Fortunately, you’re wearing the invention of this week’s Wild Business Growth Podcast guest, Jason Klein – the Defender mask. Jason is the Founder & Executive Chairman of Force3 Pro Gear and a former Minor League Baseball Umpire. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and your other favorite podcast platforms.

• Episode Summary & Player
• Show Notes
• Wild Business Growth Podcast Summary

Episode 167: Jason Klein – Catcher’s Mask Crew Chief, Founder of Force3 Pro Gear

Jason Klein, the Founder and Executive Chairman of Force3 Pro Gear, joins the show to share his journey from getting hit in the face as a Minor League Baseball Umpire to inventing the Defender catcher’s mask to minimize the risk of concussion. Hear how to design a product with safety as the priority, get early adoption by big names, expand into different product categories, Jason’s craziest product idea, and how it feels to throw someone out of a game. This episode covers everything from getting hit in the face to singing “Sweet Caroline” (BA BA BA). Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:

• What goes through your mind when you get hit in the face with a fastball
• Which element of the design makes the most impact on reducing concussions
• What were the steps in starting Force3 Pro Gear
• How much testing is involved with these products
• What were the biggest selling points to get MLB players to start using these masks
• The MaxBeverage!
• What tasks are the most relieving to delegate to a team member
• Just how great a magician is Jason

Connect with Jason at Force3ProGear.com.

Enjoy the shoooooow! Check out the show notes below for much more detail.

Show Notes

• Intro & Baseball Umpiring
  • [0:33] Email me at max@maxpodcasting.com to save time with your high-quality podcast and use it as a business-building tool
  • [0:43] Connect with Jason at Force3ProGear.com
  • [0:46] Freddy vs. Jason
  • [2:42] Shoutout Dad!
  • [2:47] Jason in The Wall Street Journal
  • [3:24] Let’s start with him getting hit in the face
  • [4:48] What goes through your mind when you get hit in the face with a fastball
  • [5:06] Little League
  • [6:04] How much time while Jason was umping was he thinking of this product idea
• The Force3 Pro Gear Story
  • [7:58] Products
  • [8:19] MLB (Major League Baseball)
  • [8:29] What were the steps in starting Force3 Pro Gear
  • [8:57] Marketing
  • [10:13] What were the biggest selling points to get MLB players to start using these masks
  • [10:50] Agents
  • [11:21] The Best Mask for Podcasting
  • [12:06] What was involved with designing the Defender Mask
  • [12:22] David Ross, Boston Red Sox
  • [13:33] Concussion
  • [13:53] Which element of the design makes the most impact on reducing concussions
  • [14:37] Can’t stop
  • [14:40] How much testing is involved with these products
  • [15:21] The Devil’s Advocate of Baseball, The Masochist Entrepreneur
  • [16:02] ESPN
  • [16:14] World Series Champions
  • [17:06] MLBPA (Major League Baseball Players Assocation)
  • [17:28] Kevlar
  • [17:30] Mysterious Materials?!?!
  • [17:33] How much testing of materials was there
  • [17:59] Yasmani Grandal
  • [18:25] Nonprofit
  • [18:49] What is the secret formula behind these product extensions
  • [19:47] Technology (Tech)
  • [19:54] What other sports is Jason considering creating products for
  • [20:27] Nice one, Jason!
  • [20:47] What has been the biggest challenge Jason’s been able to tackle
  • [21:02] Tyler Flowers, Atlanta Braves
  • [21:12] Minor League Baseball (MiLB)
  • [21:40] Save time with your high-quality podcast. Email me at max@maxpodcasting.com to bring your podcast to life and use it as a business-building tool

