortable, I have experienced two issues with these guards worth noting. First, during an 18U summer “prospects” tournament I took a foul ball directly on the knee cap. The impact hurt, but was not disabling. My opinion is that the result of this impact was a little more serious than I have experienced with other shin guards. This is likely a result of the loose-fit design around the knee.

The second issue also involves the loose-fit design at the knee. I typically wear long compression shorts that cover my knee cap. However, whenever I do not wear a covering on my knee, the shin guard rubs at my knee and is irritating in the 90+ degree heat.


Wilson West Vest Platinum Chest Protector

I have worn my Wilson Platinum chest protector for three years. This protector scored best in my “amateur scientist” drop test and I can attest to its protective qualities. It is built like a tank.

After three years and hundreds of games, the buckles are starting to rust. I spray my Platinum CP with Lysol after every use and it does not seem to retain odor.


Reebok Field Magistrate Plate Shoes

I get more questions about my Reebok plate shoes than any other equipment. I was a big fan of the New Balance MU450MK plate shoes until I tried the Reebok. This shoe is very comfortable and has proven very durable. It has not separated in any area from use. I have not experienced an impact that is noteworthy. Unlike the Reebok, a few years ago I took a foul ball off the toe of my New Balance MU450MK plate shoes and it hurt!

I use Scrubbing Bubbles and Armour All leather wipes before every game and my shoes look good. I have been wearing these shoes for over a year for every plate assignment and they are still going strong!


Bottom Line

All of the choices for last year’s U.M.P.Y Awards have proven very durable. There were a few noteworthy observations, but overall I have been very impressed with these products.

Review of 2010 Wilson Shock 2.0 FX Titanium Umpire Helmet

This weekend I had the special privilege of testing the new and improved 2010 Wilson Shock 2.0 FX Titanium Umpire Helmet. Wilson Sporting Goods generously sent me a new Shock 2.0 FX Titanium (WTA5590) to try out, and Jacquie Rooney of Wilson has been absolutely fantastic in answering all of my questions.

The Hype
As we all know, very little safety information regarding umpire gear is available to the general public. However, Wilson is one company that places an emphasis on umpire safety (Wilson is the Official Umpire Gear of Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball). In fact, Jim Kirk, owner of Ump-Attire, reports in a recent article on the new Shock FX 2.0 that "the Shock FX helmet was designed initially for only umpires' use[.]" How great is it that a major sporting goods company considers umpire safety a priority instead of an after-thought?

The most significant design feature of the Shock FX is its floating cage. The Shock FX uses six isolators to diffuse the energy from an impact to the cage. Four of these isolators are little pistons (what many of us call "mini shock absorbers") and gives the Shock FX a unique look.

Wilson claims that "[i]nternal lab testing showed that the Wilson Shock FX mask and helmet systems reduced impact forces to the head by up to 50% in a 60-inch direct impact drop test, when compared to a traditional helmet." The promotional video below from Wilson's website is very impressive:

Note the pistons compress and the cage absorbs the impact. Less of the ball's energy is transferred to your head!

The Shock FX uses vents throughout the helmet and a moisture wicking liner to keep your noggin cool and dry.

The 2010 Shock FX 2.0 has been redesigned with the following improvements:

• the helmet is one inch longer top to bottom;
• the frame sets closer to the mask for increased visibility;
• the pistons have been strengthened to prevent damage from side impacts; and
• the cage welds have been strengthened at key locations.

Field Test
Right out of the box I was concerned that I had not received the titanium cage. As you can see by the photos, the cage is a dark gray. I was assured that this is the new titanium finish. I was also impressed with the weight of the helmet. My postage scale confirms that it is 39 ounces. That is lighter than the All-Star MVP3000TI Titanium Umpire helmet that is advertised at 42 ounces.

The Shock FX 2.0 is only offered in one size: 7 - 7-5/8". I wear a 7-1/2" cap, so I was a little apprehensive that the larger size would not fit my big head, however the straps adjusted easily and the fit was very comfortable. I have seen MLB umpire Ed Hickox wear a cap under his Shock FX helmet, but I couldn't comfortably fit a cap inside. The leather pads at the chin and forehead are soft, and the moisture wicking pads are well-placed.

This next part was unexpected. I took some measurements and compared the Shock FX 2.0 to the Diamond DFM-UMP Silver traditional mask. The eye opening of the Shock FX 2.0 is 1/8" wider and the frame is 3/4" closer to my face. The field of vision really is better with the Shock FX 2.0 than with a traditional (non-low profile) mask.

On the field the mask was removed quickly and without issue. The vents kept my head cool - noticeably cooler than when wearing my Richardson wool cap behind the dish! I worked a 18U fall ball game and took one dirt-glove-mask impact and didn't feel a thing. The impact was substantial enough that it left me impressed with the Shock FX and its safety features.

Price
The 2010 Wilson Shock FX 2.0 Titanium Umpire Helmet is currently offered by the following on-line retailer:

Ump-Attire for $219.95 (pre-ordering)

The Bottom Line
The simple fact that Wilson has made it a priority to improve umpire safety rates this product an absolute ten. While a hockey helmet will not protect from every kid of impact, a helmet offers side protection that a traditional mask lacks, and the Wilson Shock FX provides shock absorption that will help prevent concussions from impacts to the cage. The Shock FX offers a blend of comfort and protection that really is first rate.

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UPDATE

Epic Sports is now selling the Wilson Titanium Helmet for $196.49