Hit in the Mask question

[clasonater]

I was wearing the Force3 mask.  Catcher set up way outside for an 0-2 offer.  Pitcher was probably sitting at 85 or slightly higher.  He throws a 58 foot fastball right in the slot that the catcher had no shot at.  I heard the mask and felt pain in my chin and jaw.  I didn't feel any head ache or concussion symptoms at all, put my chin was bruised when I woke up in the morning.  Have any of you experienced this before? 

[ElkOil]

Are you sure it hit your mask and not under it?  I have a hard time understanding how a bruise can develop if it strikes a good mask with good padding, like yours.  The only time I've gotten bruised was when a ball hit unprotected body parts.  I'm nursing one on my forearm and one on my inner thigh as we speak.

[clasonater]

I know right, thats what I was thinking too. My partner said he wasn't sure. 

[gnhbua93]

Are you sure it hit your mask and not under it?  I have a hard time understanding how a bruise can develop if it strikes a good mask with good padding, like yours.  The only time I've gotten bruised was when a ball hit unprotected body parts.  I'm nursing one on my forearm and one on my inner thigh as we speak.

+1

I know right, thats what I was thinking too. My partner said he wasn't sure. 

Pretty sure your partner was in lala land before it happened.

 

[Mr Ump]

A bruise should not happen. Time to contact Force3 for new mask/refund/convo. Send pics too. Maybe that's not the rig for you. 

Edited September 27, 2015 by Mr Ump

[gnhbua93]

I've taken many shots to my Force3 mask without any bruising. I've never heard of bruising after getting hit in the mask with a ball. No doubt this hit you, not the mask

[gnhbua93]

Even with the other masks that I used before this never happened.  I think because I use a throat guard in all my masks except the Defender Force3 mask. I would say you should think of adding a throat guard in the mix.

[kylejt]

No two shots are the same, so it's hard to compare them. You may have got struck at such an angle to where those springs didn't load up, and delivered the full force to the second frame. I don't think we'll ever know.

Edited October 2, 2015 by kylejt

[umpstu]

I was wearing the Force3 mask.  Catcher set up way outside for an 0-2 offer.  Pitcher was probably sitting at 85 or slightly higher.  He throws a 58 foot fastball right in the slot that the catcher had no shot at.  I heard the mask and felt pain in my chin and jaw.  I didn't feel any head ache or concussion symptoms at all, put my chin was bruised when I woke up in the morning.  Have any of you experienced this before? 

I wear the Force 3 and don't believe it hit the mask.  How do you wear the mask?  Do you wear it really loose?

[umpstu]

A bruise should not happen. Time to contact Force3 for new mask/refund/convo. Send pics too. Maybe that's not the rig for you. 

The Force 3 has really good padding and protection.  I think it may not have hit the mask or he was wearing it wrong.

[clasonater]

I wear it tight.  And I do not wear a throat guard.  I doubt it was the integrity of the mask as well, I've actually had a real good experience with it so far compared to TWs on a light frame.  I saw the ball hit the dirt and that was about it. 

I was just wondering if this has ever happened to anyone else before.  Could it have hit my CP and deflected up and out under my chin?  And ya, my partner was in lala land.

[clasonater]

Just to be clear, I am not attempting to blame the mask.  I love that damn thing. 

[maineump]

I had one out of the dirt, off the catchers inside shoulder to the jaw. It hit under the mask, where no throat guard would help. Sounds like it hit you under the mask. Once the ball is in the dirt, the deflections just happen so quick, and like you said you lost sight of it, then the hit happened. Did it hit the 'slot side' of your jaw or the other one?

I too, heard the mask (and it moved it) and felt the hit to the jaw. Mine went off the catchers inside shoulder (left) and hit me on the right side of the jaw. The only thing I could tell you, is the shot told me I was in the slot far enough

  I don't think that any mask would help that shot. After a week or so, the swelling went down.

Edited September 27, 2015 by maineump

[umpstu]

I wear it tight.  And I do not wear a throat guard.  I doubt it was the integrity of the mask as well, I've actually had a real good experience with it so far compared to TWs on a light frame.  I saw the ball hit the dirt and that was about it. 

I was just wondering if this has ever happened to anyone else before.  Could it have hit my CP and deflected up and out under my chin?  And ya, my partner was in lala land.

Very possible it did deflect off of your cp.  I have been hit in the ear and on top of my head before.  Thought an insect stung me on the ear and realized I had been hit when I felt blood rolling down the side of my neck.  Defecation occurs.

[clasonater]

I think I figured it out today.  Normally I chew gum behind the plate.  With the force3 I noticed that the continual motion of chewing makes the mask ride up on your face just a tad.  Enough so that the lower bar on the inner frame can actually hit the middle of your chin when hit with force.  That is why they have the wrap around pad design... i believe. 

[Majordave]

My thoughts on getting hit in the mask:

Other night I'm working plate and get an up and in pitch I flinch because I think I'm taking one to the face but catcher grabs it right in front of my face. I say to F2 "I flinched. F*#K, I don't like balls to the face. Catcher says "that's not what we heard."  Woohoo. Good burn of me with that one. 

Hahaha  have a great day! I plan to.

 

[BuckeyeMike]

The other day I had a batter get hit with his batted ball while he still had one foot in the box on his way to 1B.   I kill it and yell loudly, "TIME!  THAT HIT HIM IN THE BOX!"   To which I hear (of all people) MOMs laughing hysterically and repeating what I just said.   

[Majordave]

Good one Mike. I've never had the pleasure of knowing a female who understood or wanted to acknowledge that she understood all of the euphemisms we have for that special place. Good on ya' man.

Edited October 6, 2015 by Majordave
correct spelling error.

[Umpire in Chief]

@clasonater Like others I haven't had this happen either, but anything can happen.

I wear it tight. 

My thought is this... Are you wearing it too tight? While the Force3 mask has springs, you may want to loosen it up. When you look straight down the mask should hang off your face. This is important as it allows the energy of the impact to better be absorbed/deflected by the mask.

I have no doubt the quality of the Force3 mask is top notch. Another important aspect is your comfort level. Any piece of equipment could be the absolute best, but if you lose confidence or comfort with it, it is probably time for something new.

[clasonater]

I am very comfortable with the mask.  And i know that it has done its job, Its supposed to be worn tight but I tend to overthink stuff like that.  I might shoot a message to force3 and ask them the proper way it should be worn, so there is no ambiguity

 

[Umpire in Chief]

 Its supposed to be worn tight but I tend to overthink stuff like that.  I might shoot a message to force3 and ask them the proper way it should be worn, so there is no ambiguity

 

Interesting please let us know what they say.

[JaxRolo]

Inferior equipment will do that to you ! 

[gnhbua93]

So you are implying that the Force3 mask is inferior equipment?

[JaxRolo]

So you are implying that the Force3 mask is inferior equipment?

yes

[gnhbua93]

yes

Prove your point then, don't say yes only.