• Inspiration & Creativity: People, Hobbies, and Resources
  • [23:16] What can you do to be and stay creative
  • [24:10] Engineer, Metallurgist
  • [24:18] What’s a crazy product idea Jason had
  • [25:13] Beer Can Hat
  • [25:24] The MaxBeverage!
  • [25:31] BevMax
  • [25:34] Brand Partnership
  • [25:47] What other hobbies does Jason have
  • [26:24] How much baseball does he watch these days
  • [26:42] NLDS (National League Division Series), Los Angeles Dodgers
  • [26:52] Zinger
  • [27:02] Tweet
  • [27:23] What tasks does Jason focus on most of the week
  • [27:41] Business Degree, Sports Management Degree
  • [28:23] Entrepreneur, Startup
  • [28:27] What tasks are the most relieving to delegate to a team member
  • [29:05] “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers
• Wild Business Shoutout of the Week
  • [29:34] Creative Marketing
  • [30:36] Weight Watchers (WW)
  • [30:48] Bait & Switch
  • [30:46] What is it about that commercial that still brings a smile to Jason’s face
  • [31:08] Coke, Pepsi

• The Unusual: Pet Peeves, Quirks, and Weird Talents
  • [32:02] What’s Jason’s biggest pet peeve
  • [32:41] Always
  • [32:46] What’s a quirk Jason has
  • [33:27] “How am I funny?“
  • [33:38] What’s a weird talent Jason has
  • [34:08] That’s how great a magician he is
  • [34:25] Kenny Rogers, “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond
  • [34:38] He’s Jason Klein
• Rapid-Fire Q&A
  • [34:51] How’s it feel to eject someone from a game
  • [36:17] Rapid-Fire Question #2 lolol
  • [36:32] Turtle-Fire Q&A
  • [36:36] Freddy Mask
  • [36:56] Aroldis Chapman
  • [37:28] Connect with Jason at Force3ProGear.com
  • [37:58] That’s a wildly good compliment
  • [38:19] What are Jason’s Final Thoughts
  • [38:52] Follow the Wild Business Growth Podcast and tell a friend about the podcast
  • [39:05] Check out the Wild Business Growth Podcast on GoodPods, where you can see what your favorite people are listening to
  • [39:12] Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn at @MaxBranstetter
  • [39:19] Save time with your high-quality podcast. Email me at max@maxpodcasting.com to bring your podcast to life and use it as a business-building tool
  • Theme music: Freestyle Percussion Magik – “Jungle Tribe” – provided by Jamendo

What is the Wild Business Growth Podcast?

Wild ideas. Wild growth. Every Wednesday morning a new entrepreneur or innovator joins the Wild Business Growth Podcast to share the crazy creative and unusual ways they grew their business, and provides tips for you to do it, too. Hear the woman who became the voice of Siri, the man who’s reinventing the sandcastle, how GaryVee’s partners are turning the wine world upside down, and more wild stories. Hosted by Max Branstetter (that’s me), Founder and Podcast Producer at MaxPodcasting.

How do you start a podcast?

Interested in starting a professional-sounding podcast for your brand, but don’t want to deal with the time commitment of all those behind-the-scenes details? I’ve got you covered. Email me at max@maxpodcasting.com to save time with your high-quality podcast and use it as a business-building tool.

Thanks for listening to Jason Klein on the Wild Business Growth Podcast. To hear more Wild stories like this one every Wednesday morning, follow the Wild Business Growth Podcast and tell a friend about it. Maybe they’ll make you sing karaoke in return. But maybe not. Until next time, Let your business Run Wild…and Bring on the Bongos!!

What is the Wild Business Growth Podcast?

Wild ideas. Wild growth. Every Wednesday morning a new entrepreneur or innovator joins the Wild Business Growth Podcast to share the crazy creative and unusual ways they grew their business, and provides tips for you to do it, too. Hear the woman who became the voice of Siri, the man who’s reinventing the sandcastle, how GaryVee’s partners are turning the wine world upside down, and more wild stories. Hosted by Max Branstetter (that’s me), Founder and Podcast Producer at MaxPodcasting.

