At Face Value (Magnesium Masks & Other Things)

[MadMax]

As I've shared before, in the realm of umpire gear, the traditional mask has reached an evolutionary fork-in-the-road, or intersection. There are three options: 

1. Geometric protection; the 3-dimensional shape of the mask is the primary factor as to its successful deflection, redirection, or mitigation of the impacting energy. This is an offshoot of Option 2, the Structural nature of the protection, because these geometries can only be achieved by advanced welding or 3D-rendered and molded shapes. 
2. Structural (incl. Metallurgical) protection; the physical properties of the materials used – the metals** of the frame combined with the pads – are integral to the successful absorption and mitigation of the impacting energy. This option has plateaued several times in the last century, each time experiencing a gradual albeit agonizingly slow  improvement with advances made in the metals of the frame, the welding properties of those metals (and alloys), and the improvements of the pads and materials that comprise them. 
3. Mechanical protection; assembled mechanical (ie. moving) systems are integrated into the mask to actively reduce, retard, rebound and absorb the impacting energy. This, too, is an offshoot of Option 2, since the only way to make these systems lightweight enough to warrant inclusion on the mask is their welds have to be incredibly strong relative to the alloys used in constructing them. 

The best embodiment of Option 1 is the All-Star FM4K Mag, whereas the best (and right now, only) embodiment of Option 3 is the Force3 Defender V2-3. Option 2 had pretty much plateaued once again... 

... until now. 

This is the brand-new GerryDavis Mirage12: 

    

It opens the door on becoming the best mask for Option 2; and, once the pads are completed for it, it'll kick the door down and off its hinges. 

First, it is molded magnesium (alloy), just like the Rampage and the FM4KMag. Like the Rampage, there are no welds to pop or increase weight; indeed, the Rampage weighs in at ≈ 15.2 oz. Because All-Star put an emphasis on a radically angular and sloping geometry for the upper half of the FM4K, the mold had to be done in 2 pieces, with steel inserts welded together. As such, the FM4K weighs in at 16.2 oz. By paying careful attention to the geometry and the layout, @DerekGDS managed to bring the Mirage in at 11.71 oz. 

The bars are still flat, but they're not as broad as the FM4KMag or the Rampage. This took a lot of work, and dozens of resin prototypes to accomplish. The sightlines are on-par with a hollow-steel or I-Bar (think: All-Star or UnderArmour) mask, with a titanium only being marginally thinner. The real characteristic is the significantly reduced chance of breaking (no welds to pop) and the virtually eliminated chance of bending. That has always been the Achilles heel of titanium masks, relative to how expensive they are – they will bend before they break, and in order to rectify them, you have to apply the same amount of force that created the bend. Ya just can't "tap it out", like you can with steel. 

Indeed, Wilson embarked upon a smear campaign against titanium between 2013-2016. They were getting so many titanium masks bent and returned for exchange or refund, they were losing money (on them), and convinced (or implored) the PTB and POI in the Umpire community to label titanium masks as "dangerous". The vaunted Nike "Icon" titanium never experienced this revenue drain on Wilson, burdening their customer relations, because Nike never sold the mask in North America; they supplied it. The masks were a "branding & marketing" line-item write-off, supplied to MLB personalities and catchers of endorsed-by-Nike college programs. Titanium masks are, in and of themselves, not dangerous to any wearer or user... other to their wallet, because of the expense on purchasing it, repairing it when it bends, or replacing it when no longer able to repair it. 

During this time (circa 2009), All-Star embarked on a radical new design campaign, using new geometries afforded them by CAD/CAM design, testing, and shaped-hollow-tube construction. This was the System 7, manifested into the MVP2500 and MVP4000 -series HSMs and the FM1000 (design exercise), FM2000 ( @Thunderheads remembers this one, dontcha Jeff?!), and FM4000. While the FM2000 was intended primarily for umpires, the FM4000 was earmarked for catchers. All-Star was achieving masks that were remarkably strong, resilient to bending, and substantially lightweight all due to geometry, metallurgy (shaped hollow tube steel), and layout. However, due to All-Star's primary relationship to catchers, their products – with the exception of the CPU4000 AKA The 4TanK! – were configured and stylized for a catcher's needs more than an umpire's. Their shinguards, for example, are "umpire lite versions" of their catchers' shinguards. Their hardhats / skullcaps (a whole 'nother topic sometime soon) are configured to be worn brim-back (ie. backwards), instead of brim-forward as umpires do. And, their masks had smaller, less obtrusive Extended Chin Guards (XCG, henceforth) so as to allow catchers ahem... to tuck their chins to their chests easier and safer... an action that umpires are disciplined not to do! 

