With or without a hat

[Storm13]

I am in the process of deciding on a mask or HSM and I know with he mask you should wear a hat but what is the proper procedure/protocol for umps using the HSM?  I have tried to wear a hat under my HSM and it always comes off.  Thanks for your input.

[smckin]

I don't wear a hat under my HSM, however a lot of people do..

[noumpere]

Some wear it; some don't.  Some associations require it.

 

If you practice, you can get the helmet off without the hat coming off.

[KenBAZ]

When I went back to a HSM I didn't like the tiny brim hat that I could wear underneath it. For a while I wore my Association hat on to the field and to plate meetings. I would then stick it in the fence somewhere. I lost too many hats that way. Now I wear a lycra skull cap to protect my head from the sun or nothing at night under my helmet. Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

[Thunderheads]

An All-Star MVP allows up to a 6 stitch ....

Ed Hickox wears one under his AllStar ....

Kerwin Danley wears one under his Wilson ...

[MadMax]

If a hat just won't go under a HSM for ya, it just won't happen. @noumpere has good insight that, with practice, a HSM can be removed without removing the hat too. And yes, there are some associations that are particular about a hat for dress code standards and want to see that take a practiced approach to this, as minor as it might seem.

I've advised partners and fellow umpires that it isn't a big issue. There are some tournaments and baseball experiences (CDP, for example) that have a dress code for their participants (including coaches), which often includes a hat, so it causes less friction if the umpires wear hats for the pre-game preliminaries and plate-meeting. Once the game is underway, just stick the hat by your water bottle or in a ball bag.

[Thunderheads]

here's Hickox ...you can see the brim in this pic .......

[Storm13]

here's Hickox ...you can see the brim in this pic .......

I didn't mean to make it seem as if i thought it couldn't be done...I just asked what the normal procedure was.

[Thunderheads]

I didn't mean to make it seem as if i thought it couldn't be done...I just asked what the normal procedure was.

No, no, you're good.   Most don't wear one ..... but it can be done.  That's all I'm letting you know ...if you chose, you can

[Storm13]

Personally...I think it looks more professional to have a hat but I have had a hard time with them under the helmet.  I am looking at a couple of options and ordered a "beanie" today and will see how that goes.

[Thunderheads]

Personally...I think it looks more professional to have a hat but I have had a hard time with them under the helmet.  I am looking at a couple of options and ordered a "beanie" today and will see how that goes.

Ok, stop ...hang on a minute.

First I agree...looks better w/ a hat ....but ...

What HSM did you try a hat with at first (that you had trouble with) ?

[Storm13]

It is a Mizuno HSM...I am not sure the model or anything...I have got it in storage now because the padding is falling out all over.

[Thunderheads]

It is a Mizuno HSM...I am not sure the model or anything...I have got it in storage now because the padding is falling out all over.

So, you plan on getting a new one then I take it.  Good .... My suggestion is the MVP from All-Star

p.s. Don't get a beanie .... just get a combo (4 stitch)

[catsbackr]

Storm13, 

 

Listen to Jeff.  Get the All Star.  I wear a 7 3/4 hat and can get the All Star off with zero problems with my hat.  PRACTICE!

[ElkOil]

When I first got my Wilson HSM, I tried wearing a 4-stitch, but couldn't get it right.  The brim was always hitting the helmet.  I don't wear a hat as a result and my association is okay with that.

[JaxRolo]

No hat

[MadMax]

A Mizuno HSM, @Storm13? 

Does it look like this?

Or like this?

Mizuno isn't known for making a HSM to accommodate umpires. Their signature Samurai HSM (top image) has probably the most amount of internal cushioning and greatest standoff distance of any HSMs, but not designed to be worn with a hat at all. Most of the other manufacturers – Diamond, Easton, Rawlings, Schutt... even Force3 – designed their HSMs with sight lines at a priority alongside being as sleek and compact as possible, at the sacrifice of internal volume (and distance from cage to forehead) that would otherwise accommodate a hat.

By contrast, though, Wilson's Shock FX HSMs are cavernous inside, while All-Star uses a shell and padding design unlike all the others (UnderArmour HSMs are just re-branded All-Stars), thus are fairly adept at fitting a hat, and not lifting it off the wearer's head when removing the mask.

[Tksjewelry]

I wear the Wilson shock 2. I wear a hat to the plate meeting and then place it with my cooler. I tried and tried to practice getting it off with a hat on to no avail and it never really fit right with the hat. Plus, it continually pulled my hair out of its bun, which wouldn't be a problem for you, but it made me look a wreck. Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

[umpstu]

Personally...I think it looks more professional to have a hat but I have had a hard time with them under the helmet.  I am looking at a couple of options and ordered a "beanie" today and will see how that goes.

I think I'd rather not have a hat then wear a beanie.  But that's a personal preference.

[DVA7130]

Traditional are preferred for looking professional. Otherwise you are the only one on the field without one or doing gymnastics every play to take the thing off.

I cringe seeing hats rolled up in the fence. (I have even seen umpires do this while wearing a traditional  )

[LittleBlue]

I have a Wilson Shock FX 2.0 and an All Star MVP and I don't wear a hat under either. I don't wear a hat to the plate meeting or during innings, but I've worked with guys who have.

[kylejt]

If the brim of your hat is touching, or nearly touching the inside of your helmet, or mask, you're asking for trouble. When the helmet/mask drives the brim of your hat toward your brain, that's a bad thing.

This is commonly over looked, yet very important to check. Don't counteract all that great equipment with this error.

[RichMSN]

A lot of the groups that require hats do so because they really don't want umpires wearing the helmets.

I have a helmet and I wear it about half the time.  Game time decision for me -- helmet or titanium mask.  If I wear the helmet, I don't wear a hat.  Obviously, if I wear a mask, I do.  There's no chance I'm going to try to wear a hat under a helmet.

[Storm13]

A Mizuno HSM, @Storm13? 

Does it look like this?

Or like this?

Mizuno isn't known for making a HSM to accommodate umpires. Their signature Samurai HSM (top image) has probably the most amount of internal cushioning and greatest standoff distance of any HSMs, but not designed to be worn with a hat at all. Most of the other manufacturers – Diamond, Easton, Rawlings, Schutt... even Force3 – designed their HSMs with sight lines at a priority alongside being as sleek and compact as possible, at the sacrifice of internal volume (and distance from cage to forehead) that would otherwise accommodate a hat.

By contrast, though, Wilson's Shock FX HSMs are cavernous inside, while All-Star uses a shell and padding design unlike all the others (UnderArmour HSMs are just re-branded All-Stars), thus are fairly adept at fitting a hat, and not lifting it off the wearer's head when removing the mask.

The HSM I have is an older Mizuno Samurai. It did a good job but is just starting to fall apart...the foam pads are all falling out. I have a few options I am going to try out and see where things go. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

[kylehutson]

I wear the Wilson shock 2. I wear a hat to the plate meeting and then place it with my cooler. I tried and tried to practice getting it off with a hat on to no avail and it never really fit right with the hat. Plus, it continually pulled my hair out of its bun, which wouldn't be a problem for you, but it made me look a wreck. Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

How do you know I don't wear my hair in a bun?