The UMPouch

http://www.parkmark.net

On a regular weekend these are about to be folded and crammed into the side pocket of my bulging equipment bag, but not this weekend - they are going to be placed in neatly into The UMPouch made and distributed by a Canadian company, Park Mark Manufacturing.

The UMPouch is one of series of "Park Mark" sports organizers, designed for designed for use in the bench area or dugout while playing softball, t-ball, slo-pitch, baseball and fastpitch. It is a lightweight, durable, and waterproof nylon pouch that hangs easily on any fence. It provides a means to store your personal belongings - keys, glasses, tournament forms etc. while also enabling you to hang other items - for example. a water bottle, jacket and towel via the hang-bar, with its loop and hooks design.

The "snap-flap" design, keeps all of your personal belongings safe and secure inside the pouch, away from the elements until they're needed. My black UMPouch measures approximately 10" by 14" so it easily accomodates the papers without folding. It has two snap closers providing a closed, nothing drops out, bag for the numerous small items I am carrying to the diamond

Off on the trek to the back diamond. My pockets are not holding the extra indicator, car keys, flip coin, and batting ring I carry to each game. The pitching forms and coach information sheets are not flying from my hands. Everything is tucked neatly into one UMPouch which I clip the to the backstop fence, just behind the on-deck circle, slide my water bottle into the loop, and we are ready to go.

It rains ... they said it was waterproof ... it is waterproof. All of the forms remain dry, my dinner ticket does not reduce itself to mush, and the hook on the UMPouch holds a towel one of the managers threw to me. Instead of a collection of stuff on the ground, I have one neat location for everything I need, suspended on the fence where it cannot possibly interfere with any element of the game.

At only $12.00 (shipping extra - plus taxes in Canada only), this turned out not to be a "gimmick" but something I appreciate. Simple, effective and a great idea! It actually said to the players and the fans "Hey, this guy is organized!" and we all know how important that initial first moments can be. Umpires can personalize their pouch with their own mark and can also choose either red, black, silver, navy blue or grey. Umpire associations may wish to have their association logo/graphic silk-screened on.

For more information check out the Park Mark web site at : http://www.parkmark.net or email info@parkmark.net

Park Mark Mfg. is interested in finding out how you found out about their products, so let them know you saw it here.

- a four plus plate rating! (4/5)

Logo and photo provided courtesy of Park Mark Mfg.