Episode 130: Tim Timmons – MLB Umpire, All-Star for UMPS CARE

Tim Timmons, the MLB Umpire, joins the show to share his journey from growing up loving baseball to umpiring in the big leagues for over two decades, including the World Series, several playoff series, and multiple All-Star Games. Hear his most memorable moments on the field, the lessons he’s learned from baseball, how he partners with UMPS CARE, questions from Wild Listeners and the Tim Timmons Fanclub, and an ejection that belongs in Cooperstown. This episode covers everything from the impact of Tim’s father to the funniest thing Tim’s seen happen on a baseball field. Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:

• What were sports like for Tim growing up
• What was the moment he got called up to the big leagues
• How do you keep your focus with so many people yelling at you
• How do you become an MLB Umpire
• What does UMPS CARE mean to Tim
• What was the most memorable moment of his career
• What does Progressive get right with their commercials
• What is it like ejecting someone from a game

Donate to UMPS CARE at UmpsCare.com.

Enjoy the shooooow! Check out the show notes below for much more detail.

Show Notes

• Intro & Growing up With Baseball
  • [0:23] I was not meant to be an umpire
  • [0:37] Email me at max@maxpodcasting.com to save time with your high-quality podcast and use it as a business-building tool
  • [0:47] “Who’s on First?” by Abbott & Costello
  • [0:53] Donate to UMPS CARE at UmpsCare.com
  • [1:56] MLB (Major League Baseball)
  • [2:34] Thank you Amy from UMPS CARE!
  • [2:43] Thank you Danny aka The Big D! Tim Timmons Fanclub
  • [3:30] Facebook
  • [3:42] What were sports like for Tim growing up
  • [3:51] R.I.P. Jack Timmons
  • [4:28] Muskingum University, New Concord, OH – Shoutout Ohio!
  • [4:43] Did all MLB Umpires used to play baseball
  • [5:14] Umpire School, Central Ohio Baseball Umpire Association, London High School
  • [6:00] The Ohio State University
  • [7:05] Minor Leagues, Spring Training
  • [7:20] How many people are in the Tim Timmons Fanclub
  • [8:07] Did Tim take an officiating view to sports as a kid
  • [9:37] Double-A (AA)
  • [9:57] Obstruction, Interference, Shoutout Leslie!
  • [11:52] NFL (National Football League)
  • [12:02] Business
• Becoming and Being an MLB Umpire
  • [12:41] When did Tim know he could become an MLB Umpire
  • [13:42] Dentistry, Accounting
  • [15:46] Real Estate
  • [15:57] Per Diems
  • [16:29] Triple-A (AAA)
  • [16:49] ER (Emergency Room)
  • [18:00] How similar are the Minor Leagues for players and umpires
  • [18:36] Association of Minor League Umpires (AMLU) – Union
  • [20:48] Big Leagues
  • [21:13] Podcast Editing
  • [21:54] Pine Tar
  • [22:42] Beach Cologne from Seinfeld
  • [23:30] What was the moment Tim got called up to the big leagues
  • [23:38] Montreal Expos
  • [23:55] The Godfather Theme
  • [24:32] Arizona Instructional League, Arizona Fall League
  • [25:00] Home Plate (literally)
  • [26:12] Single-A (A)
  • [27:12] Errors
  • [27:47] What is the biggest challenge as an umpire
  • [29:36] Knuckleballer
  • [31:09] Randy Johnson vs. Tim Wakefield, Fenway Park
  • [31:14] Batter’s Eye
  • [31:36] How do you keep your focus when so many people hate you
  • [32:57] Comedy
  • [33:32] Crowd Noise
  • [34:14] Save time with your high-quality podcast. Email me at max@maxpodcasting.com to bring your podcast to life and use it as a business-building tool

