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You're going to see alot of this.

The mask itself is quite good. It is an iconic planform with great visibility, and drastically lighter than the steel-based DynaLite. What sets it up as the best option – the "win-win!" – for several parties involved (Wilson, the umpires, etc.) is that Aluminum doesn't bend (or, it doesn't bend as easily or readily as steel or titanium). 

Titanium bends. It does. Granted, it takes a significant force to do so, but there are two traits to Titanium that have besmirched its magical appeal. The first is felt, quite literally, by the wearer – lacking the density of steel, and any dampening properties a dense structure brings to the equation, that assailing force is instantly transferred to the mask pads. So, the pads are carrying the entirety of the force load. And, umpires up and down the ranks and levels do not do a good job of buying or maintaining quality pads. In their defense, the construction of most mask pads are still in Medieval times.

The second is felt, very figuratively, in Wilson's wallet. This is the more insidious of the two events, because instead of addressing this challenge with a cohesive and comprehensive plan, Wilson instead dispatch their Umpire Trainer & Safety Staff Member* (UTSSM) stool pigeon to ward the lower ranks of umpires off of Titanium, claiming that Titanium masks are "dangerous" and are "linked to concussions" (both patently false). The real reason Wilson no longer wants Titanium masks in circulation is because they can't fix them, and it takes a significant amount of resources to replace them. How does Nike get away with it? Simple – Nike doesn't sell its iconic Titanium mask. Nike supplies it. By selling it, Wilson (and indeed Rawlings and All-Star) is transactionally obligated to do something about it when a mask "fails" (in this context bends... total failure is a different thing altogether). And, as we've discussed in several other posts and threads, to repair a bent Titanium shape requires the exact same (or greater) significant force applied. Wilson is not equipped to accommodate this, but they surely have strained their profit margins by either replacing bent DynaLite-Ti's or turning away users who have bent masks only to see them purchase / obtain someone else's mask (Force3, All-Star, etc.). 

This same UTSSM, just a few years ago, was galavanting around to the camps and schools, equipped with a Wilson Shock FX (how convenient) and proclaiming that all MiLB Umpires should use an HSM (he also claimed that an All-Star FM4000 was a titanium mask... which shows you how in Wilson's graces he is, and how knowledgeable he is about his job). Just recently, though, Wilson discontinued the Shock FX. Why? Because it too is a Customer Service / Warranty Issue nightmare. Its popularity (i.e. purchase appeal) amongst catchers was already marginal, but instead has plummeted, completely eclipsed by shaped HSMs from All-Star, Easton and Rawlings. The aggressive shaping of HSMs serve two purposes: 1) to minimize, deflect and distribute the assailing load upon the HSM's shell, and 2) to allow the user (catcher) to throw in the most effective and efficient manner possible without hinderance. This comes at a cost – the fit tolerances are such that taking the HSM on and off becomes more taxing. Most often, Pro / College / and now HS catchers are making plays with their HSMs on, afforded rather good visibility by minimalist bar / cage layouts that have been designed with visibility as the primary influence, robustness second.

What do we, as umpires, though, want us to do on a frequent basis when reading plays, making calls, and interacting with game participants? Take the mask off.
Take one look at the new Wilson Pro Stock HSM and you tell me how that's going to feel to take on and off, on and off several times in an inning, let alone over the course of a game.

The "DynAlum" mask isn't a gamechanger, so much as it is a "course corrector". Wilson is getting their lunch handed to them by All-Star and Easton, and the looming hand-over of MLB outfitting to UnderArmour is especially scaring Wilson to its core. Why's that? All-Star has demonstrated, time and time again, that it has the pulse of the Pro catchers (and the college and high school guys follow in droves); and who does All-Star have a partnership with? UnderArmour. There is a distinct possibility – nay, likelihood – that one day, very very soon, there will be a System 7 CP, with the UnderArmour logo visible at the neck of the Plate Umpire where once there was a West Vest and that (obnoxious) gold W.

All-Star has pursued a course of advanced shaping and advanced materials for their masks; they have not addressed aluminum, and instead are taking a significant step into cast magnesium alloy (identifying that welds add complexity, weight, and are more likely to break). It's (the FM4000) a really radical style that may not appeal to the majority of umpires. Thus, the "DynAlum" takes an "advanced#" material and casts it into an iconic style. This will certainly generate some buzz, some revenue, and keep Wilson relevant to umpires for a bit longer. To their credit, I don't see Nike trotting out anything like this (hope they would, but doubtful).

Now, to get the pads sorted out and done right. Somewhere, a phone in Ohio (Team Wendys HQ) should be ringing. Someone better call before TW drops mask pads entirely.

*UTSSM: Yes, this gentleman has a name; no, I will not name him here.

#: Can't really say "advanced" for masks, as Diamond went all-in on aluminum masks around 7 years ago.

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5 minutes ago, MadMax said:

Wilson is getting their lunch handed to them by All-Star and Easton, and the looming hand-over of MLB outfitting to UnderArmour is especially scaring Wilson to its core. Why's that? All-Star has demonstrated, time and time again, that it has the pulse of the Pro catchers (and the college and high school guys follow in droves); and who does All-Star have a partnership with? UnderArmour. There is a distinct possibility – nay, likelihood – that one day, very very soon, there will be a System 7 CP, with the UnderArmour logo visible at the neck of the Plate Umpire where once there was a West Vest and that (obnoxious) gold W.

This has crossed my mind too - that Under Armour does sell re-branded All-Star Equipment. What a jackpot that would be if Under Armour expands their new uniform agreement into equipment, now that they have a foot in the door.

