Diamond Ump Lite Series Leg Guards 15.5" Reviews

5 Rating 2 Reviews

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About Gerry Davis Sports:

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“I'm thrilled with the superior protection these shin guards offer, especially around the ankles. As has been the case for the last 43 seasons (I started umpiring in 1981,) my difficulties in finding apparel and equipment that fit a petite woman have led me to devise some pretty improvisational fixes. I'd heard of using a heat gun to mold the plastic so the shin guards fit the legs snugly enough to provide adequate, comfortable protection, but I didn't have a heat gun, so I used the next best heat source: my oven! I set it on "Bake" at the lowest temperature, 170°, removed the parts attached to the shinguards with velcro, took the straps off, put them on a baking sheet so the ribs of the oven shelves wouldn't mark them or leave any strange indentations, and "baked" them for about ten minutes, checking them every three minutes to make sure they weren't melting, until I could feel by touch that the plastic was soft and bendable enough to mold around my shins without cracking. It worked like a charm! I secured the new shape by using rubber bands around each shin guard at both ends while they were cooling down. I wear base pants behind the plate because I swim in plate pants. They look ridiculous on my tiny frame, and my concern has always been finding shin guards that fit snugly enough that my narrower pants don't stick to the shin guards and wind up making me look like a stormtrooper instead of an umpire. Heating the Diamonds in the oven and molding them worked perfectly; my pants never get stuck on them even with all the crouching, kneeling, and bending I do during a plate game. I'm extremely gratified to have found a pair of shinguards that provide superior protection from foul balls and other potential injury-causing events while also fitting properly and helping me maintain a professional appearance, which for us women particularly is an important part of presenting ourselves as competent and capable. Thanks, Gerry, for carrying a brand of shin guards that works for us smaller umpires. Now, if you could just do the same with plate shoes....”

Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

“I bought these because my prior pair, while providing great protection, were wide in the knees, causing my pants to get caught up and not straighten when coming out of the crouch. The new Diamonds solved this problem. I wore them for a show case of softball players for the first time, and after 6 hours behind the plate, I found them very comfortable, but with good catchers, I took no pitches off my legs. Still waiting for the first hit to see if they protect well. I suspect they will.”

Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago