Mizuno Mask

[JohnMcSherry]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mizuno-Umpire-Mask-/112190007665?hash=item1a1f0ba971:g:6o8AAOSwo4pYGJVi

$$$$ ... why so pricey, because it's from Japan?  Does it feel different wearing a mask with the built in throat guard absent or removed and just the guard dangling?

[tpatience]

8 minutes ago, JohnMcSherry said:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mizuno-Umpire-Mask-/112190007665?hash=item1a1f0ba971:g:6o8AAOSwo4pYGJVi

$$$$ ... why so pricey, because it's from Japan?  Does it feel different wearing a mask with the built in throat guard absent or removed and just the guard dangling?

Does not feel different at all. It is more expensive because it comes from Japan. But those pads aren't very good.

[maineump]

20 hours ago, JohnMcSherry said:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mizuno-Umpire-Mask-/112190007665?hash=item1a1f0ba971:g:6o8AAOSwo4pYGJVi

$$$$ ... why so pricey, because it's from Japan?  Does it feel different wearing a mask with the built in throat guard absent or removed and just the guard dangling?

It looks like the model I got from Japan. I had a Japanese umpire send it to me as a gift. I think it feels different, because of the thickness of the bars, and the mask isn't as wide as most models.

I didn't like the feel of the pads (never wore them in a game) and swapped them out for TW's. I have worn it a few times, but it is a ball-magnet! I always seem to take a good shot in it, (only took 1 shot all year this season wearing my Rawlings). I DO NOT like not having the built-in throat guard, it really hurts to get hit under the jaw. Maybe bad mojo for me. I keep it because it was a gift, and it is different than anything in the states.

[tpatience]

8 minutes ago, maineump said:

It looks like the model I got from Japan. I had a Japanese umpire send it to me as a gift. I think it feels different, because of the thickness of the bars, and the mask isn't as wide as most models.

I didn't like the feel of the pads (never wore them in a game) and swapped them out for TW's. I have worn it a few times, but it is a ball-magnet! I always seem to take a good shot in it, (only took 1 shot all year this season wearing my Rawlings). I DO NOT like not having the built-in throat guard, it really hurts to get hit under the jaw. Maybe bad mojo for me. I keep it because it was a gift, and it is different than anything in the states.

Do you not have a throat guard on the mask? It is made to have a dangling throat guard.

[BT_Blue]

Looks a lot like my Diamond that I had modified and powder coated by Maskit. Only difference is the ear flaps on my Diamond extend out further.

[maineump]

1 hour ago, tpatience said:

Do you not have a throat guard on the mask? It is made to have a dangling throat guard.

I do have a dangling throat guard, but IMO they don't work nearly as well for protection.

They have way too much give, when hit, and they will twist if not hit straight on, causing the guard to not protect like one that is part of the mask. There is no good method to attach them, so the guard will not twist if it is hit on the sides (from the front, but not directly in the center of it).

When I started catching, we did not have throat guards, then my sophomore year in HS, we were required to wear a dangling guard. That was better than nothing at all. When they came out with the molded to the mask guards (much later), that was the best answer. The only thing with those, is you need to find a design that works for you, and they are all slightly different in design.

[tpatience]

16 minutes ago, maineump said:

I do have a dangling throat guard, but IMO they don't work nearly as well for protection.

They have way too much give, when hit, and they will twist if not hit straight on, causing the guard to not protect like one that is part of the mask. There is no good method to attach them, so the guard will not twist if it is hit on the sides (from the front, but not directly in the center of it).

When I started catching, we did not have throat guards, then my sophomore year in HS, we were required to wear a dangling guard. That was better than nothing at all. When they came out with the molded to the mask guards (much later), that was the best answer. The only thing with those, is you need to find a design that works for you, and they are all slightly different in design.

I've had a different experience. I chopped off the chin guard on my WI titanium and I got hit on the throat guard. It did exactly what it was supposed to do.

[maineump]

2 minutes ago, tpatience said:

I've had a different experience. I chopped off the chin guard on my WI titanium and I got hit on the throat guard. It did exactly what it was supposed to do.

Glad it worked for you - when they throw harder it may not.

[tpatience]

38 minutes ago, maineump said:

Glad it worked for you - when they throw harder it may not.

I do high school and the occasional red shirt college game. If it may not work when they throw harder, why do a few MLB guys do it to their masks?

[maineump]

57 minutes ago, tpatience said:

I do high school and the occasional red shirt college game. If it may not work when they throw harder, why do a few MLB guys do it to their masks?

Not sure why they do, but like I said - glad it works good for you. I am a believer of - do what works for you,

I don't do anything, because MLB does it. It is a totally different game at that level and they don't have another job they have to go to tomorrow. If they get hurt, they go out on injury leave and still get paid, We can't do that.

On the other hand - why did they design the new style masks with it on there?

[tpatience]

31 minutes ago, maineump said:

Not sure why they do, but like I said - glad it works good for you. I am a believer of - do what works for you,

I don't do anything, because MLB does it. It is a totally different game at that level and they don't have another job they have to go to tomorrow. If they get hurt, they go out on injury leave and still get paid, We can't do that.

On the other hand - why did they design the new style masks with it on there?

