Despite working hard to create specialty items you won't find elsewhere, we wanted to add some items this year that were a little easier on the wallet, especially for the beginning umpire.
We already have what we feel are exceptional value in several categories such as shirts and pants from Smitty, under apparel from Diamond and caps from Richardson, but we wanted to try and have at least one item per category where you could find a great value. Here are 5.
3N2 Plate Shoes Expect about $10-20 less than New Balance and Reebok
Champro Starter Kit You can find starter kits out there for $10 less, but here you have more protection in the chest with the Pro-Plus instead of a ribbed style chest protector and a pro style ball bag instead of a smaller, vinyl one where the indicator and brush go on the outside.
Diamond Delta Wheeled Bag A really nice bag for over $30 or 40 less than other wheeled bags for umpires. I took this bag on a recent trip to Newark, New Jersey stuffed with umpire gear and liked it much more than even I had expected.
I have had a strong desire to meet with more umpire associations across the country. One association, based in Hazlet, New Jersey, the New Jersey Umpires Association called me recently to discuss a large order for their umpires.
We do a lot of business in New Jersey and just had a hunch about them that I offered to come up and meet them in person last week and get the bonus of also meeting with their association as a group at their pre-season weekly meeting.
I could not have had a better visit. From a personal standpoint, Bruce Tucker, president of the association, could not be a nicer guy who is as passionate about umpiring as anyone. Not only did he pick me up at the Newark airport, he did so with a sign in hand with "Jim Kirk" written on it, something I have never had the privilege of experiencing before.
Bruce invited me to his house to meet with him and assigner Anthony Fernicola. While there, his wife, Janet made us some excellent pasta, which is always the quickest way to my heart. I met his son and daughter Matt and Jamie who are also umpires, we all had dinner, great conversation and frankly was treated to made feel right at home. So a big thanks to the Tucker family for their hospitality.
During our meeting, I was able to show Bruce and Anthony some alternatives for his umpires from shirts to protective gear and ended up customizing a package that fit their needs.
The group meeting also went well providing me a chance to show the 50+ new umpires what their starter kit would entail as well as pointing up a few tips and safety pre-cautions.
When the veterans showed up, I was happy to talk to so many who are customers, including Frank Vicenzo (pictured here on left), who I have talked to personally on the phone on more than one occasion.
Thanks again to the Tuckers, Anthony and the guys at the CJUA. Look forward to working with you guys and coming back next year. Best of luck with your season and the gear and clothing we're providing.
If anyone wants to invite me to their association meeting anytime and/or are looking for custom orders, please drop me line at jim@ump-attire.com. Food not required, but never a bad idea.
Although I was disappointed I could not attend the UMPS CARE Golf Classic personally in Phoenix, Arizona last month due to a family illness, I am happy we helped UMPS CARE raise $75,000 through our support.
This is our second year sponsoring the Golf Classic, and this year we were asked to sponsor its Closest to the Pin competition.
In photo are winners of the Golf Classic: (L-R) Joe Garagiola, Jr., Rick Doran, Frank Robinson, Damon Buford, Don Buford.
Other celebrities that showed up that I hate I missed included Jim McMahon and the fake umps from Toronto, which I find very interesting. Oh well, there is always next year as they say.
UMPS CARE Charities is the official charity of Major League Baseball umpires and its proceeds help ensure that umpires will be able to host more than a dozen events at children’s hospitals nationwide and provide tickets to more than 100 games at MLB parks across the country this year. Children coping with cancer and serious illness, and children from single-parent households or awaiting adoption will benefit from the annual fundraiser.
Other major contributors recognized included: We recognized along with: Major League Baseball, New Era Cap, the National Network of Digital Schools, SlateXP, Reeve-Knight Construction, World Umpires Association, and Creative Dimensions.
After reviewing our customer database today, I noticed how many more countries we shipped to in 2009 (47). Thank you to all of our customers, including those of you outside the U.S. in these countries:
This year we made 2 of 4 NCAA Umpire Clinics in Dallas and Atlanta, one more than last year and one less than we had planned. I regret that I had to cancel L.A. for a family illness, but we'll try again next year.
PLACES I had already discussed Dallas in a previous post, but Atlanta was very good for a variety of reasons including an excellent turnout that had me seeing several hundred more umpires, many of them familiar faces, than in Dallas as well as a great location in Atlanta's upscale Buckhead district.
PEOPLE It was especially nice seeing many of our local Louisville/KBUA umpires (Clarence, Anthony, Don, Scott and the gang) there as well as meeting some association heads including Ted Miller, Larry Davis, and Ron Asperger, head of the Northern Kentucky Baseball Umpires Association who had us up for a meeting this week. Enjoyed that Ron. Thanks.
Also saw Robert Rachlow again who I met in Chicago last year who wrote a review on the original Shock FX about 2 years ago. Also met several new umpires including many who stuck out from North Carolina, Arkansas and the Birmingham, Alabama area where we have a growing base after a competitor went out of business there a few years back and others I'm sure I have missed. For the Birmingham guys, sorry to you we could not fit a time that worked best for both us for a meeting this year.
And it's always nice talking to Tony Maners (pic below), who has umpired the College World Series the last 2 years and several prior and who has been very helpful in suggesting slight modifications to the waterproof features of our Ultimate Pro Style Umpire's Ball Bag.
THINGS Although we mainly go to these clinics to meet and talk with customers and potential ones instead of just selling things, I always like to share what everyone was interested in of the new things I brought. I would say that would be the new Reebok plate and base shoes first, Diamond masks with our logo second and Oakley sunglasses third.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2011 Next year, the word is that the Atlanta conference will be moved to Nashville while the Dallas one to Chicago, both closer for us. I'm looking forward to those as well and hoping the venue change will bring out some new faces as well as familiar ones.
After getting in stock a new Pro Nine helmet, I realized that our complete selection of hockey style umpire helmets was new for this year. I admit there was no diabolical plan for that, so that kind of sneaked up on me.
Note that we do not carry the Diamond DCH-Edge helmet any longer. Despite Diamond doing a great job with all their other umpire gear items, the helmet received a higher share of complaints than we were comfortable with regarding wear to the foam that lined the head. The Pro Nine helmet is very similar with the exception of having a more durable, higher density foam.
Lastly, we finally have some pics of both of the Shock FX 2.0s worn - something you'll only see here. Most important of those is the steel Shock FX 2.0, as everyone who sells it, including us, were using an outdated pic until now.
3N2 Plate Shoes
Champro Starter Kit
Diamond Delta Wheeled Bag
