Umpire Mask/Helmet

[Storm13]

I umpired for several years but took a few year break to play summer ball myself and getting back to the umpiring part of the game.  The majority of my equipment is ok but I have a birthday coming up so am considering upgrading my equipment this fall for the coming season and wanted to get some help/advice/opinions on masks. I have used an old hockey-style mask this summer.  However, this mask was a used one i bought off a friend and it is starting to fall apart.  So I feel it is time to upgrade. I am not opposed to the traditional mask...just used the hockey style mask since I could get it cheap to get through this summer.  I am hoping to keep the mask/helmet under $125 or so and would be open to suggested combinations not just straight "out of the box" setups.  Any suggestions would be great and I hope to meet you all soon.  

[Majordave]

Please search this forum first. Tons of mask/helmet info. You could read for a week. I'm serious. 

Mask porn thread is good start so you can see the different combos guys wear. You can then PM or directly ask guys here your specific questions and you will get dozens of responses.

Make sense?

[kylehutson]

Agreed. 'Storm' seems to be an appropriate name for such a question.

[Platejob29]

If you're budget is in the $125 you probably want to focus on the steel frames in that range just because they are but a little better than their lighter fancier alloy counter parts. Sure it won't be the lightest thing out there but it will be safe. The Wilson Dyna-Lite steel frames are a great bang for your bunk. You can get one for $60 and then have money left over to put whatever pads you want on it and a throat guard. The Mizuno 2QA-122 is another great choice and you can find them used in pretty good shape for around $120. You might have to spend a little more than your originally planned $125 though because you'll want to get new pads and a throat guard on that for sure. Possibly even a harness too. Even then though it still wouldn't put you back too much.

[Storm13]

I am sorry if my question is not appropriate for this group.  I am just trying to get opinions and suggestions on masks...didn't want to just look at a bunch of different mask setups and then not know if the setup works well or just show.  I appreciate the help Platejob29. 

[kylejt]

honigs.com, when the website straightens itself out, has a light steel frame, loaded with Team Wendy pads. Find a sunshield, and a Mizuno throat protector, and you have a great rig for around a C note.

[Majordave]

Hey Storm13. I ain't mad atcha. I'm just sayin that we have dozens of conversations in this equipment and in some cases other forums as our gear is near and dear to our hearts for most of us.  For some of us maybe too much. The pics will give you ideas of what's out there. Some really cool and inventive mask and helmet set ups on our brethren. I'm particularly proud of mine as are almost all who post in this forum. 

Research is good for you. It can be done on your own time instead of waiting to read a dozen or three or six opinions of what you should do. But, you can do what you want. I was just trying to help you jumpstart your search since you don't seem to have any idea what you want or didn't say what you wanted.  Good luck man. 

[KenBAZ]

I think you might want to review some of the postings related to safety. You have a decision to make of traditional mask vs hockey style mask. Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

[Thunderheads]

Hey Storm13. I ain't mad atcha. I'm just sayin that we have dozens of conversations in this equipment and in some cases other forums as our gear is near and dear to our hearts for most of us.  For some of us maybe too much. The pics will give you ideas of what's out there. Some really cool and inventive mask and helmet set ups on our brethren. I'm particularly proud of mine as are almost all who post in this forum. 

Research is good for you. It can be done on your own time instead of waiting to read a dozen or three or six opinions of what you should do. But, you can do what you want. I was just trying to help you jumpstart your search since you don't seem to have any idea what you want or didn't say what you wanted.  Good luck man. 

I couldn't agree more.  Dave is just stating the facts Storm ...no one is mad at anyone here.  And, ...for the record,...why anyone gets pissed when told to search a forum is beyond me (not that you think this way Storm, just sayin' ).    "Search" just means ....hey, your answer is hear somewhere, ... TONS of info .... and like Dave said, ...DOZENS UPON DOZENS of conversations re: masks, combos, etc .... 

