Skull cappers...report in with your findings, please...

[SeeingEyeDog]

I'm starting to see more and more guys in my association using the skull cap setup. And I know there are many of you here on the forum also using this setup. I'm just looking for some more mid to long term feedback now that these have been on the market awhile and people have been using them. What do you like? What don't you like? You know...the usual...

I am a 7.75" hat size if that makes any difference...

~Dawg

[BLWizzRanger]

7.75"??? you might want to go to Lowes and get a real bucket to wear....

Sorry, just joking.  I am a 7.5" and have used a skull cap for 2 years now. It fits me good and I like two things about them. 

One, I am not buying a second hat to use as a plate cap.  Having to buy a three or four plate hats has saved me money overall.  Since I sweat like a river flowing out of a salt mine, my salt stains are very visible over time unless I am constantly cleaning them. That leads me to...

Two, I notice I am not dripping sweat down my forehead like I would be with a hat.  Mind you, I can tilt my head forward without a mask on and there will be a stream of sweat that flows down the bill of the scully.  But, I don't have that with my head in a regular position - with or without a mask on.  I am not constantly wiping my face due to that.  Maybe it has something to do with the mask pads collecting the sweat? Sure, but I don't have that with the mask off either.

Bonus, I don't usually work games with closed backstops where the possibility of a ball ricocheting back hitting my head is a concern.  But, I do have that protection when I do.

YMMV...

[boyinr]

I’ve considered this too. More with the F3 and AS MAG masks.  We have a few here and they are positive about it.  I can only recall a couple time that I got hit where the helmet would have mattered. 

[wolfe_man]

Buy one and use it.   I have an extra one I'm considering painting navy for the HS games.

I wear 7 3/8 - 7 1/2 hats and sweat a lot too.  With normal skull caps, I actually drip sweat from the hat when I remove it between innings - but the AS Skully seems to absorb it better. I still sweat a lot, but it catches more than a regular skull cap.

As for protection, I am convinced that the skully has saved me from several concussions thus far.  I've bent two or three masks while wearing this that would have probably hurt a lot more had I been wearing a regular baseball hat versus the skully.

The only con I see from it is the appearance.  I still don't like the looks of it, but I'll trade protection for appearance when talking about my brain and the affects concussions can involve.

[kylehutson]

1 hour ago, wolfe_man said:

The only con I see from it is the appearance.  I still don't like the looks of it, but I'll trade protection for appearance when talking about my brain and the affects concussions can involve.

My sentiments exactly. I wear an F3 mask with the Skully - best protection money can buy from what I can tell. I took a foul ball of the top of my mask a few days ago that I'm sure would have completely rocked me without the Skully. I just grabbed a new ball from my bag and handed it to the catcher. Play on!

I do think it is a little hotter than a regular cap, but as others have mentioned, that doesn't mean as much sweat dripping down your face, since it has the built-in sweatband. Oh, and the other downside is that if you are out in blistering heat, it can take a couple of days for that sweatband to dry out. If you're working plates on back-to-back days, sometimes it will still feel a little damp on the second day.

I'm not going back. YMMV.

[Velho]

14 hours ago, BLWizzRanger said:

One, I am not buying a second hat to use as a plate cap.  Having to buy a three or four plate hats has saved me money overall. 

I'm 1 year away from a HSM so still finding what works for me. I've found a full size hat works with my AS Mag but not the F3. I went away from an HSM because of the heat and having to stash a hat at plate anways since I'm bald (and Scandinavian/Finnish heritage).

One of my UICs wears an insert in a normal hat. Anyone worn these?

https://unequal.com/unequal-dome-3-protective-pad-baseball-cap-insert/

[ArchAngel72]

I wore the AS skully with the as mag all last year.  Every game plus maybe part of the season before it.  The week I got it, I took one hit off the dome while wearing it and it saved me a damn good lump and possible concussion.

Yep this year wore it only at places with a close overhanging backstop had a few close calls one screamer that came back went past my ear and hit in between the batter and the plate ( in the lane) No I did not call it a strike it was already foul.

The batter jumped and I cringed during my foul call and it just missed my arm as they were going out for the call. 

 

But yeah I swap back and forth I find it seems a little hotter but with a little breeze it seems a little cooler.

 

[MadMax]

15 hours ago, BLWizzRanger said:

7.75"??? you might want to go to Lowes and get a real bucket to wear....

 
Good thing my iPhone is splash-resistant. 

Your mention of a bucket 🪣 does bring up an integral factor of skullcaps vs. HSMs, AKA “buckets”. I will never criticize a HSM -wearer for choosing to use a HSM based on their own personal decision. However, I will criticize* the reasons presented – those that are valid are acknowledged; those that are invalid are countered and/or corrected. With that said, I will mercilessly scrutinize anyone who pushes, or directs, or (worse) compels other umpires to use (buy) a HSM instead of or over other options, especially with invalid or false reasons. 