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After 12 years of umpiring, the only piece of equipment that I still use from my umpire starter kit is the steel mask. 

2 hours ago, MadMax said:

... and drastically lighter than the steel-based DynaLite. What sets it up as the best option – the "win-win!" – for several parties involved (Wilson, the umpires, etc.) is that Aluminum doesn't bend (or, it doesn't bend as easily or readily as steel or titanium). 

Titanium bends. It does. Granted, it takes a significant force to do so, but there are two traits to Titanium that have besmirched its magical appeal. The first is felt, quite literally, by the wearer – lacking the density of steel, and any dampening properties a dense structure brings to the equation, that assailing force is instantly transferred to the mask pads.

 

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  • 1 month later...
On 4/14/2017 at 3:08 PM, MadMax said:

You're going to see alot of this.

The mask itself is quite good. It is an iconic planform with great visibility, and drastically lighter than the steel-based DynaLite. What sets it up as the best option – the "win-win!" – for several parties involved (Wilson, the umpires, etc.) is that Aluminum doesn't bend (or, it doesn't bend as easily or readily as steel or titanium). 

Titanium bends. It does. Granted, it takes a significant force to do so, but there are two traits to Titanium that have besmirched its magical appeal. The first is felt, quite literally, by the wearer – lacking the density of steel, and any dampening properties a dense structure brings to the equation, that assailing force is instantly transferred to the mask pads. So, the pads are carrying the entirety of the force load. And, umpires up and down the ranks and levels do not do a good job of buying or maintaining quality pads. In their defense, the construction of most mask pads are still in Medieval times.

The second is felt, very figuratively, in Wilson's wallet. This is the more insidious of the two events, because instead of addressing this challenge with a cohesive and comprehensive plan, Wilson instead dispatch their Umpire Trainer & Safety Staff Member* (UTSSM) stool pigeon to ward the lower ranks of umpires off of Titanium, claiming that Titanium masks are "dangerous" and are "linked to concussions" (both patently false). The real reason Wilson no longer wants Titanium masks in circulation is because they can't fix them, and it takes a significant amount of resources to replace them. How does Nike get away with it? Simple – Nike doesn't sell its iconic Titanium mask. Nike supplies it. By selling it, Wilson (and indeed Rawlings and All-Star) is transactionally obligated to do something about it when a mask "fails" (in this context bends... total failure is a different thing altogether). And, as we've discussed in several other posts and threads, to repair a bent Titanium shape requires the exact same (or greater) significant force applied. Wilson is not equipped to accommodate this, but they surely have strained their profit margins by either replacing bent DynaLite-Ti's or turning away users who have bent masks only to see them purchase / obtain someone else's mask (Force3, All-Star, etc.). 

This same UTSSM, just a few years ago, was galavanting around to the camps and schools, equipped with a Wilson Shock FX (how convenient) and proclaiming that all MiLB Umpires should use an HSM (he also claimed that an All-Star FM4000 was a titanium mask... which shows you how in Wilson's graces he is, and how knowledgeable he is about his job). Just recently, though, Wilson discontinued the Shock FX. Why? Because it too is a Customer Service / Warranty Issue nightmare. Its popularity (i.e. purchase appeal) amongst catchers was already marginal, but instead has plummeted, completely eclipsed by shaped HSMs from All-Star, Easton and Rawlings. The aggressive shaping of HSMs serve two purposes: 1) to minimize, deflect and distribute the assailing load upon the HSM's shell, and 2) to allow the user (catcher) to throw in the most effective and efficient manner possible without hinderance. This comes at a cost – the fit tolerances are such that taking the HSM on and off becomes more taxing. Most often, Pro / College / and now HS catchers are making plays with their HSMs on, afforded rather good visibility by minimalist bar / cage layouts that have been designed with visibility as the primary influence, robustness second.

What do we, as umpires, though, want us to do on a frequent basis when reading plays, making calls, and interacting with game participants? Take the mask off.
Take one look at the new Wilson Pro Stock HSM and you tell me how that's going to feel to take on and off, on and off several times in an inning, let alone over the course of a game.

The "DynAlum" mask isn't a gamechanger, so much as it is a "course corrector". Wilson is getting their lunch handed to them by All-Star and Easton, and the looming hand-over of MLB outfitting to UnderArmour is especially scaring Wilson to its core. Why's that? All-Star has demonstrated, time and time again, that it has the pulse of the Pro catchers (and the college and high school guys follow in droves); and who does All-Star have a partnership with? UnderArmour. There is a distinct possibility – nay, likelihood – that one day, very very soon, there will be a System 7 CP, with the UnderArmour logo visible at the neck of the Plate Umpire where once there was a West Vest and that (obnoxious) gold W.

All-Star has pursued a course of advanced shaping and advanced materials for their masks; they have not addressed aluminum, and instead are taking a significant step into cast magnesium alloy (identifying that welds add complexity, weight, and are more likely to break). It's (the FM4000) a really radical style that may not appeal to the majority of umpires. Thus, the "DynAlum" takes an "advanced#" material and casts it into an iconic style. This will certainly generate some buzz, some revenue, and keep Wilson relevant to umpires for a bit longer. To their credit, I don't see Nike trotting out anything like this (hope they would, but doubtful).

Now, to get the pads sorted out and done right. Somewhere, a phone in Ohio (Team Wendys HQ) should be ringing. Someone better call before TW drops mask pads entirely.

*UTSSM: Yes, this gentleman has a name; no, I will not name him here.

#: Can't really say "advanced" for masks, as Diamond went all-in on aluminum masks around 7 years ago.

I see you're still a "W" fan, Max!

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