LLWS umps

[amb1995]

Is it just me or do I see a lot of diamond masks with stock pads being worn by the guys behind the plate? Are they given these masks like the players are uniforms, or do they choose to? From what I could gather on the equipment forums the diamond pads are not something an umpire should trust his or her face behind.

[JaxRolo]

I think it is just a common mask at a decent price. Then they just don't know any better to change pads.

[BigUmpire]

Diamonds are fine for this level.

[amb1995]

Diamonds are fine for this level.

Have you seen the size of some of those 12 year olds....I'm not sure I'd say safe in some cases,but then again, I've never actually taken a shot in one of those masks.

[Rich Ives]

 

Diamonds are fine for this level.

Have you seen the size of some of those 12 year olds....I'm not sure I'd say safe in some cases,but then again, I've never actually taken a shot in one of those masks.

 

 

But the fastball pitch speed is like a slow curve in HS ball. 70 or so for the top players.  Not nearly the kinetic energy of a "real" fastball.

[JaxRolo]

Diamonds are good mask at higher levels as well. Just replace the pads.

[Bumps]

I use the Diamond with stock pads for HS games I do. Have taken a few different shots. The pads are fine, they just won't last as long.

[JaxRolo]

They are not fine pads at all. Unless you bought the more recent style diamond mask. Those have a bit better set of pads.

[zm1283]

There are youth and high school (And probably some college) umpires all over the country using old pads that are far worse than the stock Diamond pads. They're not Wilson's or Team Wendys, but they're not unsafe with 12 year-olds.

[JaxRolo]

There are youth and high school (And probably some college) umpires all over the country using old pads that are far worse than the stock Diamond pads. They're not Wilson's or Team Wendys, but they're not unsafe with 12 year-olds.

those people just don't know what they don't know.

But it is a personal choice. Just trying to give experienced advice. Good luck.

[SJA]

. . . "those people just don't know what they don't know."

. . . "Just trying to give experienced advice. Good luck."

. . . and that, IS experienced advice x2 . . .

SJA :-)

[OveBerven]

Not sure what mask they were wearing at LLWS but the Diamond Ump-BL mask has excellent pads. Full grain leather and great protection.

[MadMax]

The Championship game of the LLWS featured either a Wilson A3000 -series (more than likely) or a Honig's Pro-Line on the PU. Either way, it's a black mask with tan, 3-point pads with no visible trademark or logo on the chin patch. The additional TG is branded as a Honig's though.

 

The Diamond mask we're all referring to (@JaxRolo, @OveBerven, @amb1995, @BigUmpire, et.al.) is the Diamond DFM-iX3-UMP. It is based off the DFM-iX3-PRO (for catcher), which itself is based off the DFM-43. The iX3-UMP and iX3-PRO are only similar in their construction, using extremely lightweight hollow steel. The mask is _outstanding_, but the stock pads are, truly, _woeful_. Diamond must have taken this feedback to heart, because they have since released the DFM-UMP-BL (stands for "Big League", which @OveBerven noted), and retired the DFM-iX3-UMP. They're the same design, but with completely reworked pads. Constructed of a different material, they are easily twice as thick as the original stocks. This alone increases the stand-off distance, making them a much more effective pad than the previous ones.