“HSMs are NOCSAE -certified!” – Pfffft. Meaningless. 

“HSMs are better / preventative against concussions!” – Pfffft. False and impossible to prove. 

“HSMs give you a better view” – 🐂 💩, unmeasurable. 

Now, if you opt for a HSM (primarily or exclusively) because it provides head protection (bat follow-thrus, close/low backstops, etc), then I’ll concede that’s a valid reason. However, that’s exactly what the skullcap addresses and provides! If you were to say, “It’s not enough coverage on the sides!”, then I’ll again concede that to HSMs. That’s an issue that needs to be improved by skullcap design, and perhaps solved by a unique-to-umpires head protection solution… instead of using a HSM intended for catchers!!! 

Any time the argument between HSMs and conventional masks (for umpires, specifically) is tabled, I always put forth the “wisdom” of Wilson. Why did they end the Shock FX, which was an ideally designed and capable HSM for umpires?? Because no catcher was buying it, and Wilson was losing money on it. They don’t care about us. 

2 hours ago, kylehutson said:

My sentiments exactly. I wear an F3 mask with the Skully - best protection money can buy from what I can tell.

I’m going to present that the Force3 Defender actually performs better with a skullcap instead of a ballcap. The weight – that inescapable component of the mechanically-optimized Defender – is distributed across the entirety of the skullcap’s shell. Thus, the harness can be rock-&-lock tight to the skullcap, and the Defender’s springs and shocks are allowed to function exactly as they’re designed and engineered to. 

So many guys get this wrong. They believe or have been told that a loose mask is desired… and that info is correct – for every other conventional mask. The Defender needs a firm foundation, though, so the springs are activated and loaded by the energy. The Big League guys (ie. on TV) don’t wear Defenders, though, because they’re too weighty. And, if they take a headshot, regardless the severity, they’re exiting the Plate role in today’s game. 

The AS Skuly is not without its faults. Among MLBUs, you’ll notice that most opt for the Rawlings skullcap over the AS. Why? Maybe because Rawlings is 49% owned by MLB, and is the official supplier of all helmets (rightly so, they’ve done the most R&D work on this) in professional baseball. AS is under no obligation to do anything for (us) umpires, because they’ve got catchers to supply and design gear to. So, once again (for the > hundredth time), I’m blaming and seething contempt on Wilson. 

On that AS Skuly, another flaw (and one that other skullcaps (Rawlings, Easton, etc) fail to address at all, so shame on them)… why is the concussion-protecting-hi-tech foam… at the back??? Why isn’t it up front?? 

Because catchers wear the brim backwards. Umpires wear brim forwards; again, no one cares about us. 

I’ll let a few more responses and posts arrive on the thread, then I’m going to unload a lot of disdain and wrath on college umpires regarding skullcaps. 

[ArchAngel72]

2 hours ago, MadMax said:

 

On that AS Skuly, another flaw (and one that other skullcaps (Rawlings, Easton, etc) fail to address at all, so shame on them)… why is the concussion-protecting-hi-tech foam… at the back??? Why isn’t it up front?? 

Because catchers wear the brim backwards. Umpires wear brim forwards; again, no one cares about us. 

 

X2 Max   times 2!  

I questioned this and was told "hush..."

[concertman1971]

I think the only time I think I may want to wear a skully with my MAG was during some Pioneer League games this summer. Partner was wearing one and took the fat part of a broken bat to the dome. (Follow through break). I thought I was going to have to go gear up. He stayed in no issues. 

All I could do was wonder what if that had been me.........

[The Ripper]

On 8/6/2024 at 7:36 PM, SeeingEyeDog said:

I'm starting to see more and more guys in my association using the skull cap setup. And I know there are many of you here on the forum also using this setup. I'm just looking for some more mid to long term feedback now that these have been on the market awhile and people have been using them. What do you like? What don't you like? You know...the usual...

I am a 7.75" hat size if that makes any difference...

~Dawg

I just got this Rawlings Coolflo Plate helmet in... and love it. In my opinion, it looks the best of the other plate helmets. I saw MLB umpires wear it, but there are none wearing the skully. The bill of the helmet is short enough, were I have no problem in removing the mask. I would highly recommend this one.

[Rock Bottom]

Most of what I'd say has already been addressed above, but while I do agree the All-Star skull cap might not be the best looking (and I wish it didn't have the sandpaper finish, and also wish it had the foam under the brim - or throughout the entire helmet), it's got the best padding I've found in a skull-cap bar none.  Unless others have been updated, they are all the old school think strip around -- the AS has modern padding - that's REMOVABLE - you can swap out drenched padding for a fresh set.  Plus you can mix and match sizes to get a better fit because there are two different sized parts (the third part is the top padding and I didn't see a discernible difference in size). I have a large set of pads and a medium set, and I mix them up for a perfect M/L fit.  If someone knows of another brand with good padding let me know - but again, the AS padding is top notch!!!

