By guest author: Pete Reiser
Buying used umpire equipment requires, as Will Ferrell's George Bush once said, "strategery." The purchase of some used items is just plain gross (e.g. a protective cup). The purchase of other used gear may be a smart move.
Mask
At first blush using someone else's mask sounds just nasty. However, an umpire mask is composed of two parts, the frame and the padding. Most most mask manufacturers make replacement pads. For instance, Diamond offers replacement pads for its widely popular DFM-UMP that sell for about $18. Most used masks on Ebay sell for around $15. If you can buy the mask for $15 and pop in new padding for $18.00, you can save a few dollars off the $60 retail price.
[editor's note: I have actually seen a new DFM-Ump on sale for as low as $35 online. It seems to me a little legwork on the internet is a better choice than buying used umpire equipment.]
Chest Protector
Let's face it: umpires sweat - a lot. Some umpires do not use undershirts (gross). Luckily some chest protectors are washable (e.g. Pro Nine Chest Protector CPU).
Leg Guards
Some leg guards are washable. Some leg guards can be disassembled for washing.
My opinion is that the above equipment can be purchased new for around $150. Used you may get it for $80. Personally I would rather pay the extra $70 for equipment that is my own and does not remind me of rotten fish. Use umpire equipment is generally not worth the savings. With that said, I would consider a great deal on an unblemished lightweight mask if I could replace the pads and save more than 50%.
Pete Reiser is an amateur baseball and softball umpire in the Midwest. Pete has umpired at various levels from 9U to NCAA Division I.
For more information about umpiring and equipment visit Pete's blog at
http://www.midwestump.blogspot.com
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Hello Baseball or Softball Friend,
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Have a great day, Nick