midtnump

@Rock Bottom I have owned two of the three masks that you listed, the FM25 and the FM4000. I never really liked the looks of the FM2000 although all the All-Star masks offer good protection. The FM25 is the heaviest of the three and is very stout and will take a shot well. The FM4000 was my favorite and the lightest weight of the three at about 17ozs. It offers great protection and great vision. From side to side it has more curve to the frame than any other mask, this is done by design to help deflect ball and impact away from your head. The only bad thing is that most silver finished steel frame masks eventually dulls and will need to be powder coated sooner or later. For the money you can't beat it. By the way @Thunderheads has this mask for sale right now in the buy, sell, trade forum. He has already had it powder coated in a matt black finish and at $40 plus shipping its a steal. You can buy a new set of LUC pads for about $20-$25 dollars and still below most places new retail price.

He must have a hidden minimum price, I submitted an offer for $75 and it was rejected immediately. Sorry but its a Wilson gold/platinum with a different logo on it, not worth the money.

Wilson lists them in grams showing it at 791 grams = 27.9 ozs.

Agreed. For that $109 you can p/u an equally protective mask, although less decorative, and it won't weigh as much as those Wilson boat anchors.

I have the Champion model with removable padding. I haven't seen the AA in person, but the Champion plates are a little thin compared to my main CP Douglas. Love the Champion in the heat of the summer. I'm tempted to sell off the Champion and p/u the new Adams/Schutt for backup and the summer heat. Curious if the shoulders are wider than the Douglas or Champion which fit me perfectly.

you may want to look at this one. Comes in black too. https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/evoshield-batters-wrist-guard-15evsawrstgrddcmbthr/15evsawrstgrddcmbthr?camp=CSE:DSG_pg1052118563_ecom_PLA_452&gclid=Cj0KCQiA7briBRD7ARIsABhX8aDt6Cu61H82tMFX0jw1QpUVRbtg0B8zcnoRWhFYwSFl9gnvl90j2OYaAuurEALw_wcB

It looks way close to the new Diamond CP that just came out a few months ago. Probably found the same maufacturer overseas. https://www.ump-attire.com/Baseball-Umpire-Equipment/Featured/New/DCP-PRO_Diamond-Pro-Umpire-Chest-Protector

Smitteez has 3 different models: http://www.smitteez.com/index.php/categories/baseball-softball-umpire-shirts-uniforms-jerseys

Kudos to Smitty for stepping up and hopefully filling a void left by Reebok's departure. Another option out there.

@wolfe_man No worries here, I didn't see anything wrong with any of your posts. I'm far from being overly sensitive LOL! About to go referee a first round HS football playoff game, being the Side Judge I'm sure i'll get an ear full tonight though. Tomorrow morning I tee off in 43 degree weather at 8 AM tomorrow for 18 holes.

@wolfe_man I completely get it, I was trying to give a cliff notes answer and not give the entire history answer.

Taiwan is governed by the Republic of China and is a part of China and Hong Kong is a part of China as well.

I think it would depend on conditions where you are at. My first CP was the platinum and it just didn't fit my body. In Tennessee in the summer with 95+ degree days and over 90% humidity, the platinum was miserably hot. The Douglas is a great fit for me, and with its thinner padding its still very hot. I wear it during the fall and thru spring, but when the extreme heat hits I switch to my Champion. If I continue next season, I will probably p/u the Schutt to help with the heat.

Diamond could have used a full velcro attachment ala Douglas and not infringed on Wilson's patent and probably made this new cp more desirable. I'll stick with my older Douglas and Champion with the removable padding.

@Majordave Take that left shoe to a Redwings dealer or boot store, ask if they will stretch it, or hit the ole Amazon and buy this one. https://www.amazon.com/APIKA-Shoe-Stretcher-Natural-Unisex/dp/B06XJQQKR2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1536955112&sr=8-3&keywords=unisex+shoe+stretcher This should give you alittle extra room in the left shoe.

I thought something was up. It looks too much like this one from All stars website. https://www.all-starsports.com/protective/all-star-traditional-catching-masks.html

https://www.ebay.com/itm/All-Star-Hollow-Steel-FM25-LMX-Traditional-Baseball-Catchers-Mask-Silver/382552801198?hash=item5911ec7fae:g:IAwAAOSwz-ZbhpqW @Thunderheads is this an errant listing? The description says hollow steel but it looks like titanium. I don't think All Star has made this mask in hollow steel have they?? If its an error, this is a bargin for someone at $84.99.

@BT Blue, its a very tough mask. It was one of my first masks, durable with good vision.

MadMax is spot on. I own a Nike Ti and a Plus Pos zero gravity. Look, feel, weight, and vision are very similar with both. I have neck issues and can't wear a lot of weight in a mask. These two are perfect for me.

I wear a Nike Ti also along with the Zero gravity for the same reason. I had two ruptured discs. Can't wear the heavy Wilson anchors.

Thats one ugly headband

Yes, I do and learned this lesson the hard way. In the heat of the summer I removed my mask for a play at the plate and when I put my mask on it fell. Looked at the mask and the stitching that held the strap on the side of the mask tore loose. Tried to tie it and it wouldn't stay. Fortunately my BU had his gear and retrieved his mask for me. I bought another mask and new harness the next day.

Dixie Youth extends that rule to if you are in the act of receiving a throw.

@Thunderheads I hate to say it, but if you have half a day to kill, you can call the big "W" and explain your situation and see if they will sell you one. Sorry I didn't want to mention that "W" word. LOL

But a BR also has the obligation to avoid interfering with a defensive player in the act of fielding a hit or a throw. To me your scenario sounds like he was avoiding the interference.