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Are people hitting the ball harder now than before? Are the pitchers throwing harder? I never had a concussion, and I've had my bell rung by some of the best. Hundreds of mask shots from between 85 and 95 MPH over a 21 year span. Dented a few masks over the years. Plus, I've had at least 10 direct shots to the collar bone, in the era before hard shell protectors. I took one in the collar bone at 92+ from Chad Hutchinson in 1990 that the people in the stands thought had killed me. I learned what P.O.S. stood for after that one! I was black and blue for 3 weeks! My point is, why is it all of a sudden so urgent to wear a mouthguard, when it hasn't really been an issue all this time? I can't even talk like I would like to with my partial plate, much less with a mouthguard in. I don't want to be hollering, "Bah Foh," or "Tike Thee." I like my calls crisp and clear, not all mumble-mouthed. I guess if you really, really, really need to wear one, okay. But I don't think it will receive widespread acceptance anytime soon.

Many guys think they are lighter and cooler with the same protection. Some are familar because of playing hockey. Shins guards are the spot you can experiement because they are less important than CPs or masks. Steve can give you more info on advantage/disadvantage.

Nice post, kyle. I agree with sniffing around for bargains if you need to, but going high end. Although I'm pretty sure that used Platinum or Gold is going for higher than 80 on Ebay; I've never seen one go for less than a Benjamin and I consider myself a fairly savvy ebayer. Shins, shirts, and occasionally masks are usually the items I can find bangup deals on Ebay for.

Just off the top of my head, in MLB games this season I've seen the following masks/helmets: Schutt ComfortLite All Star masks and helmets Mizuno with the goofy throat protector Nike titanium All sorts of Wilson DynaLite rigs It's just that the logos are gone over with a sharpie, so you can't see them, or the frame has Wilson pads in them (like all of mine). MLB guys get the Wilson stuff for free, but until they actually get paid to advertise for Wilson, they'll wear what they want.

Look closer and you will find many MLB umpires using many different manufacturers of masks and cp's all masked over with Wilson stickers or pads....

I just purchased the macgregor cp used from a 71 year old guy that is no longer umpiring, and he said he was doing HS varsity and leagon ball with it. I'm only at the LL level and it definitely works for that, and I would be comfortable with it to HS, maybe modify it a little in the sternum area with some hard shell from football or hockey shoulder pads, but I like it and it was worth the price. $70 for the CP, two masks, shin pads, and a bunch of ball bags indicators and brushes. Altho I like my catchers shin pads and hockey style helmet that I had before I even started to umpire. Too bade they are lite blue in color (they do refer to us as "blue" don't they?) And the shin pads are triple knee protection, but they are comfortable when I have to run around working a game by my self, and the league is ok with me wearing them :smachhead:

Yeh, Honigs only sells their masks or the wilson titanium. Ump-Attire as well as many others (Gerry Davis has the mask but put their pads and harness on it).

Hey everyone another question.. honigs offers two different all star masks.. I wondering what you guys think of them? Is the "Super-light" model really that much of a difference? http://www.honigs.com/detail.asp?Cat=2&Sub=36&Item=758 http://www.honigs.com/detail.asp?Cat=2&Sub=36&Item=790 I notice a lot of minor league guys wear these now, I used the Diamond edge mask but I really didn't like it that much.. Nate

I personally think it is one of the best designed logos ever. I have the titanium now and had three other Wilson masks. I only remember the MLB logo being on the harness with all of them and it is on the upper pad in a very small size on the titanium. I formerly wore traditional style doeskin pads and they had the MLB logo on the center velcro attaching strap but it was not as conspicuous as the large, bright gold Wilson W. Times have changed since you went to Evans and the instructors rode you about logos. Now MLB wants the logo everywhere. Look at the players-at ALL levels of the game. It is on hats, bats, gloves, batting gloves and I have even seen MLB logo on pants and shoes. It is now on my Reebok Field Magistrate base shoes. I personally think the Instructors probably did that to make you students feel insecure since that is what fans and players and managers and coaches constantly try to do to umpires in the professional game. If you don't like it you can cut it off, I did that on my traditional pads or you can cover it with a sharpie or something else. But I still think it is a great logo and the company who makes the gear along with MLB want everyone to see that logo. It is becoming a universal symbol of "Baseball". Just my two cents, your mileage may vary.

I really like the view this masks offers. I orginally bought the silver frame from Jim back at the beginning of the season (March). I liked it so much that I bought the black frame too. I've taken one good shot and the mask did its job.