• UMPS CARE Charities
  • [35:07] What is UMPS CARE
  • [35:33] BLUE for Kids
  • [36:03] Build-A-Bear
  • [37:05] UMPS CARE Scholarships
  • [37:22] Undergraduate, Tuition, Charity
  • [38:41] What does UMPS CARE mean to Tim
  • [39:09] SportsCenter
  • [39:17] 2018 World Series, Boston Children’s Hospital
• Fan Questions from Wild Listeners & The Tim Timmons Fanclub
  • [42:00] Carrie Reagh: What is your favorite guilty pleasure during a game?
  • [42:41] Jackhammer
  • [43:12] Graduate School (Grad School)
  • [43:42] Engineering, Media Collaborative, Stand-Up Comedy
  • [44:38] Danny Berman: Have you ever had to go to the bathroom during a game?
  • [45:13] Danny Schneider aka The Big D: What has been your most memorable moment as an umpire?
  • [45:21] First MLB Game in China, 2019 All-Star Game
  • [45:57] Jersey Shore
  • [46:13] Airbus 320
  • [46:38] Homeland Security, FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), Local Police, State Police
  • [46:58] Crew Chief
  • [47:28] Honor Guard
  • [47:38] Lineup Cards, Ground Rules
  • [50:08] Leon Chen: How was umpiring Randy Johnson’s 300th win?
  • [50:51] Deportment
  • [51:25] Adam Dunn
  • [51:37] Manny Acta
  • [52:06] How big and intimidating was Randy Johnson
  • [52:58] Goose Gossage
  • [53:47] Trevor Bauer, Gyroball
  • [53:54] Will Zimmerman aka Wild Bill: Do you think you’re the only umpire with a fanclub?
  • [53:59] Mat Wylie aka Mat the Cat: How does it feel to have a fanclub led by a guy named The Big D?
  • [55:18] Mark McGwire
  • [55:56] St. Louis Cardinals
  • [57:13] Porsche
  • [57:32] Columbus, OH
  • [57:55] Tim Timmons: Accomplished Alliteration All-Star

• Wild Business Shoutout of the Week
  • [58:35] Creative Marketing
  • [58:45] GEICO, Progressive, “Dr. Rick – Group Outing“
  • [58:59] Phil Marcus, David Haber, and Ben Haber on the Wild Business Growth Podcast
  • [59:24] NCIS, Law & Order
  • [59:36] “Dr. Rick – Methods” (No Cussin’, No Fussin’)
• Rapid-Fire Q&A
  • [1:01:40] What is the funniest thing Tim’s seen happen on the baseball field
  • [1:01:55] Lloyd McClendon
  • [1:03:18] Dugout
  • [1:03:29] What were the coldest and hottest games Tim ever umpired
  • [1:03:48] Paul Byrd Snow-Hitter, Rick Reed, Mike Hargrove
  • [1:04:48] Heat Exhaustion, Umpire Cooling System
  • [1:05:02] Chest Protector
  • [1:05:16] How many miles does Tim run a day
  • [1:06:12] What Weird Talent does he have
  • [1:06:35] Raconteur
  • [1:06:43] Vintage Porsche
  • [1:07:34] What was going through Tim’s mind the first time he ejected someone in the big leagues
  • [1:07:57] Jimmy Piersall, Podcast, Google
  • [1:10:17] Donate to UMPS CARE at UmpsCare.com
  • [1:11:13] What are Tim’s final thoughts
  • [1:11:20] Tim throws me out!!
  • [1:11:56] Subscribe to the Wild Business Growth Podcast and tell a friend about the podcast
  • [1:12:04] Check out the Wild Business Growth Podcast on GoodPods, where you can see what your favorite people are listening to
  • [1:12:09] Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn at @MaxBranstetter
  • [1:12:13] Save time with your high-quality podcast. Email me at max@maxpodcasting.com to bring your podcast to life and use it as a business-building tool
  • Theme music: Freestyle Percussion Magik – Jungle Tribe – provided by Jamendo

How do you start a podcast?

Interested in starting a professional-sounding podcast for your brand, but dreading the time commitment? I’ve got you covered. Email me at max@maxpodcasting.com to save time with your high-quality podcast and use it as a business-building tool.

Thanks for listening to Tim Timmons on the Wild Business Growth Podcast. To hear more Wild stories like this one every Wednesday morning, subscribe to the Wild Business Growth Podcast and tell a friend. Until next time, Let your business Run Wild…and Bring on the Bongos!!