New Mask

[MT_Blue]

Hey all,

 

I am finally getting to the point in my umpiring career where i am looking to buy a second set of gear for emergencies/replacements and so on, and am starting from the top down. At this point i am doing primarily Junior Olympic Fastpitch for ASA, and am looking for in a lot of cases 'lighter' gear than what i currently have. I have been looking through these forums and one place i am stuck is on a mask... Anyone have any suggestions for a light mask? currently i am using a Rawlings Solid wire mask which has served me well for goign on 10 seasons. I am not opposed to a full helmet (in fact i want to try one at some point in my carreer before my knee gives out), but i am looking primarily for a mask if possible.

 

The second peice that i am would put on the priority list is a new pair of shin gaurds (since i got a Diamond IX3-Ump last season to replace a 30 yr old hand me down from my father that i still pull out for nostalgia), mine are currently showing their age and have been in used since again i started 10 yrs ago, but they are again a pair of Rawlings ULDCW with an upper Knee cap.

 

I  am hoping to hear back from some of you! Have a great great day!

 

Ken

[Jocko]

Load this up with some TWs

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=281064535051&index=1&nav=WATCHING&nid=89781303835

Get a Diamond Ix3 or put out the change for a Titanium

[T-Rav]

As far as masks go I own:

1. honig's black framed mask with team wendy pads, <----I wear this when doing softball, my group seems to strongly dislike any non black masks.

2. Allstar HSM MVP2500 - I love my HSM. it provides great protection. And I do wear a hat underneath.

3. Diamond Silver Mask with Team Wendy Tan Pads- Love this setup, it's new for this season and has roughly 5 games under it's belt. Only downside I think is the harness

[JaxRolo]

Load this up with some TWs

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=281064535051&index=1&nav=WATCHING&nid=89781303835

Get a Diamond Ix3 or put out the change for a Titanium

 

I sent the seller a message to ask him if its spray painted or powder coated.

[MT_Blue]

first of all great suggestions (and so quick O.O), a question though, i do see TW pads come up alot on these forums, is that mainly for comfort? i would assume so but are they reasonablly priced? Honestly until scouting around here i had never heard of them! And on the color, my association is not picky so its not really an issue on that front

 

Ken

[Jocko]

TWs are the apex of mask evolution. They are made of military grade material that absolutely absorbs impact and disperses it away from your face. They've save me from sure concussion. $40 on U-A. Get them. Period.

[MT_Blue]

TWs are the apex of mask evolution. They are made of military grade material that absolutely absorbs impact and disperses it away from your face. They've save me from sure concussion. $40 on U-A. Get them. Period.

Cant argue with that, i was actually just reading about them and to be honest i was sold based on their item description and then seeing this, like i said i will probably invest and then just find a mask shell to put them in! so with mask out of the way anything on shin gaurds?

[T-Rav]

I've heard great things about both of these:

 

http://www.ump-attire.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=A3409&Category_Code=SHIN-GUARDS&Product_Count=2

 

http://www.ump-attire.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=LGU2000&Category_Code=SHIN-GUARDS&Product_Count=1

 

Personally I use the Honig's brand shin-guards for the past 3 seasons and have no plans on upgrading. 

[scrounge]

TWs are the apex of mask evolution. They are made of military grade material that absolutely absorbs impact and disperses it away from your face. They've save me from sure concussion. $40 on U-A. Get them. Period.

 

Yep. WAY too many people focus on the frames, yet it's the pads that actually protect you from the force of the ball. Many quality frames do just fine, maybe want to avoid a flatter low-profile style due to the potential for more head-on blows but that's about it. It's the pads that disperse the force and actually protect you.

[zm1283]

Hey all,

 

I am finally getting to the point in my umpiring career where i am looking to buy a second set of gear for emergencies/replacements and so on, and am starting from the top down. At this point i am doing primarily Junior Olympic Fastpitch for ASA, and am looking for in a lot of cases 'lighter' gear than what i currently have. I have been looking through these forums and one place i am stuck is on a mask... Anyone have any suggestions for a light mask? currently i am using a Rawlings Solid wire mask which has served me well for goign on 10 seasons. I am not opposed to a full helmet (in fact i want to try one at some point in my carreer before my knee gives out), but i am looking primarily for a mask if possible.

 

The second peice that i am would put on the priority list is a new pair of shin gaurds (since i got a Diamond IX3-Ump last season to replace a 30 yr old hand me down from my father that i still pull out for nostalgia), mine are currently showing their age and have been in used since again i started 10 yrs ago, but they are again a pair of Rawlings ULDCW with an upper Knee cap.

 

I  am hoping to hear back from some of you! Have a great great day!

 

Ken

________________________________________________

 

I'm not being a dick here, I'm honestly asking you this.  Other than maybe a backup mask, why do you need an entire extra set of equipment for the level you work?  Clean and take care of your gear and it will last quite a while.  I just don't see the need to spend money on an extra pair of shin guards just for the heck of it.  You said you got some Diamond shin guards last year.  What is wrong with them?  

[MT_Blue]

fair enough question, first though i have to clarify, the Diamond IXC was a replacement chest protector since the one i inhereted needs some TLC, but nothing is wrong with my gear present, in fact i try and keep it in the shape it was when i got it. the main motivation behind this is to actually just start to accumulate a second set as a 'what if' protection or if someone forgets something we can make something work, a cracked or bent mask is possible in a 14-18U game if you get the right situation (and im sure if there was some alignment of the stars), and i have taken a few shots to the face so essentially the extra mask is insurance that if mine does finally crack im not completeley out of a weekends work.. I have heard from a number of people that it is good to have extra stuff so that is what im starting to accumulate. what i am NOT doing however is accumulating to stay up with the time so to say in terms of gear. Long story short just to have a what if set in case the worst happens.

 

Ken

[boyinr]

I like the All Star FM25 or the FM4000. Both will work fine.

[Jocko]

I have 2 custom finished FM25s. My favorite

I also have a flat black. Need a pair of tan TWs for it.

[Jocko]

Looking at it, I think I'm going to remove the lower bars and add my TG78 (still not powder coated). Would look awesome. I'll post pics if I ever get around to it.