Having said that .... Platejob29 gives good advice .... $125 is a NICE budget to grab yourself something nice!  My suggestion is a light super strong steel frame ... All-Star FM25. Find one on Ebay for $25 bucks, and then send it to Tony at Mask-it Sports to have it powdercoated all pretty, ...put your favorite pads on it , and have fun all season without having to worry.   All-Star tests their masks with their own air cannon at 100mph .... nuf said

[Storm13]

Hey Storm13. I ain't mad atcha. I'm just sayin that we have dozens of conversations in this equipment and in some cases other forums as our gear is near and dear to our hearts for most of us.  For some of us maybe too much. The pics will give you ideas of what's out there. Some really cool and inventive mask and helmet set ups on our brethren. I'm particularly proud of mine as are almost all who post in this forum. 

Research is good for you. It can be done on your own time instead of waiting to read a dozen or three or six opinions of what you should do. But, you can do what you want. I was just trying to help you jumpstart your search since you don't seem to have any idea what you want or didn't say what you wanted.  Good luck man. 

I am sorry if I came across as being upset or anything I am just overwhelmed with different pads, frames, and combinations.  I was hoping to get opinions from guys (and gals) that are currently using different combinations and have looked through the different threads already looking for ideas.  Just so many.  i have no clue what I need or what is going to work for me.  I may just have to get several and test them myself.

[Thunderheads]

I am sorry if I came across as being upset or anything I am just overwhelmed with different pads, frames, and combinations.  I was hoping to get opinions from guys (and gals) that are currently using different combinations and have looked through the different threads already looking for ideas.  Just so many.  i have no clue what I need or what is going to work for me.  I may just have to get several and test them myself.

No need to apologize!  It can be overwhelming!

Ok, so ...you said you've looked through different threads ...... where did that leave you?  Any front runners? What caught your eye??

[KenBAZ]

For what it's worth, I believe that if you move from a HSM to a traditional mask you will be giving up some protection. You don't have to get used to a HSM since you're already wearing one. Most of the catcher's masks will be HSM because it affords more protection. Why switch to a traditional mask? Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

[Storm13]

No need to apologize!  It can be overwhelming!

Ok, so ...you said you've looked through different threads ...... where did that leave you?  Any front runners? What caught your eye??

i looked through teh Mask Porn thread and had so many different things going on that i have no clue.  I did go ahead and get one mask off ebay last night a Wilson WTA 3017.  Will give it a shot and move from there.

[Thunderheads]

i looked through teh Mask Porn thread and had so many different things going on that i have no clue.  I did go ahead and get one mask off ebay last night a Wilson WTA 3017.  Will give it a shot and move from there.

ok ...

you said you looked through "different threads" ....... you say here you only looked at one?  The DynaLite is a good start

[Storm13]

For what it's worth, I believe that if you move from a HSM to a traditional mask you will be giving up some protection. You don't have to get used to a HSM since you're already wearing one. Most of the catcher's masks will be HSM because it affords more protection. Why switch to a traditional mask? Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

To be honest about it I think it looks more professional to have a hat on when you take your mask off and i have found it almost impossible to keep a hat on under a hockey style helmet.  I am going to probably just try out a few setups and see how they go this fall.

[Thunderheads]

For what it's worth, I believe that if you move from a HSM to a traditional mask you will be giving up some protection. You don't have to get used to a HSM since you're already wearing one. Most of the catcher's masks will be HSM because it affords more protection. Why switch to a traditional mask? Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

how so?

[Thunderheads]

To be honest about it I think it looks more professional to have a hat on when you take your mask off and i have found it almost impossible to keep a hat on under a hockey style helmet.  I am going to probably just try out a few setups and see how they go this fall.

Not true.  The All-Star MVP can EASILY accommodate a 6 stitch cap!   (See: Ed Hickox ...and his MVP 4000 is "super" customized w/ thicker padding for concussion-proof purposes)

[Storm13]

Not true.  The All-Star MVP can EASILY accommodate a 6 stitch cap!   (See: Ed Hickox ...and his MVP 4000 is "super" customized w/ thicker padding for concussion-proof purposes)

Ok...well maybe it has just been the cheap hockey style masks I have been using the last year or so but i tried to do a hat under it and 

[Man_In_Black]

For what it's worth, I believe that if you move from a HSM to a traditional mask you will be giving up some protection.

