Blue vs Black Masks

[boyinr]

Okay, noob question that I never have found anyone to ask or ever seen it discussed so I thought I would address it to the internet experts....... The rain is killing me. I have lost 6 games in the last week.

Most of us of try to match in all facets of our on field wear. I understand the following; ball bags should always match the hat or the pants, undershirts should match the shirt color or the a trim color, patent leather and real leather should not be mixed, pant color should match partners, etc..... I am sure there are more but you get the point.

Given this level of attention to detail why are navy masks not worn with navy hats and jackets? For MLB and MILB I understand. They always wear black hats. Black on blue is not a typical combination seen anywhere else. My association mostly wears navy and powder blue but, I cannot ever recall seeing one navy mask. Ump Attire doesn't list any navy masks on its website so they cannot be in demand. Honigs does have them available.

Was there/is there a time and a place for the navy blue mask or Is it passe' and a relic from time gone by?

PSA- I do not have one and I have no real desire to get one. After holding my Spring gear sale I am happy being able to get all my gear in one bag. That is until someone comes out with the next great thing......

[Thunderheads]

Rog, ...

I think that the mask is sort of like shoes, ....they're just black, ...it's more of an accessory or as it is, a piece of equipment rather than part of the 'uniform' ...if that makes sense? :angel4:

[mmiller32]

Rog, ...

I think that the mask is sort of like shoes, ....they're just black, ...it's more of an accessory or as it is, a piece of equipment rather than part of the 'uniform' ...if that makes sense?

last time I"ve seen a blue frame mask was in the '09 NCAA CWS game 3 finals b/w LSU and UT, and I've seen plenty of NCAA games since then.. I've never seen a MLB guy w/ a blue frame. It was a double bar frame w/ the Honig's tan doe skin pads. They had on light blue that day and thought the combo actually looked pretty good together. I liked it so much I ordered the same parts, double bar frame and all and still use it depending on what level game I'm working since I also own 3 single bar mask. Now you can't get the blue frame double bar, nor the doe skins anymore. Not to mention the fact that LSU won that game helped out a little w/ the decision to purchase it :beerbang

[okump96]

i wear a gray wilson and have for several years. i'm on my second one.

[Mike Prince]

Forget black or blue. Silver goes with everything :)

[yawetag]

I may be wrong, but I thought your mask had to match your socks.

[Whonu19]

Match your socks??? So it has to smell and have holes???

[LMSANS]

Your mask doesn't have holes????? :shakehead:

[Whonu19]

ohhhh.... no wonder I have so much trouble seeing pitches.... I will get the next one with eye holes...

[Cactus]

I've never seen a MLB guy w/ a blue frame.

Blue and red masks were pretty common not too long ago, but not since the switch to black shirts was made.

[Cactus]

This looks like a navy mask with the old two tone navy/red pads.

[semper_fi_72]

I always match my mask to the color of my compression shorts or tights.

And never stand around with your hands in your pockets or ball bags....

This looks like a navy mask with the old two tone navy/red pads.

[mmiller32]

I've never seen a MLB guy w/ a blue frame.

Blue and red masks were pretty common not too long ago, but not since the switch to black shirts was made.

Is Honig's the only supplier still carrying blue frame masKs? As many MLB games as I've watched over the past 3 year I'm not sure I've ever seen one w/ a mask like that

[boyinr]

Most other manufactures sell catchers masks in almost every color. Hoings is the only umpire specific equipment supplier that I have seen. I understand why the MLB guys do not wear blue masks and harnesses as blue on black is not any different than black on blue. My question was more directed the amatuer guys that wear navy hats why they dont wear navy masks. I didn't know if there was an unwritten rule out there somewhere.

[JimKirk]

Most other manufactures sell catchers masks in almost every color. Hoings is the only umpire specific equipment supplier that I have seen. I understand why the MLB guys do not wear blue masks and harnesses as blue on black is not any different than black on blue. My question was more directed the amatuer guys that wear navy hats why they dont wear navy masks. I didn't know if there was an unwritten rule out there somewhere.

Insights from here: It's pretty rare for umpires to ask for a navy or any other color mask (red, gray, etc) - maybe a couple of requests per year, so we just never felt the demand was there. Suppliers must feel the same as of the brands we carry - Wilson, Diamond, Pro Nine, Champro and All-Star - none offer any other color than with black padding or with light padding (tan, doeskin, natural tan, whatever) with a black frame or silver frame. If they did and there was demand then they would, and we would. So, yes, it looks like the only manufacturer out there for those that I've seen is Honig's.

[Stan W.]

I have a Navy Honigs single bar that I wear with navy and polo blue shirts. I have a black +POS single bar that I wear with Black shirts......

dont ask me why........I just do....