I don't know why they are making the new ones with the chin guard. Nor do I know why the Japanese are making theirs without one. 

[maineump]

18 minutes ago, tpatience said:

I don't know why they are making the new ones with the chin guard. Nor do I know why the Japanese are making theirs without one. 

They also make them without protection - this one is listed as baseball/softball

 

[tpatience]

10 minutes ago, maineump said:

They also make them without protection - this one is listed as baseball/softball

 

Wow. Never seen that before. LOL

[maineump]

36 minutes ago, tpatience said:

Wow. Never seen that before. LOL

Maybe that is why my friend over there wears all Wilson plate gear now  .

[MadMax]

1 hour ago, maineump said:

They also make them without protection - this one is listed as baseball/softball

 

_That_ mask actually is somewhat experimental, and despite being unconventional, is quite protective. The rather expansive void houses a polycarbonate lens as a shield. It follows the same principle as the all-clear polycarbonate face shields brought to hockey by ITECH and now produced by Bauer (and other companies). A hockey puck carries just as much force in it as a baseball. The only reason clear polycarbonate as a cage isn't in widespread use in hockey is because, for some players, they prefer the "wind" upon their face and there is little chance of a shield fogging up.

It's a novel attempt to provide a solution.

 

[maineump]

52 minutes ago, MadMax said:

_That_ mask actually is somewhat experimental, and despite being unconventional, is quite protective. The rather expansive void houses a polycarbonate lens as a shield. It follows the same principle as the all-clear polycarbonate face shields brought to hockey by ITECH and now produced by Bauer (and other companies). A hockey puck carries just as much force in it as a baseball. The only reason clear polycarbonate as a cage isn't in widespread use in hockey is because, for some players, they prefer the "wind" upon their face and there is little chance of a shield fogging up.

It's a novel attempt to provide a solution.

 

I realize that, but just happen to come across it on the web site, thought it might stir up some conversation (I get bored in the off-season).

I played hockey for many years. and I hated the visor on my helmet, but had to have one as a referee (preferred a cage), because of the fogging, and they scratch very easily. I don't ever remember getting hit directly on the visor, it is usually a glancing shot (because we try to get out of the way in hockey). I have received stitches in the face due to broken visors in hockey (from body hits and sticks), imagine the cuts we could get from these when it is hit directly by a baseball. 

We see guys asking about anti-fog products for their glasses, this thing would be worse.

It is a cool idea, but I think the maintenance would be way too much. I think that wind blown dust/dirt or rain would be even worse. I have no doubt it would protect, but I don't think it would be practical.

They are using visors in football now too, so maybe they are on to something here. I hope they get it right.

[LittleBlue]

18 hours ago, maineump said:

I realize that, but just happen to come across it on the web site, thought it might stir up some conversation (I get bored in the off-season).

I played hockey for many years. and I hated the visor on my helmet, but had to have one as a referee (preferred a cage), because of the fogging, and they scratch very easily. I don't ever remember getting hit directly on the visor, it is usually a glancing shot (because we try to get out of the way in hockey). I have received stitches in the face due to broken visors in hockey (from body hits and sticks), imagine the cuts we could get from these when it is hit directly by a baseball. 

We see guys asking about anti-fog products for their glasses, this thing would be worse.

It is a cool idea, but I think the maintenance would be way too much. I think that wind blown dust/dirt or rain would be even worse. I have no doubt it would protect, but I don't think it would be practical.

They are using visors in football now too, so maybe they are on to something here. I hope they get it right.

I go to local college hockey games all tithe time and all of the players are required to wear cages or the clear shield. Since I've started going to the games seven or eight years ago, more players have ditched the cage for the shield, at least here in NJ. They seem to have ventilation on the bottom and sides to prevent fogging. Then again a shift is usually less than a minute so the chance to wipe off the fog usually comes sooner than later.

[tpatience]

Would anyone pay the full $225 for this mask? 

[MadMax]

15 hours ago, tpatience said:

Would anyone pay the full $225 for this mask? 

No, same as that I won't pay $300+ for a Nike Titanium. Most of the cost is ethereal. In the case of the Mizuno, I'm not arguing that it isn't top-notch quality, but most of the inflated cost is attributed to the tariffs, fees, taxes, costs, etc. in getting the physical object over here. Besides that, they come over in very limited quantities, which compounds that equation.

Now, if you were to tell me – demonstrate and guarantee to me – that that mask was made in the USA (or, I'll accept Canada), and cost $180 - $200, I'd honestly be much more inclined to purchase it. We've gotta stop relying on the "Made In China" & Shipped-En-Masse pipeline and get back to making stuff here, on this continent. If Japan wants to build their own masks, sell them at a cost that makes them attractive to their own domestic market, and charge 2 to 3 times that to get them over here in North America, then more power to them. 

[maineump]

17 hours ago, tpatience said:

Would anyone pay the full $225 for this mask? 

No I wouldn't

[gnhbua93]

18 hours ago, tpatience said:

Would anyone pay the full $225 for this mask? 

Yes. What carries the price up is the throat guard that is difficult to obtain in black.

[tpatience]

2 minutes ago, gnhbua93 said:

Yes. What carries the price up is the throat guard that is difficult to obtain in black.

The throat guard originally sold for $9