Many studies have been done and nothing conclusive has been proven. HSM's will protect you better against backswings and rebounds from short and overhanging backstops. If you umpire often on fields with these type of backstops, it might be the way to go. Also, if you are a less experienced umpire who flinches and turns his head at pitches directly toward the noggin, then an HSM may have a leg up here, too. But the consensus is that conventional masks with quality pads protect aganst concussions better than the HSM.

Nearly all games I work have suspended net backstops (like in MLB stadiums) which are a fair distance from the plate, so no fear of pop fouls nailing me on the cap button or "straight backers" rebounding into the back of my head.

Most of the catcher's masks will be HSM because it affords more protection.

Many, many catchers wear HSM's only because their their leagues mandate it. You'd be surprised how many catchers ditch their HSMs as soon as they get to college or pro ball because they're simply feel more comfortable with them than an HSM. For F2s who really know how to catch, a conventional mask with with a skull cap will protect just as well as an HSM.

[kylehutson]

Sorry, I should have been more specific.

Your question is like going to a car show and saying "I have $40k to spend on a car - what should I get?" That's enough to buy a very nice car, but you're not going to be going to the Lamborghini dealers. But asking that question is also very subjective - what's "best" for one person isn't the "best" for another - there's a lot of personal preference involved.

The good news is that with your budget, there aren't any really bad choices - just a matter of what you like the best for what you can afford.

[Storm13]

Sorry, I should have been more specific.

Your question is like going to a car show and saying "I have $40k to spend on a car - what should I get?" That's enough to buy a very nice car, but you're not going to be going to the Lamborghini dealers. But asking that question is also very subjective - what's "best" for one person isn't the "best" for another - there's a lot of personal preference involved.

The good news is that with your budget, there aren't any really bad choices - just a matter of what you like the best for what you can afford.

Ok...so I picked up a Wilson WTA 3017 last night on ebay and am going to see how i like that for a game or two and then maybe get a couple more masks to figure out a regular setup that will work for me.  I am considering a Diamond Mask right now.  Any thoughts?

[Thunderheads]

Ok...so I picked up a Wilson WTA 3017 last night on ebay and am going to see how i like that for a game or two and then maybe get a couple more masks to figure out a regular setup that will work for me.  I am considering a Diamond Mask right now.  Any thoughts?

again ...... all of these opinions already exist

[Storm13]

again ...... all of these opinions already exist

Ok...so what questions can and can not be asked on here?  I post asking about masks in general and that does not seem to be cool then I ask about a specific brand and again it seems like that isn't alright either.  I am just trying to stay safe and make a good decision.  Thanks to everyone for the input and have a good day.

[KenBAZ]

So a HSM does protect better against backswing and short backstops. Also, it protects better if you turn your head? Isn't that enough to say it affords more protection? Regarding studies done on cocussion prevention, if they didn't support HSM or the concensus was that traditional masks were even equal to HSMs, why do we have the mandate to wear HSM for kids? Why do hockey goalies wear them? Why don't football helmets look like traditional masks. I qualified my statements by saying I believed HSM afforded more protection. It's an individual choice to make what he chooses to wear to protect himself. I make my choice for thousands of pitches a year. I hope I'm doing everything I can to protect myself. I just want Storm to be aware he has an important choice to make here. Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

[Man_In_Black]

Ok...so I picked up a Wilson WTA 3017 last night on ebay and am going to see how i like that for a game or two and then maybe get a couple more masks to figure out a regular setup that will work for me.  I am considering a Diamond Mask right now.  Any thoughts?

The Dyna-Lite is probably the most widely used mask among MLB umpires, so it's probably a good place to start. Slap on some Team Wendy or Wilson Memory Foam pads and you've got a nice rig.