Random Question About Mask Harness

[LittleBlue]

So, I'm watching the Red Sox play the Blue Jays while I should be paying attention in legal history class, but it's a 3 hour class and it's boring. Anyway, I noticed that Laz Diaz attaches his harness to the ear guards of his mask instead of closer to the face like most umpires/catchers do. It got me wondering if there's a reason for this like helping the mask spin off when hit. I wear my masks loose for that reason, but I've never tried attaching the harness out wide. Anyone try this set up? If so what are your results?

[Maineac]

This is the way I've done it, it seems to me to make the mask spin off more easily. I have nothing scientific to prove this, just seems like it to me.

[Stk004]

I've tried it out there. I don't like it too much. The angle is too wide so it's either too loose, too tight, or the harness goes down too far on the back of my head. In my opinion, of course. Then again if the harness is a weird length, whatever it takes to get the mask to fit is the way to go. 

It doesn't really matter that much, just do whatever helps you sleep at night. Or in legal history class. 

[Umpire in Chief]

I too have tried this the theory as it was explained to me is moving the harness out leads to less of the harness contacting the umpire and easier for the mask to be knocked off in the event of a hit.

[Majordave]

I wear my side straps on the top bar of the ear pieces horizontally as wide as they go.  I wear low profile Wilson titanium and cro-moly masks with traditional style Wilson doeskin and black leather pads. I have worn these as my primary set ups since 2006. I also wear an 8 stitch bill hat. Yes, an 8 stitch behind the plate!  I get hit in the mask quite often. 15-20 times per season. Mask spins left or right. Never any ill effects except for the three times I got hit wearing Team Wendy pads. Headaches with those hits for sure.  Otherwise, nothing.  I believe the spinning mask dissipates the shock of the hit.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it  

Alibi:  my buddy and regular umpire partner Mike wears his harness rather snug and has lost two masks in less than a year. One a +POS Zero G in silver and the other was the Wilson cast aluminum with gray pads that Ump-Attire sells. Jim Kirk did replace the Wilson mask under warranty.

again, my two cents....