Last year, I wrote a post on suggested nominations. This year maybe I just provide my favorite suggestions strictly from my perspective.
Anything in All-Star umpire gear from the helmet on down to the shin guards. Those of you who know me know I'm a huge Wilson supporter, and I know Jacquie Rooney, product manager of Wilson will read this (Hi Jacquie) so I mention this with a little bit of heavy heart. Wilson has plans in the future, likely late 2012 or 2013, that may just change all of this, but right now the All-Star items have a lot of nice features we and you have not seen before.
There are those that love New Balance and those that love Reebok, and this year we definitely have had more Reebok lovers which makes sense over the older New Balance plate shoes. With the new New Balance shoes coming up, I'm very curious to see the thoughts on the new plate shoes. But on the new base shoes, I just think they are going to be a run away best seller because of the lighter weight and newer looks that will have an option with a silver N and white sole, not to mention new MLB logos.
The Majestic ThermaBase Umpire Jacket (no contest) which when we add the special order exclusive with black and white stripes that will make it more so.
We have to continue to go with Ump-Attire Ultimate Shirts, soon with now anti-microbial treatment in black, navy and powder. Then again, the Dalco pink shirt was just so very popular this year, and the response there was both great and nice.
Best Umpire Pants
Honig's hit a home run with their poly-wools, so much that we had to try to come up with something to compete there. We have a Made in the USA Ump-Attire product coming with a poly-wool fabric but with new features including an expandable waistband.
To each his own here. Could be anything there from the Rite-Temp products that we are still considering adding but have our questions, the Stay in the Game sweatband for Prostate Cancer Awareness just because of its intention to make a difference. Perhaps it could be the Team Wendy's pads that I do see people wearing, but I have not seen the technology or the anecdotal evidence from those who use it yet.
What am I missing?
8 comments:
Jim, do you think Nike will ever make their titanium mask available for retail purchase?
jim have to agree with all your choices except for the fact that so far all-star looks promising, but wilson is the established name. All star shin guards and cp look great, but they are not out yet so id go with wilson. as for accesory still love the ua ball bag and think that it is the best on the market, but the nutty buddy (which i believe isnt sold by any retailers) is great. have had it for 2 years now and am liking it better each time because i still have not taken any painful blows.
Aaron, I do not think that Nike will make that mask for retail. Titanium is so dang expensive. Besides, Nike doesn't do umpire gear per se.
Anonymous, no question about Wilson being the standard and most popular. They have such an ear out for new possibilities from people at all levels.
Thanks for your input on the accessories and thanks for the Ump-Attire bag suggestion for best accessory. I thought about mentioning it, especially the new XL bag just because it has some new features but I didn't want sound more promotional than I probably do sometimes.
The nutty buddy is not sold by retailers, you are right. We'd love to get our hands on it. Although it is one one of those products that some just love and some just do not like very much. I've never tried one. I actually prefer the least expensive Shock Doctor cup.
Jim,
Any time table for your poly wools?
January, sometime in January, hoping by the 16th.
Are your poly wools going to be closer to the GD charcoal or the lighter color of the Honigs?
Thanks for your question. The charcoal grey will be in the Honig's-Smitty standard.
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