Rock Bottom

Naperville Little League, which is the largest LL organization in the state of Illinois, also bans fake bunting and then swinging away, which they've defined as a "slash bunt" for local play. However they do clarify that "in District Tournament play and above the 'slash bunt' is legal."

Thank you all so much for the detailed replies! @JSam21 and @MadMax , one of the main reasons I'm looking at the HSM is that I'm just more familiar with it, as I used a Shock fx HSM to catch my son when he was younger (the pads are falling off now and I can't find replacements) and also since he's now in college and not using it, I was thinking about maybe getting replacement pads for his MVP2500 and just use that. Then I came across the Schutt HSMs when I was researching the CPs, so thought I'd ask about them since they were a little cheaper. I'm doing this as a side job to help pay for the 3 kids I have in college, and I'm sure like all of you can't afford to get injured so I thought HSM might provide a little higher level of safety. (Most of the fields I'll be on have open backstops, but a couple do have closer fences were ricochet shots off the top of the cage can catch you.) I caught through HS as well, but that was a LONG time ago, so we were still using the FM/skullcap combo, but I definitely was concerned too about top-of-the-head protection. Mike (Rock Bottom)

Hi, long time reader, but I just joined this page. I'm just starting umpiring at the HS level this coming spring (previously I've just done little league as an adult volunteer) and I'm investing in equipment. I got the Schutt/Adams XV-HDX chest protector for Christmas, and I'm pretty set on the F3 shin guards, but for the plate shoes do you all recommend mid or low cut? For basketball shoes I like low cut, but I don't know if the mid cut provide better protection (other than just being a higher shoe). And how much does the cut affect which size to get on the F3s? Re: the masks, I'm torn between the HSM and traditional, but I'm leaning towards HSM. My son played high level HS ball, and loved the All-Star, so I'm considering getting the MVP2500 (games I'm umping will have pitchers throwing upwards 80-90, with the rare kid above that), but I'm wondering if anyone has any familiarity with the Schutt HSM, either the Air Maxx 2966 or 2966 OS (which has a very "interesting" cage on it). https://www.schuttsports.com/baseball/officials-gear/protective-gear.html Thanks for your help!!