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Online now: 4 members: BH44, TABLE SETTER 11, ace42850, just joe; 87 anonymousDiscussion: Pitchers Chest Protection
| Posted | Discussion |
| April 8, 2017 Chief144 Men's 70 160 posts | Pitchers Chest Protection I have seen many pitchers using a form of chest protection. Any thoughts on which may be the best. I am a fairly large "target", 6'2, 215 & am thinking about getting some sort of protection. I also TD at times & might need it sometime! LOL I would like to hear from others who use chest protection, what you think & where to get something. Thanks Chief |
| April 8, 2017 DieselDan Men's 75 601 posts | Try on some of the youth/HS age catcher chest protectors. You don't need the shoulder covers, just the area above your waist. They will be lighter than an umpires chest protector, but should protect you. Adult sized soccer shin guards should be ok. If you run for yourself, then you want something that is easily removed. |
| April 9, 2017 titanhd Men's 60 638 posts | I don't pitch but, played with a guy that uses Paintball chest protectors.They are available in a variety of styles and are not very expensive.The style he used was very portable as well.Quick on and off between innings. Just a sugesstion... |
| April 9, 2017 marcster13 102 posts | There are some nice sternum protector shirts around. Do a Google search. Much less cumbersome than a full chest protector. |
| April 9, 2017 Downs 60 posts | CHIEF 144. I shopped for quite a while to find what I felt was adequate protection for a chest protector that would meet my personal needs as a softball pitcher. A victim of heart failure and equipped with an ICD (Implanted Cardio Defib.) between my left armpit and left collarbone. Looked at surfer's protection, catcher protectors, softball protectors, and every thing else I could find on the web. Ended up with a lightweight vest that has large open arm areas, designed to be worn under a jersey, short enough to cover the stomach, but not below the waist into the pants. It protects my ICD area, my collarbones, and chest. It is a lightweight body armor vest, does not hinder my movements or interfere in any way with pitching or throwing overhand. It is a vest that covers some of my back while the sides are totally open except for a small elastic band that is attached to the back at the bottom of each side and pulls to the front and attaches with Velcro. It has ventilation holes and is very flexible. It is a Fox Titan Sport Subframe for BMX & MTB riders. Check with Revzilla.com on the web for photo and specs, or call free 1-800-766-7269. Their specs read: A standard set up for back, spine, and torso protection, rated for mountain bike, BMX, ski and snowboard. Available for men, women, and youth sizes. I'm extremely pleased as it is lightweight, flexible, and comfortable to wear and pitch, field, or throw overhand, without any interference. Hope this helps and good luck. Jim - WA. |
| April 9, 2017 Omar Khayyam 1357 posts | Downs, what a wonderful, informative post! One of the best in the history of this blog. Many a pitcher should be grateful to you and your research! |
| April 10, 2017 sbswat24 Men's 50 15 posts | When i was pitching I would wear an EVO SHIELD chest protector, its like a compression T-Shirt and you slide the protective plate (once its formed to your body) into the shirt. It protects the heart and the ribs. Very comfortable and you don't realize its even there. |
| April 10, 2017 Chief144 Men's 70 160 posts | Thanks for all of the info! I will look at a couple of different options. Don't think I will have anything by Vegas, but hope so, Downs: your info was great,very informative! Thanks again, Chief |
| April 10, 2017 Chief144 Men's 70 160 posts | Jim, are you the Jim Downs from Fresno? If you are I play with several players who used to play fast pitch with you. Never played fast pitch but umpired many games at Holmes & Romain. I manage/play the Game On 70M team. Chief |
| April 10, 2017 Downs 60 posts | CHIEF 144: Boy a guy sure has to be careful. Yes, the same Jim Downs from Fresno. Was the ASA Metro UIC, Fresno State's UIC for 12 years, UIC for 10 Div 1 & II Women's College World Series, fastpitch pitcher, and with Fresno Fire Dept for 32 years and SeaTac, WA Fire Chief for 8 more years. Still trying to learn how to play softball and been playing for 72 years and playing 80's this year. I see a number of the old fastpitch players from Fresno at many of the tournaments and I've been asked if I was interested in playing with them. They are a great bunch of guys and good players too. Tell them I said Hi and hope to see them more this year, Reno, CA, Vegas, and St. Geo. Now, I'm sure if you are interested in the Fox Titan protective vest after you look it up in the web, that if you call them they should be able to send it to assure delivery prior to your leaving for the S/W Championships if you ask them to expedite. Also, if not up to your standards or you don't like it, it can be returned. Omar Khyyam, thanks for your kind words. Being an ex-Fireman for 40 years, personnel safety has always been a personal and professional priority. Thanks again. Jim D. |
