Review of Wilson Chrome Moliben Mask

[midmoump]

Just posted a review of the Wilson Chrome Moliben Mask at:

http://midwestump.blogspot.com/2009/10/review-of-wilson-chrome-moliben-umpire.html

Also recently posted a review of the Wilson West Vest Platinum Chest Protector - complete with amateur video!!! Remember to vote for your favorite umpire shirt while you are there.

[Umpire in Chief]

When I bought my Dyna-Lite mask I thought long and hard about the Crome Moliben mask. I didn't choose it because of the rumors about the low provile leading to greater risk of injury. I just wasn't willing to risk it. But I know others who have this mask and love it.

[midmoump]

Warren-

It just makes sense that a flatter design will not deflect a foul ball, and result in more of that impact transfering to the mask/skull. HOWEVER, as Jim Kirk points out in a blog last year, Kerwin Danley was wearing a Dyna-Lite when he was seriously injured by a Brad Penny fastball. The Dyna-Lite is not a low-profile design.

Another umpire injury occured when Randy Marsh took a foul ball to his mask in August at San Diego. He was wearing (what looks to be) a Wilson Titanium non-low profile mask.

Finally Ed Hickox suffered a concussion after being struck in the cage of his Wilson Shock FX HSM by a foul ball.

My point is that the MLB umpires are being injured while wearing a variety of masks and helmets. Until we get some hard data from lab-testing these masks, the safety aspects of one mask versus another is just speculation. But for my money I'll stick with a traditional shape and avoid the low-profile masks.

[kcfan102]

I had one for about two weeks. I wasn't sure about it. There was something about it that I just didn't like.

My partner tried it out and he said he loved it. We traded. :2cents:

[BrianC14]

Warren-

It just makes sense that a flatter design will not deflect a foul ball, and result in more of that impact transfering to the mask/skull. HOWEVER, as Jim Kirk points out in a blog last year, Kerwin Danley was wearing a Dyna-Lite when he was seriously injured by a Brad Penny fastball. The Dyna-Lite is not a low-profile design.

Another umpire injury occured when Randy Marsh took a foul ball to his mask in August at San Diego. He was wearing (what looks to be) a Wilson Titanium non-low profile mask.

Finally Ed Hickox suffered a concussion after being struck in the cage of his Wilson Shock FX HSM by a foul ball.

My point is that the MLB umpires are being injured while wearing a variety of masks and helmets. Until we get some hard data from lab-testing these masks, the safety aspects of one mask versus another is just speculation. But for my money I'll stick with a traditional shape and avoid the low-profile masks.

Agreed re: the hard data being needed. I have to point out, though, that Danley's injury last year was from a pitch that hit him down near on the jaw - the profile from whaterver the mask he might have been wearing would have been irrelevant, IMHO, as it didn't hit higher up on the cage.

I've always wondered what the fuss is with low profile cage... what's the (claimed) advantage?

My first mask (now my backup) is a WV A3009X - it has the traditional cage, (Dynalite) and had the amara suede wrap-around pads. I think I bought it for about $60... so what's the fuss with this Cro-moly low-profile mask? The pads look the same as my 3009, with the exception of the leather (pigskin?) covering.

Edited October 15, 2009 by BrianC14

[zm1283]

Agreed re: the hard data being needed. I have to point out, though, that Danley's injury last year was from a pitch that hit him down near on the jaw - the profile from whaterver the mask he might have been wearing would have been irrelevant, IMHO, as it didn't hit higher up on the cage.

I've always wondered what the fuss is with low profile cage... what's the (claimed) advantage?

My first mask (now my backup) is a WV A3009X - it has the traditional cage, (Dynalite) and had the amara suede wrap-around pads. I think I bought it for about $60... so what's the fuss with this Cro-moly low-profile mask? The pads look the same as my 3009, with the exception of the leather (pigskin?) covering.

I have a Wilson Titanium low profile that I use most of the time and I have a regular West Vest/Dyna Lite Wilson standard profile mask that I use as a backup. The Titanium is much easier to see out of than the standard profile mask is. I may be alone here too, but I almost can't stand wearing the Dyna Lite because of how much heavier it is than the Titanium. I guess it's because I started wearing the Titanium first and got used to it. I really want to get the Official's Call featherweight mask that they have. It looks really nice.

[BrianC14]

I have a Wilson Titanium low profile that I use most of the time and I have a regular West Vest/Dyna Lite Wilson standard profile mask that I use as a backup. The Titanium is much easier to see out of than the standard profile mask is. I may be alone here too, but I almost can't stand wearing the Dyna Lite because of how much heavier it is than the Titanium. I guess it's because I started wearing the Titanium first and got used to it. I really want to get the Official's Call featherweight mask that they have. It looks really nice.

ZM: What is it about the view that's so much better, though? Is it the thickness of the bars, do you think? I can certainly understand the weight issue... especially since you had titanium first...

[Umpire in Chief]

Like Jim Kirk said in his most recent blog, there is no mask/or helmet that will completely protect you, and I have no doubt about it ability to protect you. The doubt was just enough to get me to change my mind away from the chrome Moliben.

[zm1283]

ZM: What is it about the view that's so much better, though? Is it the thickness of the bars, do you think? I can certainly understand the weight issue... especially since you had titanium first...

I'm not sure if the thickness of the bars help as much, but I can tell a difference in the field of view between the low profile mask and the standard profile mask. Not as much side to side, but the up and down field of view is greater.