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Here is the article from Jim Kirk: https://www.ump-attire.com/Blog/Jim-Goes-Parental-with-Umpire-Cap-Bill-Length-Warning-on-Umpire-Empire-Post I realize everyone's experience is different, but the AS Skully does not move on my head all game. I wear 7 3/8 or 7 1/2 hats and use the L version and mine stays right where I put it. I just don't like the too-short bill, but I realize it was built for the MAG. I am thinking of buying an Axis Pro for the longer bill. To fix any shiny helmets, I recommend a simple coat or two of $5 spray-on Matte finish by Rustoleum. I've used it on several in the past and it lasted me several seasons. Thank you for the post. This is very helpful and more discussion and info is needing shared on these. I wholly endorse wearing one and the more that we can put out there, the safer our peers can be.

I think you just changed my life while I wait for @MadMax to make the mother of all skull caps.

Here's where I care the most, Lovejoy... A multi-billion dollar professional sport directs – not "encourages", not "requests", directs – its umpires to wear a particular piece of equipment, and yes, I'll concede, they supply it... but that piece of equipment is not intended for said umpires, and to make matters worse, said multi-billion dollar professional sport does not hold the multi-billion dollar sports equipment company, with whom they have a "sweet ol' lady" deal, responsible to produce something for those umpires. That's where my cares sit. Literally, figuratively, metaphysically, rhetorically... take your pick. I will not ever sit there again and listen to a stool pigeon from "that company" ever, ever "impress" upon a group of umpires like that. Got it past me once, when I was a "younger" umpire.

We suspended our plate coat program August of last year. Changes in US economic policy no longer made it viable as a made to order product. We're looking into alternatives but it isn't a top priority for us so I don't expect us to resurrect in the near term.

If you are the umpire who made the call and the coach starts for your partner, tell (or yell to) the coach, "That's my call -- come talk to me!" The only time I let a coach go to my partner on a call I made is when I am working alone.