IMO there is a big problem with misuse of the hockey style mask. The mask was made and intended to never be taken off. That is what makes them safer in addition to the shell on the back of head an ears. Catchers and umpires should not have to take the hockey mask off. They are supposed to give a better view than a standard mask while it is worn. This is why I think it is dumb states require kids to wear the hockey mask. They still take it off 99% of the time on foul balls and plays at the plate. Look at major league guys, many of the catchers and umps leave those thing on 100% of the time. Then you are using the mask correctly. That being said...I personally prefer the traditional mask. I was in HS when hockey masks came out and tried then playing HS ball but always went back to traditional.

I still like their (hockey masks) protection the best, most balls will glance off them, making a direct hit very difficult, unlike the traditional masks. It is funny though, having to remove the ball marks on it and then remembering each clobbering that I received.

Does anyone know where to get a 13" All American AA37 Chest protector? NEW or USED? I know All American is not making it. Was wondering if someone wanted to part with theirs for a top $$$!!! I know a few milb guys who say the champion is close, but no dice. Get bruised when they take a shot. The All American is superior in protection! Closet thing the the old Riddell Power! Now if someone had one of those, I would empty my bank account! I have Japanese Mizuno Masks too if anyone is interested.

To each their own. IMO there is probably not much difference in protection between the $40 mask and a $200 mask. (At least the frame itself, the pads do make a difference) The difference is in the weight, comfort and piece of mind for each umpire. When making a purchase like that each person has to determine their wants and needs and risk tolerance. All mask frames can be bent in the right circumstance. I remember Posada taking a foul on his Nike titanium mask and just running in the dugout to grab another. I had a catcher wearing a HSM took a nasty foul it bent the frame and it broke the clasp holding the frame to the helmet, but he wasn't hurt. Pissed but not hurt. Think about your risk tolerance, worse case scenario to take a direct hit and dent your mask, can you readily replace your $200 mask? Weigh that against your perceived likelihood of needing to replace it. If your working primarily 10 y/o you'll probably never need to replace your mask, while pros probably have at least 1 in reserve. A titanium mask is not necessarily tremendously stronger than steel overall but its weight to strength ratio is much more favorable. So those opting for the titanium masks are, in my unscientific opinion, getting the same protection in a lighter package. But each person needs to figure out what they like/want/need and go for it. IMO wearing the mask correctly and the padding are the #1 & #2 most important factors in protection with a mask.

The mask is made out of titanium, meaning not only is it lighter, but WAY WAY WAY stronger than steel framed masks. They have been out for a while now, but I guess you have not seen or heard of these before.

I have a Shock FX and love it. It is much lighter than the others on the market, and the view is great. I have had a Rawlings Cool-Flo, and a Diamond iX3 HSM as well, and the Wilson is head and shoulders above them. One thing I wasn't expecting was how cool the bucket is during summer games. I actually sweat less behind the plate wearing my Shock, than I do on the bases wearing a hat. But, to each his own, I like the feel and protection of the HSM over the traditional masks. I don't think there is a right or wrong way to go. If anyone does decide to go with a HSM, my advice is to do a few more games, save up a little more, and go with the Wilson.

