Clear Protective Mask ??

[Jboval]

Does anyone make a complete clear visor/mask to cover the opening for the umpire mask? I am talking like they make for football helmets and the like? I take so much dirt/debris in the face/eyes on the high pitches where the catcher puts his mitt up and catches the ball in the mitt, knocking the loose debris off and into my eyes. It has caused me to start flinching and closing my eyes at impact, and I am worried it is going to turn into a very bad habit, and I am going to miss some late swings and such.

[mstaylor]

Not that I know of but tell your catcher that if he wants any strikes he needs to stop getting into position using his glove. It's a bad habit that I broke my son of early.

[JaxRolo]

Does anyone make a complete clear visor/mask to cover the opening for the umpire mask?

Interesting concept. I like it! Never seen it.

At least something that covers the eyes portion of the mask. I got some dirt in my eyes yesterday that took me a few minutes to clear. If I had been wearing contacts I would have been in trouble.

[kcfan102]

I've had that idea for sometime... only my visor had a heads up display indicating balls, strikes, outs, score, and Windows 7. I also designed it to flip up when the wearer wanted it to be up.

Try some safety glasses.

Of course, if it's sunny, regular sunglasses work too.

There is a field I work at sometimes where the dirt is, not hyperbolic at all, moon dust. They think that packing the box means dumping loads of moon dust to make it look level. I've seen grown men get lost in a cloud at plays at the plate. Point is, the balls and gloves get very dusty and on high pitches, the dirt gets in my eyes. I wear sun glasses during the day and clear ones at night when I'm on these fields.

[Umpire in Chief]

Something like this????

[slo8140]

I think this might be what you are talking about

http://www.aluminumbats.com/browseproducts/Bangerz-Hockey-Style-Mask-Sunshield.HTML

[kylejt]

"Hey Boss, do us both a favor. Knock your mitt against your shin guard before you catch the next pitch. Thanks."

It's a courtesy thing, that most catchers do. Sometimes they just need to be asked. Have you tried asking?

Edited March 29, 2010 by kylejt

[Umpire in Chief]

I think at younger ages <12 they do it intentionally b/c they think the poof is cool and they don't mind because they close their eyes anyway as they catch.

I thought sun glasses would help more but the dust is so fine it just goes everywhere.

[Jboval]

I would of never found those... I have one of the smoke and one of the amber shields on their way! Thanks for locating those for me!!

[Jboval]

Something like this????

I think I might lose it if I saw an umpire come out with one of those on... :shrug:

[kylejt]

Can you imagine how hot it's going to get inside that bucket, by blocking out that air circulation? I wear motocycle helmets a lot, and with the shield down, and motionless, it gets hot very quickly. And foggy too.

Just be aware of it.

[Umpire in Chief]

I think this might be what you are talking about

http://www.aluminumbats.com/browseproducts/Bangerz-Hockey-Style-Mask-Sunshield.HTML

IMO I like the plastic being behind the bars better. I would fear even with motorcycle quality super strength poly-carbon shields, the force of being hit against the frame could shatter the visor.

I also agree that it looks like it could get pretty hot back there w/o some ventilation.

[JaxRolo]

The Bucket might be a good idea for those who like to wear them.

I still would like to see a shield for a regular mask. One that goes on the inside.

[kcfan102]

What if.... we could add this!?

I used to do my fair shair of paintballing. We would add these mask fans so our goggles wouldn't fog up. It kept air circulating and it felt kind of nice. What if we could put these on the back of our buckets, add the shield and tada!

Who'd like to lose a lot of money and invest in this with me? :lookup

[Paperipper17]

Who'd like to lose a lot of money and invest in this with me?

I'm in. :rock

[NevadaBlue]

This is exactly why I wear my Oakley Tacticals with either the shaded lens or the clear lens (depending on the sun).

Some of the dirt used around here has alot of larger pebbles that get kicked up by balls in the dirt and such.

I count my glasses as just another piece of protective gear.