"Foul-tip bar" or "cap gaurd"

[umpirecordova]

I have been noticing with a lot of the new masks that a lot of them ,such as the diamond and the champro magnesium light weight mask and even on the new honigs frame. They all have that bar that sits on top of the frame. I call it a "foul tip bar" and I have heard called a cap guard as well. My question to you is:

Do you like this new addition to the masks? If you do why do you like it?

If you don't, Have any of you attempted to remove it? (if you have removed it i would love to see a picture)

Personally I don't think its necessary, Unless your ducking when a pitch comes in, it will almost never hit you on the head. (and if thats the case my opinion isn't to change your gear, its change your mechanics,) and I think it looks hideous, I have pro ambitions one day and I believe and dressing for the job you want and for me that also means looking at what they use behind the plate, and I see almost none in both mlb and milb using a rig with the bar on top. I saw a college guy wearing a diamond silver frame with the standard pads on it and he looked smitty to me but he was doing NCAA D-1.

I thought I would share this with you guys and see what you think, Thank you

[kcfan102]

I'll be the first to say, a foul tip has never hit my mask, or my person. I've never seen a foul tip go anywhere but a catchers hands.

They are getting more popular, probably for a reason. I've personally never been hit on the very top of my head, but not to say it hasn't happen.

[p1timeblue]

I'll be the first to say, a foul tip has never hit my mask, or my person. I've never seen a foul tip go anywhere but a catchers hands.

They are getting more popular, probably for a reason. I've personally never been hit on the very top of my head, but not to say it hasn't happen.

Ha!

I got hit on the top of the head once with my old mask because I turned my head down.

If the top U-bar adds confidence in the PU to keep his head still, then that's a plus.

[JaxRolo]

I personally don't care what type of bars my mask has on it. I want my mask to be light and comfortable and to protect me.

[Fittske24]

"Foul-tip" bars are designed only for umpires that place their head in the catcher's mit.

....sorry I couldn't resist :angel4:

[umpirecordova]

I had a feeling i was going to get a lot of responses about it not being hit with a "foul tip"

[midmoump]

In 2009 MLB umpire Jim Reynolds was hit on the head during warm ups. The catcher missed the ball and Reynolds ducked his head. I'm sure a momentary loss of concentration caused him to react - who would have expected it? We all have losses of concentration that result in flinches. It seems to me that a cap guard would help protect your head during flinches.

Here is the video:

http://mlb.mlb.com/n...t=.jsp&c_id=stl

Pete

[grayhawk]

In 2009 MLB umpire Jim Reynolds was hit on the head during warm ups. The catcher missed the ball and Reynolds ducked his head. I'm sure a momentary loss of concentration caused him to react - who would have expected it? We all have losses of concentration that result in flinches. It seems to me that a cap guard would help protect your head during flinches.

Here is the video:

http://mlb.mlb.com/n...t=.jsp&c_id=stl

Pete

Interesting that he wasn't in the slot on that warmup pitch. If he was, it would have missed him. I have been hit with a foul ball that was just tipped off the bat. It was a bunt attempt on an inside pitch and it hit me squarely on the "chin" of my mask. It was probably about 80 mph and I suffered no ill effects. In fact, getting hit like that really gave me confidence to lock in on those inside pitches. I'd like to say I'm flinch free, but am still working on it. I do know that when I am really focused, I am MUCH less likely to flinch. As to the bar, I have a silver frame Diamond with the bar on it and I honestly never gave it a thought. I don't think it looks good or bad, and it doesn't affect how I approach my plate work.

[semper_fi_72]

I am pretty sure they were put there for a reason, especially since most masks have them.

Like to protect the top of your head, which in most cases is higher that your forehead.

Why not cut off the bars on the side that protect the side of your head and ears!!!!!!!

As others have said, keep your head out of the catchers mitt and you will never be hit by a foul tip.

[amarillo]

as an aside the comments on the above link were very kind of the umpires

[Thunderheads]

I have pro ambitions one day and I believe and dressing for the job you want and for me that also means looking at what they use behind the plate, and I see almost none in both mlb and milb using a rig with the bar on top.

This is the comment that grabbed me. What do your aspirations of being a pro have anything to do with the fact that you don't see pros wearing a mask that have this 'bar' ???? I guess you already have your West Vest Shins, your Gold, your Wilson this, your Wilson that, your NB plate shoes, your Honigs Poly Wools, etc, etc, etc ??

[Fittske24]

Personally I do not think that the bar is needed. Like JAX said, I look for a mask that is light, allows me the best possible visibility and protects me. I would say that if an umpire is getting hit on the top of his/her head, there is a bigger problem with his/her mechanics. If you have a good stance with proper head height any mask should protect the top of your head. If you have too much forward lean this puts you in jeopardy of sustaining an injury to the top of your head. (See below) I see this a lot with guys who work the scissors and the Gerry Davis. Late in the game they tend to "lean" more in the slot and dont bring their head up.

[JaxRolo]

Personally I do not think that the bar is needed. Like JAX said, I look for a mask that is light, allows me the best possible visibility and protects me. I would say that if an umpire is getting hit on the top of his/her head, there is a bigger problem with his/her mechanics. If you have a good stance with proper head height any mask should protect the top of your head. If you have too much forward lean this puts you in jeopardy of sustaining an injury to the top of your head. (See below) I see this a lot with guys who work the scissors and the Gerry Davis. Late in the game they tend to "lean" more in the slot and dont bring their head up.

Thats a great picture

[NWA_UMP]

Here is my take on the whole issue..

I use the Champro magnesium...it has one on it...did't buy the mask becasue it had one...don't care to take the time to cut it off...never seen anyone hit in a manner that the deflector would have stopped it...basically it is a non-issue.

However, it makes a great place to hang my mask on my handy dandy mask hook...:clap:

[Thunderheads]

However, it makes a great place to hang my mask on my handy dandy mask hook...

:Spit_20Laugh:

[midmoump]

Fitts! Nice picture!

Pete