[dumbdumb]

On 8/7/2024 at 1:47 PM, MadMax said:

er flaw (and one that other skullcaps (Rawlings, Easton, etc) fail to address at all, so shame on them)… why is the concussion-protecting-hi-tech foam… at the back??? Why isn’t it up front?? 

Because catchers wear the brim backwards. Umpires wear brim forwards; again, no one cares about us. 

I’ll let a few more responses and posts arrive on the thread, then I’m going to unload a lot of disdain and wrath on college umpires regarding skullcaps. 

then just wear the dog gone thing with the brim backwards. who gives a shi  what it looks like. i thought you had a comment somewhere in the last 6 months (maybe not and i am just dreaming) , with the injuries that can occur in umpiring you are going with the protection and not the "look" anymore. and what is more important than the cranium. right up there (even higher if you ask me) with those inside thigh protectors for causing hematomas or whatever that word is.

just get that catchers skull cap that the cather's above wear and wear it backwards like the catchers do if the catchers take that high tech foam at the back and just turn it to the front. are they really that smart, or do they care about their protection and turn it around, be damned with wearing the brim in front. when in rome do as the romans do.

[MadMax]

2 hours ago, dumbdumb said:

just get that catchers skull cap that the cather's above wear and wear it backwards like the catchers do

DD, you missed the gist of my (repeated) rant. 

Why, if Wilson is “our official & exclusive supplier” for MLBU, haven’t they produced a skullcap to our needs & specifications? 

I get why most of the MLBUs who do wear skullcaps wear the Rawlings. Rawlings is predominately owned by MLB, and are authorized and equipped to produce all the helmets the Major and Minor Leagues use, full stop. 

All-Star is predominately a catcher’s company, but they do so happen to make some mighty fine umpire gear. They produced the Skuly – for umpires – but they came up short. While it has better padding, better sizing, sandpaper finish, and the shorter brim that appeal to umpires, they got lazy, and put the con-cushion at the wrong end. 

DD, if you’re just telling us to “wear it backwards”, then what’s the point of making the brim smaller? 

That’s not the point of my ranting, though. My point is, and will always be, that until shown & proven otherwise, Wilson doesn’t give a s#!t about us. 

[dumbdumb]

8 hours ago, MadMax said:

DD, you missed the gist of my (repeated) rant. 

Why, if Wilson is “our official & exclusive supplier” for MLBU, haven’t they produced a skullcap to our needs & specifications? 

I get why most of the MLBUs who do wear skullcaps wear the Rawlings. Rawlings is predominately owned by MLB, and are authorized and equipped to produce all the helmets the Major and Minor Leagues use, full stop. 

All-Star is predominately a catcher’s company, but they do so happen to make some mighty fine umpire gear. They produced the Skuly – for umpires – but they came up short. While it has better padding, better sizing, sandpaper finish, and the shorter brim that appeal to umpires, they got lazy, and put the con-cushion at the wrong end. 

DD, if you’re just telling us to “wear it backwards”, then what’s the point of making the brim smaller? 

That’s not the point of my ranting, though. My point is, and will always be, that until shown & proven otherwise, Wilson doesn’t give a s#!t about us. 

why do you think i bring up the carlucci stuff. someone trying to move the needle.

dont forget, officials have always been second class citizens in sports and always will. a necessary evil if you will.

you made it too high up as a catcher to see what first class was, no matter if it was d1, 2, or 3 and maybe farther than that. the better of the equipment, audulation etc and stuff than the umpires, and at the collegiate level college baseball is "only" non rev, compared to hoops and football. and what sport was here long before the nfl and nba. you got it, good ole mlb and a lot of boxing back then.

and even for the players, when a guy like marvin miller tries to move the needle north, he was vilified, as was richie phillips. and what took the minors so long for both players and umpires. so why would not the equipment companies always do the same from day one.

so who are the "big deal" as i think that line was used in one of those star wars movies by harrison ford, in an 11  billion dollar industry.

not to say that things have not gotten better at all, but it is not the umpires and never will be. still  low on that food chain. and miller and phillips are still villified to this day,  yet Wilson is seen as something bigger than life itself. guess the old saying, deal with it, goes on and on, until those at the top want you to make it to the first class citizen/top dog so to speak level.

ps

and dont worry, if i ever become a warren buffett gazilionaire, i will give you a buzz to make a piece of equipment that is perfect and we will give it to umpires for free or maybe 5 dollars so they wont feel like a chairity case, since the $5 cost to a gazillionaire would just be like a chump change valet fee.