I have the Jim Evans Academy bag. I really like it. It is heavy duty cordura nylon with a top compartment large enough for all my plate gear (as many as 3 masks), GD 17.5 shins, WV Gold, two pairs of high top shoes (NB 350 and 450), two honig's ditty bags-1 for plate accessories and 1 for shoe shine stuff, 8 hats (folded and stored in zippered pockets along inside of top). I put ball bags (black and navy-two of each color) in the outside zipper pocket on front of top compartment. Bottom has elastic straps to hold down items. It comes with two folding bags/covers-one for pants (it held three pairs for me) and one for shirts (held five for me). Sandals, ditty bag with shower stuff, towels, hats, febreeze bottle, bath mat, socks, 3 pairs tights, hexpad shorts, cold weather gloves, water spray bottle, 5 or 6 undershirts of varying colors. I don't carry my pants or jackets or plate coat in the bag anymore. I use a Honig's garment bag ($20). It folds and handles hook over the Jim Evans Bag telescoping handle. Nice professional looking way to move from auto to locker room. Big deal here: If you fly to games (looking to future as D-1 conference umpire-my goal/dream) It is within checked baggage size limits without paying extra. Drawbacks: zippers inside are weak-mine stripped but not a big deal. No shoe compartment-again I knew this and bought Honig's shoe bags so no big deal. Inside compartment is black so sometimes hard to find items-I will put a small LED flashlight in ditty bag to overcome this problem this year. Wilson bag-I had a partner with this bag at Music City camp. He used to live across the street from Joe West in Florida. Joe gave it to him before it went up for sale. (The partner was a Katrina refugee from New Orleans and Joe comped him a complete set of gear-that's what he told me, anyway.) It was not as good a fabric as the Jim Evans bag. It was thinner with large gaudy Wilson and MLB logos which screams umpire! when you travel with it. It is 36" long and can get really heavy and does not meet current airline restrictions for regular checked baggage per the guy who had it. It does have compartments in the top section (they are adjustable). One of them is designed for shoes. It was my second choice because of price-CAT sports has it for less than $100. Diamond bag-It comes in 30 and 36 inch lengths now. It is nice but I just did not like the white/grey piping on it. It has compartments in both top and bottom. It is heavy duty. It is expensive-I think it is the most expensive but the guys I know that have it (at least 6 or 7 guys I have worked with) really like it. There you go. I guess that's all there is to say about Umpire Equipment Bags (my apologies to Bubba from Forrest Gump).

Excellent information Jim. I read your blog post too. I guess they taught you well at ol' Centre College. I, too have had a class or two in statistical analysis and research ethics and methods so I read every statistical report with a seriously jaundiced view. I applaud the kids for at least taking up the study and I appreciate your commentary about the study. I would also like a more scientific, and in-depth study of all the masks both styles and the various materials available. Either the government should require it or someone should commission it like MiLB is doing for the amateur umpires with all the concussion problems they are having. Maybe some equipment seller like yourself could do so and get some free advertising out of it? Although the technology to measure the g-forces would probably cost a pretty penny. On the other hand, with our litigous society, you probably would be buying a lawsuit from some unhappy manufacturer. (that's the lawyer in me talking there)

Rule 1: Buy the best gear you can afford. Why?: Because you have to go to work at your real job tomorrow. I have seen many injuries over the years and you cant afford to be hurt. Because it will save you money. Upgrading over the years has cost me plenty! Because you will be evaluated (rightly or wrongly) on the impression you make....mismatched brands, cheap gear and worn uniforms even on good umpires are a hurdle to be overcome.. lastly and leastly: Because Umpires notice..........might seem trivial I know... but your gear and uniforms let everyone know if you are "invested" in the profession..........we should all admit it........we all want to work with someone who cares.......and we all have worked with the guy that doesn't...... Now to me. I have always been a +POS guy, gear, shirts, pants and plate shoes.........now of course that is not possible. I have 2 CP's: a Honigs K1 for sub varsity a Platinum for everything above I have 2 Masks: a +POS single bar in Black a Honigs single bar in Blue (ok this is just vanity..........I wear the black mask with black and cream jerseys, the blue with the other colors..) +pos shin guards...........if I were to skimp on anythng it would be on shin guards....... Just my .02

Hard shell CP is the way to go for higher levels. Personally I have not used one but am looking at investing in one and the West Vest line has been recommended to me. Also invest in a good mask if doing higher levels. I went with a small mask for many years but changed when I got to higher levels. Saw too many bent masks.

I have cleaned my equipment many ways. Sometimes putting it in the bathtub and running warn water on it to get the funk out then having to clean the tub. It is effective but too time consuming and hard laboring. I have heard of others using Febreze, that doesn't get it clean, it just masks the dirt and sweat in your gear. Well, about two years ago, I came up with an idea. I had to ask the wife to use a certain item in the house to clean my equipment, well she gave me the thumbs up, what a shock. I asked her if I could use the dishwasher to clean up my equipment. I put the chest protector on the top with the shin guards and mask on the bottom. Do not put soap it with them. You will smell like dishes after you next game. As far as cleaning shoes, well, there is still a mystery of how to easily clean those. I usually put them on my feet and stand in the tub with a little water in the tub and just scrub them with a good brush, no soap.

Hey all, I prefer traditional style masks over HSM. Heat retention, ear ringing, etc... I wear a Honig's K-82 and love it! Bigdog:cool:

Thanks. I have an older Gerry Mask but with recently developed neck problems, I was looking for something lighter. I googled masks and found the Rawlings among others. Just wanted to know if anybody had used it. Again, Thanks