I need to purchase a new mask and chest protector any suggestions on a good site and what type is best for high school baseball?
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welcome to the site!
as far as gear goes, you will find as many opinions as there are umpires. The one thing that we all seem to agree on is that you need to buy the best protection you can afford. Speaking from experience, it has cost me far more money in upgrading gear over the years then it would have if I had purchased pro level gear to begin with.
That being said, my reccomendations are for HS varsity and above level baseball....I reccomend the West Vest line of chest protectors...I wear the West Vest Platinum...I have taken shots from 90+ and not felt a thing....I also have a Honigs K1, but only wear it for anything sub HS varsity..
As for masks, I am a traditional mask wearer...I do not wear the helmet. I have 2... a +pos lightweight single bar in black and a Honigs lightweight single bar in Navy...Masks are very important, and as such you can spend a great deal of money on them.....depending on the type you opt for, the Wilson WV line..Honigs are all good choices......you can go titanium for big bucks if you wish......
I would recommend talking to your HS association to see what they recommend....
as to sites....I have bought from all these with good results
gerrydavis.com
honigs.com
lesters upstates sports
but do your homework and seek out deals.... the prices can really vary...and dont forget ebay......
best of luck and welcome to the site...
as far as gear goes, you will find as many opinions as there are umpires. The one thing that we all seem to agree on is that you need to buy the best protection you can afford. Speaking from experience, it has cost me far more money in upgrading gear over the years then it would have if I had purchased pro level gear to begin with.
That being said, my reccomendations are for HS varsity and above level baseball....I reccomend the West Vest line of chest protectors...I wear the West Vest Platinum...I have taken shots from 90+ and not felt a thing....I also have a Honigs K1, but only wear it for anything sub HS varsity..
As for masks, I am a traditional mask wearer...I do not wear the helmet. I have 2... a +pos lightweight single bar in black and a Honigs lightweight single bar in Navy...Masks are very important, and as such you can spend a great deal of money on them.....depending on the type you opt for, the Wilson WV line..Honigs are all good choices......you can go titanium for big bucks if you wish......
I would recommend talking to your HS association to see what they recommend....
as to sites....I have bought from all these with good results
gerrydavis.com
honigs.com
lesters upstates sports
but do your homework and seek out deals.... the prices can really vary...and dont forget ebay......
best of luck and welcome to the site...
Welcome bb.
A friend of mine owns www.thesportsloft.com
Put him on your list of places to shop. Chuck DeCarbo is an honest man with a commitment to service (and an official in 5 sports).
If that plug was against forum rules, let me know and I'll cease from issuing future endorsements.
A friend of mine owns www.thesportsloft.com
Put him on your list of places to shop. Chuck DeCarbo is an honest man with a commitment to service (and an official in 5 sports).
If that plug was against forum rules, let me know and I'll cease from issuing future endorsements.
Dash, not at all. He asked where to go and you answered. The only thing we would have a problem with is a supplier putting a straight ad up. I don't even see a problem with putting a site link in a signature.
The sites that PIAA and Dash have given you are good people to deal with. Cat-sports.com is a good place to buy West Vest gear. They are the cheapest I have seen. I would also suggest going to ABUA to check the gear section, there are many threads about different gear and suppliers. Ebay can be a source but be careful there, there is as much junk and a few good kernels.
The sites that PIAA and Dash have given you are good people to deal with. Cat-sports.com is a good place to buy West Vest gear. They are the cheapest I have seen. I would also suggest going to ABUA to check the gear section, there are many threads about different gear and suppliers. Ebay can be a source but be careful there, there is as much junk and a few good kernels.