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Just arrived this afternoon: Yup, that’s a Diamond DFM-iX3-Pro. For catchers. In aluminum. It weighs nothing. I gotta say, the pads on this thing, as simple as they are, are better than the default pads on the Umpire version (not the DFM-UMP-BL)! In any case, it’s strong, light, and offers a rather generous eyeport. It won’t bend. The only reason this didn’t really gain traction with catchers is because it’s not an All-Star or UnderArmour, or Nike, or Easton (who all use titanium or steel), and the NFHS codes prohibit them. Without them carried on retail shelves, they’re only order-able online, where they get undercut by insanely cheap steel masks (Rawlings, Wilsons and MacGregors) or overlooked in favor of the name-brand starlets (Easton, UnderArmour, All-Star). I ordered this mask in for one of my fellow umpires who is using an old TAG -brand steel, bent like a coat hanger would be to be used as a TV antenna. I have a black harness for it, and we’ll be teaming this up with +POS tan leather pads... which should be arriving any day now. Oh yeah, the price? Ordered direct from Diamond, $30.

Does anyone have either of these masks and if so, can you please provide feedback on them? Thanks.

Gentlemen, I've been lurking here for months, reading posts and admiring the knowledge of, camaraderie in, and passion for this avocation of ours. I finally have a post of my own to make. I have been working my way up in the college ranks, and it looks like I will be getting some D-I work this coming spring. As a result, I've been thinking about upgrading my equipment, specifically my mask and CP. Even the D-II and -III stuff I am have been working probably warrants an upgrade. The mask is first, as the one I have been using is a few years old, and not as heavy-duty as I think is warranted at the D-I level. The CP is good, but I will likely upgrade to a West Vest next year. So, I have narrowed the masks down to these, and would like input from the group on what would be the best choice. Diamond Pewter Grey iX3 Aluminum Umpire Mask with Quik-Dry Diamond Silver Big League Aluminum Umpire Mask with Leather Wilson Silver Dyna-Lite Aluminum Umpire Mask with Memory Foam I came to these choices because I don't want a hockey-style mask, and I don't want to drop 2 bills on a Wilson titanium. I get the feeling the Wilson is the best, but was wondering if the Diamond ix3 and Diamond Big League are equivalent (or close) for $30-$50 less. There is also this: Wilson Silver Dyna-Lite Aluminum Umpire Mask with Black and Grey which seems to be the same mask, with different pads, but this is another $30 above the memory foam padded Wilson. LOL -- And as I type that last sentence, I can hear "Why take a chance with your head and face for $30-$50?" So maybe I have my answer. But if anyone can speak to these masks, I'd love the feedback. Cheers, all!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=321332505092 Hey guys. Listed it on Ebay 2 minutes ago but wanted to give you the Buy It Now opportunity. $75 for the rig, shipped. Would cost about $109 to do it yourself. Only flaw is the slit on the TW pads, as I used them on an All-Star fm4000 mask. Bought an All-Star TI from boyinr, so this one became expendable. Diamond ix3 mask is a lightweight beast, if you're not aware. Should easily last a decade.