Thinking about switching to a hockey style helmet

[mac266]

I have read the reviews on the Wilson hockey-style helmet, both the steel and aluminum versions.  The online reviews that are critical seem to come exclusively from people with big heads.  I wear a 6 7/8" hat, so I have a pinhead.  Do you think that helmet would work for me?  The titanium version is the lightest one I can find.

Secondly, I have a friend who does airbrush art.  I know a batting helmet cannot have a "mirror-like finish," but if I keep custom artwork to a minimum and non-distracting, would it be ok?  I'm thinking maybe a blue ribbon on one side with a friend's name and date of death; he was a cop who was murdered in the line of duty.  Then on the right side, a green ribbon with a colleague's name and date of death; she died in Iraq in 2003.  So not the crazy colorful artwork he normally puts on his hockey goalie helmets (you should see his hockey helmets -- he is an amazing artist, although I've never seen him play hockey!).  

[maven]

I recommend the helmet for safety reasons. I've seen too many umpires get hit by a long follow-through. I, for one, make my living with what's inside there, so I can't afford to have it damaged in my avocation.

As for decoration: yours sound modest. But you're doing HS now, and there might be uniform restrictions imposed by your state association. When I was a local interpreter, I would not have allowed this, and I doubt that our state interpreter would either. I recommend checking with your local interpreter before proceeding.

If you have a primary assigner, I'd check with that person too.

[BT_Blue]

I would recommend small ribbons (think stickers) on the back of the helmet. If any at all.

I get wanting to honor your friends (and thanks to them and their ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty). But this could be considered a "look at me" kind of deal. Something we try and avoid for unnecessary reasons most of the time.

But definitely do what @mavenwas suggesting. Talk to the Powers-That-Be for more guidance. 

[kylejt]

The only helmet I'd consider would be the F3/Douglas, as the cage actually protects the forehead. Others don't bother.

[BT_Blue]

10 minutes ago, kylejt said:

The only helmet I'd consider would be the F3/Douglas, as the cage actually protects the forehead. Others don't bother.

Point of Order on the Douglas part of this. Force3 licensed to Douglas to put the Douglas name on the 1st Generation helmet as a way of getting the product out there. They did the same with the 1st Generation Defender traditional mask.

[maven]

9 hours ago, BT_Blue said:

Point of Order on the Douglas part of this. Force3 licensed to Douglas to put the Douglas name on the 1st Generation helmet as a way of getting the product out there. They did the same with the 1st Generation Defender traditional mask.

That's not a point of order.

[SeeingEyeDog]

point of order - a query in a formal debate or meeting as to whether correct procedure is being followed.

[Aging_Arbiter]

LOL.................he said, the floor does not recognize the gentleman from the Pacific NorthWest.

[Rock Bottom]

19 hours ago, kylejt said:

The only helmet I'd consider would be the F3/Douglas, as the cage actually protects the forehead. Others don't bother.

 

Not all others. https://www.schuttsports.com/air-maxx-2966-hockey-helmet-w-matching-os-guard.html

[kylejt]

Cool. Thank's for the other helmet link. And I do like the cutout at the ears, as some of those tin cans are really hard to hear anything out of. 

[maven]

31 minutes ago, kylejt said:

Cool. Thank's for the other helmet link. And I do like the cutout at the ears, as some of those tin cans are really hard to hear anything out of. 

OK, rabbit ears. 

[Rock Bottom]

4 hours ago, kylejt said:

Cool. Thank's for the other helmet link. And I do like the cutout at the ears, as some of those tin cans are really hard to hear anything out of. 

I really liked the Schutt but it was just too small for me, but the OP had a smaller hat size so it's an option.

[BT_Blue]

On 4/19/2021 at 7:40 AM, maven said:

That's not a point of order.

 

On 4/19/2021 at 12:57 PM, SeeingEyeDog said:

point of order - a query in a formal debate or meeting as to whether correct procedure is being followed.

 

On 4/19/2021 at 5:41 PM, Aging_Arbiter said:

LOL.................he said, the floor does not recognize the gentleman from the Pacific NorthWest.

