skull cap

[smckin]

Would wearing a catchers skull cap and mask (it would not be turned around backwards) be "unprofessional?

I have an HSM however after my neck surgery its too heavy ... But I want some protection...

[Omega194]

Hey if you need the hard shell for your safety go for it. Nothing non professional about that. Olerud wore one when he played. Go for it!

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[LRZ]

There have been similar discussions (and disagreements) on this forum about items like thigh and forearm pads. If you need the protection, don't worry unduly about how it looks. As amateurs, we have jobs, family lives and responsibilities. As long as I'm outfitted appropriately--clean uniform, polished shoes, required patches, etc.--I would not jeopardize my health and well-being because someone might think I'm dressed oddly.

[stkjock]

you could trim the brim down or off to not be as bulky.

 

out of the box idea - remove the side attachments?

http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/DECATHLON-FOUGANZA-Half-covered-Equestrian-Helmet-Horse-Racing-Helmet-for-Riding-Horse-for-Women-Men-or/823751_1803994680.html

 

or \/ only 1.5 #

 

http://www.daytonahelmets.com/d.o.t.-daytona-skull-cap-wo-visor-grey-carbon-fibe

[maineump]

I think it would be fine. Just remember to match the hat color, and get a non-shiny version. Many catchers are wearing them with the bill forward.

[umpstu]

2 hours ago, LRZ said:

There have been similar discussions (and disagreements) on this forum about items like thigh and forearm pads. If you need the protection, don't worry unduly about how it looks. As amateurs, we have jobs, family lives and responsibilities. As long as I'm outfitted appropriately--clean uniform, polished shoes, required patches, etc.--I would not jeopardize my health and well-being because someone might think I'm dressed oddly.

Amen. Some of us umpires are on blood thinners and our skin is more susceptible to tearing and I have seen this in person during a game. The forearm protection is good for that, although it seems that would be the only thing. Was kind of like bubble wrap.

[MadMax]

@stkjock (and interested others), I have been pursuing a solution for nearly two years (ask @Thunderheads or Grayhawk), and have developed a couple of viable ideas and a whole slew of sketches. My next mile marker in the process is to virtualize a model and either get it rapid-prototyped or submitted to an interested manufacturer for potential refinement and production.

It's finding an interested manufacturer (or underwriter) that gets problematic. This is fairly specialized. Easton, All-Star and Rawlings all make conventional "skull caps", used predominantly by catchers, and they are quite simple and downright crude. Rawlings made a new version that is vented, especially well received by base coaches. The pervasive rationale is "this works (for us), why change?". And why would any of those companies make beneficial gear for umpires.... When umpires have an exclusive contract with Wilson?!?!?!

Wilson hasn't done anything to advance the protection of umpires for over a decade. Exclusivity does far more harm than good.

So does anyone know someone who would be interested in my idea?

[Mudisfun]

I have a neighbor who works for a plastics manufacturer... I can inquire if this is something they would be able to work with as far as manufacturing goes. I know they do a lot of work for Surefire the tactical flashlight manufacturer so they may be able to come up with something for you.

[Sut'n Blue]

This sounds like a perfect project for an outfit with a 3D printer (prototype only of course).

[MadMax]

Without spilling details, this piece of headgear tics all the boxes. 2" pre-curved brim, textured (either coated or fabric-clad), vented, and using TPU-EVA foam in critical spots so as to help dampen any shocks transferred from the mask and its pads. Bolstered temple and ear protection too, but still more evocative of a hat than a HSM.

[kylejt]

NOCSAE approved?

 

Add that to the liability factor, and you know why folks don't make safety gear on their own.

[MadMax]

NOCSAE itself doesn't enforce the guidelines they create; the governing body (or bodies) of the various sports do. Thus, scholastic athletics – namely High School and NCAA – mandate that equipment for baseball players be NOCSAE-approved, but it doesn't say anything about umpires. Umpires are looked at by these governing bodies as adults with their own free choice and free will, and responsible for their own insurance.

If I was to market this "HelmCap" to its full potential, I would likely want to get it NOCSAE-approved, but since it's targeted at sentient umpires – adults with a thinking brain – I would like to get it out and being used and refined first. The NOCSAE approval process would come when it's snatched up and underwritten by Force3 or a similar entity.

[Sprink]

For something in between you could try the Unequal Dome.  Fits inside your hat so doesn't look out of place.  You'll need to up a few sizes (3/8 +/- for fitted) and it doesn't make the hat look too odd (no like other versions made for pitchers that were mainly on the front).  I did order one but wasn't totally sold if it would be comfortable enough.  TBH, I didn't trim it to fit properly inside the hat just in case I wanted to send it back (which I did).  Even though I didn't really give it a chance, the principles of the product seem valid.

http://www.unequal.com/shop/dome