new mask - advice please

[Tyennie]

Looking for a new one, considering my other post - looked closer at the one that took the shot. new cracks in "vinyl/rubber" (what ever the heck it is) coating. but no flexing of bars. What is a good mask for moderate dollars. don't want to drop 2 or 3 bills. I only call about 50 games a season. thanks ty

[Big Red]

Tyennie,

Check out the Umpire Equipment Review section...there are reviews on a few different masks there, both traditional and HSM.

Pete from Midwest Ump has good reviews on several masks:

Masks

Also, here are several recent Umpire Equipment threads concerning both types of masks that should give you more than enough reading and info....

All Star System 7 Helmets

New Mask

HSM w/Bangerz shield

traditional vs hockey

Mask Replacement Question

ALL STAR Titanium Mask

Diamond Titanium? Mask

[Umpire in Chief]

Ump-attire has this one on sale right now. For the price I don't think you can do better.

http://www.ump-attire.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=A3009X&Category_Code=DISCOUNT_UMPIRE&Product_Count=8

It's not the lightest, but its strong as heck and you won't have any regrets.

I have the Dyna Lite wiht the doeskin pads and love it. Same frame different pads.

[boyinr]

I have always liked the All Star FM-25 model. It handles about any shot due the the solid flat bar design. You can pick this up at several online retailers for about $39.00 with vinyl pads. It is very light, about 20 oz. Buy a set of calfskin replacement pads and this is a nice, light wieght and durable mask.

I also have a Wilson WV and I feel that this is too heavy. The bars are coated with vinyl vs. powdercoated so they seem to me to be more visable. The WV is tough and takes a good shot. The wrap around pads on the Wilson are very good. They did take some getting used to as they are a little bigger than the traditional pads.

[Tyennie]

thanks for the input. given the fact that i broke my hand wrestling with a drill it seems my season may be over this year. 5 - 6 weeks pretty much takes care of baseball in wyo. however i might purchase in preparation of next yr.

[Kevin Finnerty]

The wrap around pads on the Wilson are very good. They did take some getting used to as they are a little bigger than the traditional pads.

You get suddenly accustomed to them the first time you take a shot and feel significantly less of a jolt than with the regular ones.

[Kevin Finnerty]

thanks for the input. given the fact that i broke my hand wrestling with a drill it seems my season may be over this year. 5 - 6 weeks pretty much takes care of baseball in wyo. however i might purchase in preparation of next yr.

Why in hell can't you umpire with a broken hand?

I am not going to miss games (opportunities to be free of chores, errands and nagging) just because of a broken hand.

[Tyennie]

well that would be a very good question. need to give it a week with the current splint if that doesn't work out, may have to go with surgery and a big foam armrest. that would derail the season. of course this next week spouse and i are off to kauai, needless to say the other half is not happy about the current injury

Edited June 23, 2010 by Tyennie

[BrianC14]

Ump-attire has this one on sale right now. For the price I don't think you can do better.

http://www.ump-attire.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=A3009X&Category_Code=DISCOUNT_UMPIRE&Product_Count=8

It's not the lightest, but its strong as heck and you won't have any regrets.

I have the Dyna Lite wiht the doeskin pads and love it. Same frame different pads.

Wow! That's a fantastic price for a 3009 mask. I have that mask with the Amara suede pads, and it's been great.

[Kevin Finnerty]

There's a pretty fantastic price on the super-light Champro magnesium as well:

http://www.ump-attire.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=CM58-L&Category_Code=DISCOUNT_UMPIRE&Product_Count=7

[yawetag]

needless to say the other half is not happy about the current injury

At least you're not dead. She needs to lighten up!:D

[Kevin Finnerty]

need to give it a week with the current splint if that doesn't work out, may have to go with surgery and a big foam armrest. that would derail the season. ...

I wish you the best ... I was just trying to be funny, which, at times, can itself be an injurious thing. I didn't mean to trivialize what could be a complex and troubling injury. Best of luck, truly.

[Umpire in Chief]

Why in hell can't you umpire with a broken hand?

I am not going to miss games (opportunities to be free of chores, errands and nagging) just because of a broken hand.

Love it!

Best of luck Ty, but I still can't feel too sorry for you if your heading to HI. :smachhead:

[Tyennie]

yawetag - i have often thought that, but being married for twenty-seven yrs. (next week) i have learned when to bite my tongue. sometimes until it bleeds

kevin finn... no offense taken - had the same question in back of my addled brain. just have to see what the next week holds, besides mai tais and other adult beverages

ty

[yawetag]

yawetag - i have often thought that, but being married for twenty-seven yrs. (next week) i have learned when to bite my tongue. sometimes until it bleeds

Congrats. I'm at 8 years, and have slowly learned the art of biting my tongue.

[Kevin Finnerty]

I think us 20-plus years married guys all have BTS, or Bloody Tongue Syndrome.

[boyinr]

You get suddenly accustomed to them the first time you take a shot and feel significantly less of a jolt than with the regular ones.

You are correct KF. I got hit twice tonite. The first one was deflected off the CP into the $4.99 piece of plastic protecting my throat and the mask extention. The other was a direct mask shot. The wrap around pads are good. Both balls left marks.

[Kevin Finnerty]

.... ;)