Can I make a Point of Order on the non Point of Order?

[Replacematt]

38 minutes ago, BT_Blue said:

Can I make a Point of Order on the non Point of Order?

Don't screw around, they're serious this time!

[BT_Blue]

42 minutes ago, Matt said:

Don't screw around, they're serious this time!

I'm going to fight this. All the way to City Hall if I have too! As a great man once said:

[MadMax]

On 4/18/2021 at 7:25 AM, mac266 said:

I have read the reviews on the Wilson hockey-style helmet, both the steel and aluminum versions.  The online reviews that are critical seem to come exclusively from people with big heads.

To understand the reviews for the Wilson Pro Stock HSM, we must first understand the Pro Stock’s origins. 

I’ll surprise you... I won’t embark on one of my trademark epic novels on the histories of protective headgear. Sure, there is one, but I’ll save us all the tedium and agony. In summary, the Pro Stock’s development is due to 3 factors: 

1. The crumbling sales and warranty issues of the Shock FX amongst catchers. 
2. The significant gap in sales of HSMs between All-Star, Easton and Mizuno (in that order), and then everybody else (including Wilson), amongst catchers. 
3. The ignorance of Wilson towards who their “exclusive market” target is, and what design factors and features a product serving them needs. 

The Pro Stock wasn’t made for you/us as an umpire. It was made for catchers, near-specifically. Increased padding and “bulwark-ing” in the forehead (ala the Mizuno Samurai), dramatically increased vectoring and channeling for ball deflection (ala All-Star MVP), and almost nonexistent space between shell and the wearer’s neck and cheek (ala Easton Elite). 

The cage arrangement on the Pro Stock is at its absolute minimum, both because less cage allows for increased visibility, but also means less cage to get bent... which would trigger a Return or Warranty Claim... which burdens and affects Wilson’s profit margins. 

The Pro Stock’s sizing is attenuated to youth catchers specifically; not one MLB catcher uses it, nor am I aware of a Div 1 (read: televised) NCAA program using it. 

Is it an excellent catcher’s HSM? Yes, undisputedly. Is it an umpire’s HSM? It just isn’t, and fails at standards and traits that umpires’ shell / helmets should have. The thing is, all HSMs fail at these umpire-specific traits. What’s maddening is that the Shock FX – terminated by Wilson because it was failing for catchers – did much better than the Pro Stock for umpires!! 

Have you considered a hard-hat (ie. the Skuly) in conjunction with a traditional mask? One of the chief “selling points” between umpires and participants is that we are expected to take our masks off, HSM or TM. Granted, you’ve got a small head, but please don’t get too small or narrow a mask, else you’ll be annoying yourself with how frequently you’ll be taking it on and off. 

[BLWizzRanger]

5 hours ago, BT_Blue said:

I'm going to fight this. All the way to City Hall if I have too! As a great man once said:

Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.

Everytime I use this quote, I get the standard, 'Japan bombed Pearl Harbor'.  I didn't want to jinx it by not seeing it.   Uncultured people, I tell ya...

[maven]

1 hour ago, BLWizzRanger said:

Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.

Well, if we're being picky, it was aircraft from the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service. 

Hijack complete!

[BT_Blue]

2 hours ago, BLWizzRanger said:

Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.

Everytime I use this quote, I get the standard, 'Japan bombed Pearl Harbor'.  I didn't want to jinx it by not seeing it.   Uncultured people, I tell ya...

The ONLY correct answer to the line in this meme is

"Germans?"

"Forget about it. He's on a roll."

55 minutes ago, maven said:

Well, if we're being picky, it was aircraft from the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service. 

Hijack complete!

I've gotten big into naval history. In particular, World War 2. It is fascinating how the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces worked (or didn't work) during and before the war. For instance, the deep seeded rivalry (ok... hatred) between the IJN and IJA is incredible to see broken down!

A side note also... I feel horrible that I totally hijacked this thread. Lol

[wolfe_man]

On 4/21/2021 at 10:32 AM, BT_Blue said:

The ONLY correct answer to the line in this meme is

"Germans?"