Disclaimer….there are a lot of opinions and personal feel here 😊 All Star Cobalt: The short brim fits with every mask on the market, so you don’t get the “direct bridge from mask to skull” effect. (If you’re not sure what I’m talking about, there’s an article floating around somewhere that talks about bill length being one of the biggest overlooked safety factors with skull caps.) The shell itself feels DURABLE. Solid. Not flimsy at all. Unfortunately, that also makes it super heavy. I think it’s around 16 ounces or so — several ounces heavier than the Easton, which I already thought was too heavy. “Oh but I’m tough and it doesn’t bother me.” Ok, I’m not. Try a lighter one and you’ll know what I’m talking about after 4 tournament games in 100* heat. Ventilation…..what ventilation? It doesn’t vent at all. It’s hot, and heavy. The padding is probably the best stock padding on any of these. Between this and the Easton, they’re the most comfortable internally. However, it does not hold the skull cap in place very well. The shape is almost like a cone — it just gradually opens outward from the top until the bottom edge. Some of the others have more of a long flat section so they sit on your head more like a cylinder, if that makes sense. This one moves around the most for me. I personally think this one looks stupid, and you can’t convince me it’s SO much safer than the others that I need to look like a dingus wearing it. Did I mention it’s hot and heavy? Jadekylin Skull Cap: This one looks the most like a regular hat, but the bill is WAY too long for probably any mask. Again, no scientific evidence here — just my experience with the All Star MAG and GD Mirage. If it’s too long for the GD Mirage, it’s probably too long for most others. The padding is pretty stiff, but not terrible if you get the right size. I’d wear this one if I had to wear a hardhat in the field for some reason. Rawlings Coolflo: These tend to fit “longer,” but not wider. Specifically with the All Star MAG- I originally thought the bill length was fine with the All Star MAG because I had taken several foul balls and never noticed the mask pushing back into the bill. Then I took one last year that literally left a line on my forehead where the skull cap got driven into my head. After that, I swapped back to the Easton for the rest of the season. One interesting thing: if you order different sizes, the actual shell size is exactly the same. The only difference is the amount/thickness of the padding inside. A Large measures the same inside length and width as a Small — the Large just has thinner padding. I assume this is probably indicative of other brands to save cost on mass producing many skull caps at once, but this is the only one that I actually measured before selling the others. To help the fit issue, I bought a set of Easton replacement batting helmet pads (NOT the actual Easton skull cap pads — and if anyone finds those, let me know because I’d LOVE them). I used one of the long oval pads in the back of the Rawlings to push my head slightly farther forward. I tried putting extra padding in the front for additional forehead protection, but it pushed the skull cap too far off my face and made the mask feel like it was floating out in front of me. Moving the padding to the back fixed that. I also hated the pleather pad feel on my forehead, so I added some bike helmet sweat-strip pads to the front. That helped with sweat dripping into my eyes and got rid of the pleather feeling on my forehead. This skull cap is actually lighter than both the All Star and the Easton, so I was eager to go back to it once I got the GD Mirage. It’s what I currently use. EvoShield: First problem: the bill was WAY too long. I actually had one of our maintenance guys mill it down a bit just to see if I could make myself like it…nope. I also hated the gloss finish, so this thing was fighting an uphill battle from the start. That said, I do think it was the lightest overall. If they made this in matte and shortened/shaped the bill a bit, I actually think it could be a decent skully. But that was never going to happen for me. The padding was similar to the Jadekylin — if you order the wrong size, you’re basically screwed. There isn’t a lot of forgiveness in the fit. If you’re within about a quarter hat size, you’re probably okay. But if it’s too tight, it’s REALLY too tight. Easton: I wore this one for a few years before switching to the Rawlings. The shorter bill worked well with the All Star MAG. The inside padding has a nice moisture-wicking layer around it and is SUPER comfortable. Very soft padding. Unlike the All Star though, this one actually stays in place well because the padding has more “give” and wraps your head better. Honestly, I’d love to somehow transplant this padding setup into the Rawlings shell. The two issues that eventually pushed me away from it were pretty significant: It’s heavy. Slightly lighter than the All Star, but still heavy. It’s HOT. It vents better than the All Star, but nowhere near as well as the Rawlings or some of the lighter options. A non-issue-issue….the forehead is raised higher than I’d like it to be, so I feel like it makes me look like a Brachiosaurus, or something. Personally, with the addition of the little padding, I like the Rawlings much more than any of the other options.

I wanna know... where's the jackass Umpire, who stood at the front of a classroom of 80 "student" umpires, and stated that "titanium is dangerous" (said while holding aloft an All-Star FM4000, which has never been rendered in titanium... or aluminum, for that matter)? Where is he? I hope #51 is alright, but the mask (frame itself) doesn't matter. What "saved" #51 was the TW pads, simply and truthfully. That and, #51's been doing this for quite awhile... make note, he may have "stumbled" back, but he (and his head) didn't snap back – that surprise or shock is what induces a concussion. I'll tell you this, too... if those had been Wilson pads, #51 would probably have had an impression of the bars on his face. They're way, way too squishy. Edit: And no, the "jackass Umpire" cited above is not #51. I sincerely hope #51 is AOK.

It's not your/our (as umpire) problem, but it is a Very Important Valid Procedural Question. VIVP...Q... At the plate meeting, prior to commencing the game, we (umpires, with PU being UIC) go through the standard procedures... we take the lineup cards from the Home team (first), then by the Visitors team (second, always). Now, the game is under our jurisdiction. We verify things on the lineup cards (DH, subs, etc.), and then we fire off a series of Very Important Questions – Are all players properly and legally equipped? (For Home team) Do you have an AED present and in certified order? (HC should say where it is and yes) (For Home team) Do you have a medic / trainer / other designated medically-trained person on site? (HC should say yes, and where / who they are) (For Home team) Do you have an Emergency Access Plan? (HC should say / indicate where (that route) is) That first one is our official "CYA". @Richvee @Kevin_K and other Jersey'ians have to go through a whole recitation rigamarole about sportsmanship and other ignored trivialities, but those 4 questions above are completely Procedural – as in, we cannot commence the game without those being verified. No AED, no pitchy, no swingy.

