Titanium Masks, Concussions, Carlos Santana

[Marcus6]

Thought this was interesting as this has been discussed here before, ad nauseum.

Indians catcher Carlos Santana suffered a concussion on May 26 when the Indians were taking on the White Sox in Chicago. Here is a link:

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=21751417&c_id=mlb

Whats he wearing? A Nike Titanium mask with Team Wendy pads (not surprising since Team Wendy is HQ'ed in Cleveland).

He recently came back, and is sporting new headgear: a non-titanium mask (looks like a steel TPX mask) and Team Wendy pads.

[Pete Peterson Sr]

And here I was wondering what a guitar player had to do with masks and concussions.....

[Welpe]

You were not the only one. I was picturing perhaps that's what the OP was hearing after suffering a concussion. I never heard Black Magic Woman after any of mine but you never know.

I'm starting to wonder if the old heavy steel mask I started umpiring with was more protective than what we have now.

[johnnyg08]

I'm sure they are. They simply weigh a ton.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Oye, como va?

[Fittske24]

Santana is under an equipment contract with Louisville slugger. The Nike frame he was wearing was probably given to him by another player who has a Nike contract. Im guessing he didn't have a back up nike frame and used what is readily available....ala his contracted TPX frames.

[T-Rav]

Anyone check out the Detroit vs. Cincinnati game on ESPN tonight? Angel Hernandez was sporting some type of mask, I want to say Wilson dyna light with team wendy pads.

[Thunderheads]

Anyone check out the Detroit vs. Cincinnati game on ESPN tonight? Angel Hernandez was sporting some type of mask, I want to say Wilson dyna light with team wendy pads.

Yep, Dyna Lite w/ Team Wendy pads, ... logo blacked out

[semper_fi_72]

You were not the only one. I was picturing perhaps that's what the OP was hearing after suffering a concussion. I never heard Black Magic Woman after any of mine but you never know.

I'm starting to wonder if the old heavy steel mask I started umpiring with was more protective than what we have now.

The answer is yes.

Everyone has gone to Ti and low profile, light weight, etc, etc.

Steel is heavier and weaker.

But when you take a good shot the steel bends, that absorbed some of the impact so your face and head didn't have to.

But then some turn around and complain to the manufacturer that the mask bent

Your mask is your decision.

Please consider everything and make good choices based on safety and protection.

Not the current fad or hot new item.

[noumpere]

Agreed and while the team wendy pads seem to absorb more impact I have to wonder if that will be negated somewhat if they fit "inside" the mask and the mask itself still gets pushed against your forehead. Now if they made wraparount team wendy pads that would be good.

[Welpe]

Your mask is your decision.

Speaking of which, how is your All-Star HSM treating you? I think I'd be more likely to consider one if it weren't so oppressively hot here.

[scrounge]

Your mask is your decision.

Speaking of which, how is your All-Star HSM treating you? I think I'd be more likely to consider one if it weren't so oppressively hot here.

Actually, my All Star 2500 seems just as cool and well ventilated - if not MORE so - than wearing a mask and hat, even a mesh one. And the removable, machine-washable pads make it even more convenient.

[semper_fi_72]

Your mask is your decision.

Speaking of which, how is your All-Star HSM treating you? I think I'd be more likely to consider one if it weren't so oppressively hot here.

My All Star System 7 HSM is treating me great.

Yes it is warm at times but I have gotten over that.

I have now taken a couple of shots and haven't felt a thing.

[slo8140]

I call in East Texas and my system 7 HSM is much cooler than wearing a cap and a traditional mask. Every now and then I will decide to wear a cap and a regular mask and I regret it a couple of innings in because the vision is not as good and it is hotter.

What has really made a difference for me this season heat wise are the Rite Temp pads from Ump-attire. They are great and I have yet to have a game where I had to switch pads mid game. I could of switched out Saturday night, but by the time the pad stopped working it was the bottom of the 7th (9 inning College Summer League game) and I really did not feel the need to cool down.

[Welpe]

Well this is interesting, maybe I'll consider the MVP4000. I wore an HSM as a catcher and it felt hotter to me. I guess the equipment has changed.

[T-Rav]

I wear the MVP2500 with a wool beanie cap underneath. It's plenty cool and I do allot of weekend games in the searing heat. If I want to change it up I use the honigs and team wendy traditional mask combo and it works like a charm.

[Thunderheads]

I wear the MVP2500 with a wool beanie cap underneath. It's plenty cool and I do allot of weekend games in the searing heat. If I want to change it up I use the honigs and team wendy traditional mask combo and it works like a charm.

Why,...when you can easily rock a 6 stitch under an MVP.....

[Welpe]

If I get one, I'm wearing it the way it was designed to be worn, sans cap.

[Thunderheads]

If I get one, I'm wearing it the way it was designed to be worn, sans cap.

Where does it say that?

Bill Welke, and Ed Hickox disagree :D

[slo8140]

I never wear a cap with my MVP4000. I cant imagine it being very comfortable and it would just be really hot to wear the hat under the helmet. I can understand wanting to look good when you take the HSM off, but I would imagine it would be brutal on caps. Smash them up a bunch.

[JaxRolo]

I never wear a cap with my MVP4000. I cant imagine it being very comfortable and it would just be really hot to wear the hat under the helmet. I can understand wanting to look good when you take the HSM off, but I would imagine it would be brutal on caps. Smash them up a bunch.

On Hot days it has to be bad wearing a wool cap inside the helmet.

[semper_fi_72]

I never wear one with mine.

What is the purpose of wearing a cap under it?

[Welpe]

Where does it say that?

Really? Look at the origin of the helmet. The design has not changed that much from hockey couple in the big sweat absorbing pads for the forehead and I think it's a foregone conclusion.

Bill Welke, and Ed Hickox disagree

Good for them, they're still the minority of MLB umpires that wear the HSM that way. I'm not going to put a hat on and then a giant plastic shell over my whole head, there's no need to do so. It has become an accepted look at all levels of baseball for PUs using HSMs to not wear a cap. Besides, you know what Jimmy Dugan said about the beanie cap (and a four stitch ain't much better).

[RichMSN]

The gear whore I am, I just ordered a System 7 HSM to complement my new System 7 traditional mask. I had this 10% discount (from my Premium Membership) and decided that just under $207 sounded better than $229.99.

[Welpe]

The gear whore I am, I just ordered a System 7 HSM to complement my new System 7 traditional mask. I had this 10% discount (from my Premium Membership) and decided that just under $207 sounded better than $229.99.

Let us know what you think, I'm considering a similar purchase.