"Forget about it. He's on a roll."

 

And he went on to become a US Senator!

  Who needs facts when you have passion?

On 4/21/2021 at 10:32 AM, BT_Blue said:

A side note also... I feel horrible that I totally hijacked this thread. Lol

Before we all get reprimanded, I have thought hard about switching to an F3 V2 or V3 helmet myself.  I used to wear an All Star MVP2400 when I first started doing this umpire thing, but then switched to a traditional mask and really liked it better than the "bucket".  

With all that said, I am looking for a way to upgrade my head protection from short backstops, bad catchers and follow-throughs so I may do it yet.  I don't like the Skully (I know, I know) as it fits me oddly and I hate the finish on it as it marks/scratches too easily.   I have other skull caps I am testing, so we'll see how that goes. 

For me, the main HSM I would consider is an F3 with the forehead protection.  As a close runner-up, an All Star MVP model is also very good as I know they've upgraded the forehead padding and shell (just no exterior frame yet).

A big plus for bucket wearers, that's less plates caps that you have to purchase (that's $45-60 per year in savings).  Also, you don't have to buy a coach's/skull cap or an Unequal Uncap (another $60 in savings).  Now, sell off your existing masks and you probably have enough funds to buy a new F3 V2 or V3 helmet!

[BT_Blue]

@wolfe_mani wonder if you have the means to do so. Could you have an extra piece welded to the top of the cage on the All Star? 

[wolfe_man]

3 minutes ago, BT_Blue said:

@wolfe_mani wonder if you have the means to do so. Could you have an extra piece welded to the top of the cage on the All Star? 

I'm sure you could, but unless done professionally I'd doubt its integrity and appearance would be up-to-par.

[LMSANS]

I'd stop it, but I am enjoying the historical discussion. 

[MadMax]

1 hour ago, wolfe_man said:

but unless done professionally I'd doubt its integrity and appearance would be up-to-par.

And here's where I get sooooooo obnoxiously repetitive. Why aren't the companies, collectively, doing this? More specifically, why isn't one particular company – WHO IS SUPPOSED TO BE "OUR" EXCLUSIVE SUPPLIER – doing this??!! 

Oh sure, they make a one-off for Gary Cederstrom, but then they turn around and terminate an entire line of HSMs in favor of reducing the features, sizing, and protective capabilities of a HSM... for umpires???? And don't try to feed me this crap that "we consult the true professionals of the (umpire) market", because if ya did, and really consulted their perspective on needs and wants, the resulting product would look nothing like what you're currently peddling. A-Number-One indication of this disconnect? The weight and robustness of the shell, all built and constructed to survive repetitive impacts with the ground. 

In what universe does an umpire's mask or helmet ever hit the ground??!! 

[mac266]

On 4/18/2021 at 9:15 AM, maven said:

I recommend the helmet for safety reasons. I've seen too many umpires get hit by a long follow-through. I, for one, make my living with what's inside there, so I can't afford to have it damaged in my avocation.

As for decoration: yours sound modest. But you're doing HS now, and there might be uniform restrictions imposed by your state association. When I was a local interpreter, I would not have allowed this, and I doubt that our state interpreter would either. I recommend checking with your local interpreter before proceeding.

If you have a primary assigner, I'd check with that person too.

 

Yep, I have checked with our area president as well as assigners from several leagues where I work.  No one said, "no," but they were all a little hesitant.  I think if anything, I would put tiny ribbons on the back that no one would see unless they were standing right behind me.  

So far, I've buried 19 friends combined between my two careers, military and law enforcement.  But the two I mentioned, I think about everyday.  They were definitely the hardest.  I named my second son after the cop.  I didn't have any daughters, or I would have named one after the soldier.  Someday if we meet in person I'll tell you their stories over a beer.

As to the highjacking of the thread...well, I'm a historian.  My bachelor's degree is in history and I'm working on an MA in history as we speak.  So you probably won't get chastised by me