You said it wasn't directed at me, and I'm going to believe you.... haha...because I really don't care why or why not they do or do not take it all off as one. I was simply replying to a two page thread of people clamoring about umpires who take off the entire thing, why, why not, because their hair is nice, because they don't know what they are doing, or whatever the reason might actually be that you (nor I) care about at all. I think part of the reason is as you say, some keep their mask too tight (I actually think this is the biggest inadvertent reason), some find it easier, some are lazy, some just don't want to; I don't have any room to care any less. So yes, I do agree with you 100%.

The following soapbox moment isn't directed at you, @TheLovejoy ... your statement simply triggered me: Really, I do not care if you (or anybody) takes the skullcap off with the mask, or leaves it on. It doesn't matter a hill of beans... or even a small pile... or even a handful... or even the Himalayas of beans! They likely have their reasons, whether that be conscious or unconscious awareness, it does not matter. I'm of the qualified belief (thru investigation) that MLBUs keep their masks far too way too much too tight because there is a behind-the-curtain protocol involving the insurance lawyers and underwriters – that if an umpire's mask hits the ground, it can no longer be used (reliably), and that any subsequent claims of injury will be scrutinized, contested, and possibly denied. That's a valid position. Those guys aside, what does matter is that we – collectively – must keep what dwindling numbers of umpires we have active and healthy, and we must find ways of attracting, recruiting, engaging, and retaining a new generation of umpires. If that means they opt for wearing skullcaps, of any sort or brand, who cares? If that means that they wear a HSM 🤨 cuz that's what they're familiar with (being a former HS catcher), who cares? If that means they find and use a... <gulp> Wilson Gold 🤢... that they got from PIAS, who cares? If that means they use the side-shot instead of the hammer, who cares? If that means that they wear an 8-stitch instead of a 6-stitch on the bases, who cares? Who freakin' cares?! They're working, dammit!! What does not matter is some "evaluator's" opinion that <this> is a "bad look". Or, that <this> gold belt buckle on a polished leather belt is the mark of a "better" umpire. Or, flippantly telling a guy, "You'll never make it as an umpire if you don't do <this> in <this way>". Keyboard Crusaders will always drop derisive comments on guys, simply because they can... and they're cantankerous and have a burr up their a$$. The guys that get my goat are those that sit or stand aloof and "take notes", and the bulk of what "issues they have to address" with the guys that actually worked (that game) boil down to "style". I'll tell you something, this latest/next generation – they are craving feedback and review, and (this is important) they crave self-expression, or at least learning / accomplishing something in their own way. It's part of their identity. They do not want to do things simply because "that's the way we've been doing it for 30 years", especially – and this is critical – if you yourself don't model what you're saying, or someone else who is idolized (or held aloft) as a "gold" standard is himself fallible or does things that amount to, yet again, personal style. So sittin' there, telling a new umpire, "Yeah, you gotta leave your skullcap on, cuz it's a bad look" ain't gonna hold water, ya putz.

The breakdown I was looking for, thanks @TheLovejoy

But Rock! Why would you ever expect them to make different molds and casting sizes of a bedpan??

Nice review! My two cents: For the All-Star if you find it slipping I recommend getting another set of pads and mixing two sizes. I'm a 7-3/8 and in theory the large should fit me, but the large slips, but the medium is too tight. M/L mixture is PERFECT for me. As for the looks, no, it doesn't look great, but I think the padding is the best of any other option, so I'll take (perceived anyway) improved protection and comfort (again, my perception) over looks. I don't notice the weight or have venting problems with the UmpLife harness (I did have them with the DeltaFlex, because that harness is designed for catchers, so when you wear the mask forwards the DF covers the vent holes - that's not an issue with the UL, but overall I do like the DF harness better because I think it slips less.) I'm pretty certain the shell of the AS is the same size no matter what padding you get. Mentioning that only because this issue was mentioned on the Rawlings. I'd REALLY love if Gerry Davis and/or @MadMax come out with a true UMPIRE skull cap - with great padding made for umps, but until I can consider that option I'm sticking with the All-Star and recommending it to all my partners. Overall what I love to see, no matter which one, is so many of us using skull caps now!

