Plate shoes / Base shoes

[danicol12]

I am just starting into baseball umpiring, and I'm wondering if I need both plate shoes and base shoes, or if one can serve as the other. Please advise!

[djs_net]

I am just starting into baseball umpiring, and I'm wondering if I need both plate shoes and base shoes, or if one can serve as the other. Please advise!

Plate shoes are a must for protection purposes, especially at the higher levels.

Technically, you could wear plate shoes while on the bases but it looks ridiculous. If you want to be taken seriously, invest in both.

[CoachJM]

danicol,

Yes, you do need two different pairs of shoes, one for the plate, and a different pair for the bases. No, one pair cannot suffice for both, which I say in full knowledge that there are shoes marketed as "combo" shoes.

Spend your money on the plate shoes. I use the New Balance 450s, which I heartily endorse. Though I understand that the Reebok and Tanel Plate shoes are also quite popular with those who wear them.

You can "scrimp" on the base shoes when starting out, as pretty much any black "athletic" shoe (which does NOT have cleats/spikes on the bottom - just trust me) will do.

JM

[danicol12]

Thanks so much, guys!

[kyle_jt]

Here's a tip, that I wished someone had passed on to me when I was starting out:

Buy pro gear.

I bought just okay stuff for the level of ball I was calling. Then I got hurt, got smart, and upgraded piece by piece. I ended up wasting a lot of money.

Two reasons to buy pro gear. Superior protection, and higher resale value.

[danicol12]

O.k., I've already bought stuff, and I wish I would've asked beforehand, but I was in a hurry! Thanks though, I'll definitely keep that in mind for replacement stuff. Thanks! Is there any brand you'd recommend?

[cajunyankee]

Agree completely.

The common practice is to buy low-level gear, find out why it's low-level, and then upgrade to mid-level gear, only to find out why it's mid-level. By the time we get to top-level gear, we've got several hundred dollars of lower-level stuff laying around.

Just buy the best stuff first, you won't need other gear, you'll be protected, and you'll actually save money.

I have all wilson gear and love it. WOn't go back to anything lower-level.

[cajunyankee]

Wilson. Plain and simple.

[lockdown199]

I bought gear last year and went with upper level Diamond equipment, shin guards and chest protector also got a wilson mask. The mistake I made was buying combo shoes. By mid season I bought a pair of base shoes and only used my combo shoes behind the plate. This year I bought a pair of Pentagon Patent leather plate shoes and can't wait to wear them. I was going to go buy the reebok 450 but I like the solid black look better.

[24sdad]

+1 to what kyle and cajun said regarding quality equipment.

NB plate and base shoes here. Everything else is Wilson. I finally listened to what others said here regarding pants...Honig Premium charcoal plate and base! I was cheap and originally bought "lesser" quality pants, but after wearing the Premium's this season there is no going back.

[fatump]

Here's a tip, that I wished someone had passed on to me when I was starting out:

Buy pro gear.

I bought just okay stuff for the level of ball I was calling. Then I got hurt, got smart, and upgraded piece by piece. I ended up wasting a lot of money.

Two reasons to buy pro gear. Superior protection, and higher resale value.

I agree buy the best you deserve it