| April 10, 2017 Chief144 Men's 70 160 posts | Jim, I found the same protector on Amazon for the same price. It will be delivered on Wed. Ed Daniels is my driving/room mate most of the time. ISt Geo last year. R u going to Vegas next week? I'll be sure to say hi for you. I spend a lot of time in the SeaTac area, Burien, as my wife is from Tacoma. Thanks for the info & I'll let you know how it goes. Take care, Chief |
| April 10, 2017 Downs 60 posts | CHIEF 144: Glad I could help and hope it works out as well for you as it does for me. If you want to contact me, you can obtain my email address and/or phone number from Don & Pat Rose, Ed Daniels, or Ike Pursell. I'm usually in some sort of contact with all three. Good luck in Vegas and you couldn't find a greater person or player than you have in Ed Daniels. Ann & I think the world of him. Best of luck. Jim D. |
| April 11, 2017 Jethro Men's 60 60 posts | all well and good....but what is it like to hit in?? |
| April 12, 2017 Chief144 Men's 70 160 posts | Jethro, I'll let you know after Vegas next week. Chief |
| April 12, 2017 Downs 60 posts | JETHRO & CHIEF 144: I am very pleased to see the latest response from Chief144 sent today. I thought I had pretty thoroughly addressed the key concerns I had when I was shopping for an adequate chest protector. It is obvious that NO ONE product will ever satisfy all the needs and specifics for everyone. We each need to determine our own priorities and like I said, this item met my personal needs. With the totally open sides, it allows for a comfortable fit and great mobility. I have experienced no adversity when swinging a bat. However, up here in the N/W I have not had an opportunity to wear it in 100+ degree heat. Now, ask me about rain because this year I am getting to be an expert. As to your needs, I have two suggestions. 1). I was going to suggest you contact Chief144 and ask him to convey his experience with the vest upon his return from the S/W Championships in Las Vegas next week. 2). If swinging in the vest is your ONLY major concern, order one that can be returned if not satisfied, put it on at home and go outside and swing your bat as much as you desire. If not satisfied, pack it up and send it back. I'm sorry I cannot determine just what may prove to be the very best for everyone. All I can say is that it was the best product that offered adequate safety to meet my personal safety needs and concerns. Wish you a safe and productive 2017 season and like you, I look forward to Chief144's personal experience and product assessment. I am satisfied I purchased the best protection for myself and my personal safety. Good luck. Jim |
| April 12, 2017 Chief144 Men's 70 160 posts | DOWNS & JETHRO...Received it today & have tried it on & have been swinging a bat. I am going to wear it tonight in my local league game & see how it goes. As I said above, I found it on Amazon, ordered it on Apr 10 & received it today. Jim, thanks for your input & Ed says hi & thanks for the + comments.. We play against each other tonight!! More to follow, Chief, Win, Ret AF |
| April 12, 2017 Chief144 Men's 70 160 posts | I just finished my league game wearing the chest protector. It didn't bother me at all, pitching or fielding. As for batting I was 3/4 & hit the ball hard. Didn't notice the vest at all even while running the bases. Oh, we won 21-10. Did not get hit by any balls, which is ok by me!! I'm sure that test will come someday. More to follow next week in Vegas, but for now it's everything DOWNS said it was! Thanks, Chief |
| April 12, 2017 Downs 60 posts | Now that really deflates my pride. I'm on my way to packaging up the Fox Titan that Rezvilla sent me because it must be defective. The one I have does not hit that well or run that fast. I was assured they only come in one model. yet the funny thing is that Chief 144 says he is 6'2" and 215 lbs, while I'm 6'1" and weigh 158, and yet we both have the Lg/XLg size. I think that is because of the large side openings which also allows the body to freely swing a bat as well as permit the flexibility necessary for fielding. I'll check to see if they can find a faster running and harder hitting one for me personally in their warehouse. Seriously, glad to hear that it works for you because it is obvious that it's probably not for everyone. Let us know how it does in Vegas. Good to hear from you. Thanks and good luck. Jim |