Gotta say thanks for the info and your great article. Appreciated.

The umpire was correct. A batted ball that goes out of play in that situation is a 2 base award (commonly referred as a ground rule double). Runner(s) and batter are awarded 2 bases from where they were at time of pitch. (TOP) Same in all rulesets.

1) Do we even need to have brims? If it was needed for holding the mask catchers wouldn't wear the skull caps backwards. If it was needed for plays at the plate umpires would have a hat on under their helmet for when they took it off. For sun issues we have all the sunglasses and tinted lenses options provided by modern Opticians. 2) The ones that are on the market have a mixture of poor airflow, poor fit, or questionable padding due to their target market being college/pro catchers. Limited market means limited R&D and options as the companies have to charge more to get their ROI on unit price instead of volume. Has anyone else thought to at other sports that have TBI and ventilation considerations that also have a larger target audience for alternatives that might be better for umpires. One sport that comes to my mind is hockey helmets since companies are making them wtih products like 3DO. Unfortunately, growing up in Ga I don't know anything about how hockey gear would translate to baseball.

I cut my hair with clippers without the guide (< 1/16”). I am thinking you have a first world problem.

I totally agree with immediately telling the coach, "Go to my partner, he made the call." Two reasons. First, you may not know the reason for your partner's call. A pulled foot you did not see, a dropped ball you did not see, etc. Second, the longer you talk, the more unverified information the coach can pass on to your partner. e.g. "Your own partner told me he missed it." If you immediately direct the coach to talk with your partner, that can't happen. And, while I'm on the subject, unfortunately, you may be working with a partner you do not trust. In this case, if your partner comes to you then goes to the coach, you go with your partner to the coach. That way you can be sure your partner passes on to the coach what you actually said. In fact, it's probably a good idea to always go with your partner who goes to a coach after talking with you.

Ok, I've seen all of the talk about umpires pulling the skully off with the mask being for all kinds of different reasons. I believe it's one that hasn't been talked about yet. You see in this picture how far down the back of the skully the all star harness goes? Like, all the way to the bottom of the helmet? When you pull up the front of your mask, that back harness doesn't come disconnected from the skully very easily. It's almost 'grippy'. So it's much easier to remove the entire rig, rather than have to fight with it. The solution, is to shorten the top strap of the harness, so the harness doesn't come all the way to the bottom of the back of the helmet. If it sits up from the bottom roughly an inch or so, when you lift the front of the mask up, 'tilting the chin out', and lifting the top, the harness just flies off the back of the helmet. Source: I have owned all of the skullys on the market, and have messed with them all to figure out exactly how to take it off, because I struggled with it for a long time. I'll post a pic, and create a skully thread with pics this week.

Maybe he is really short . . .

Funny you mention this, just found a college baseball streaming site that has lots of ump cam Tiktoks, based on the angle it looks like the camera is on the shirt and not the mask

Like it or not, those platforms are the way people are communicating, connecting and “learning” and that’s not going to change. If you want a new generation of umpires that are educated in the field, I’d suggest some of the excellent knowledge, experience, and talent on these forums be apart of that future and join in the conversations on those platforms. Heck, if @MadMax were smart, he’d start a TikTok channel. He’s got the knowledge, the personality, and the looks to be a REAL benefit to the profession as an “influencer”. A good chunk of the information being shared by “umpires” on the gram or tt is just crap and, outside of myself, its rare to see anyone respond with actual rule book quotes. There is almost zero information on gear. Zero information on positioning. Heck, half of the umpires on those platforms don’t even use obstruction/interference correctly. I try to steer some of the young ones here but they don’t understand forums, to them they are all boomer Reddit trash. Believe it or not, umpires are generally well liked on those platforms (more tt than gram), coaches and parents do make very positive and supportive videos and comments about us, far more than you’d imagine.

so I read all the comments, and Big Blue4U hit it good...but I just can't get the idea of a 2 man crew for 6U coach pitch out of head!!!!