These features – driven for catchers – were paralleled by the Nike "Icon" Titanium (and its hollow-steel sibling). Introduced in 2004-5 for Jorge Posada specifically, the Nike Icon featured wispy-thin titanium single-wire layout, angled ear guards, and an elegant XCG that would completely eclipse the need for a dangling throat guard (TG, henceforth). As the "face" of MLB catchers, especially on the Yankees, Posada had a very marketable tendency to prop his mask atop his head, like a knight lifting the visor on his helmet. This was utterly complicated by having a DTG, so the first variants of the Nike Icon eliminated that need. Of course, at that time, most (nearly all) youth catchers masks were devoid of XCGs at all, since DTGs were the only viable solution. Most professional catcher's masks – the All-Star FM11 and Rawlings PWMX, most notably – had a short, square CG so as to mount a DTG (if chosen) further down so it wouldn't jam into and under a catcher's CP. Beginning around 2011-12, the Nike Icon's XCG was shortened, due to feedback from catchers who reported the prolonged length was impeding their dropping of their chin effectively. Again, this was based on catchers' feedback; and, rightly so, Nike made those modifications. 

Gerry Davis has significant relevance to the shifts that occurred in this industry. In approximately 2007, Gerry shared a radical new planform with a company named Diamond. This planform had single-bar construction – in keeping with the Nike Icons and "new" Wilson DynaLite (which was "improved" from its double-bar ancestor just after the Icon debuted as a single-bar catcher's mask) – a squared, chisel-bottom XCG (to wear without DTGs or to host DTGs easily), good-sized strut-less ear guards, and, evocative of Mizuno and SSK masks of Japan were including, an extended crown guard to protect the button on the top of the umpire's head. Furthermore, Diamond constructed it in aircraft-quality aluminum alloy, which resulted in a very clean, lightweight mask that wouldn't bend (or, at least be much less prone to bending), and wouldn't rust. Diamond debuted the mask in late-2008, alongside a catcher's version (also in aluminum, but with double-bar eye port and a rounded XCG instead of squared), and an entire suite of gear named the iX3 -series. It was downright award-winning. The catcher's version never took off, mostly due to aluminum's propensity to shear before bending, exacerbated by the frequency by which a catcher's mask hits the ground, or is thrown about, or hurled or crushed into a gear bag, or otherwise abused. Umpire's masks do not do this; in fact, an umpire's mask should not touch the ground!

The umpire's version, though, was a smashing success. Marketed as the DFM-UMP, it went on to become the most popular mask amongst MiLB Umpires, propelled by its light weight, its resistance to bending, and... most importantly... its $65 price tag. 
Well, as you'd know it, Wilson took notice and exception to this, since they're the "Exclusive Supplier to Major League Baseball Umpires". So, in short order, an aluminum version of the DynaLite was debuted (nicknamed by us here at U-E the DynAlum). It was quite impressive – looked just like a standard ChroMoly DynaLite, but in solid aluminum, so it was light(er)weight and much less prone to bend. However, not everything was roses, because it was priced at a staggering $110-$130! And, within a week, guess what happened? The price on the Diamond iX3 went up by $20 to $85-$89. Virtually overnight. A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats... and all that. 

Remember what I said about plateauing? In 2009, Jason Klein experienced a ripper of a concussion, and was forced to retire from professional umpiring. He, too, realized that mask technology hadn't progressed much, if at all, in nearly 100 years. So, embarking on five years of development work, and finally putting it all together to debut the Force3 Defender mask. It is a mechanical solution, and represented the first paradigm shift in such a long time, the Defender was enshrined in Cooperstown. Klein lamented that although the masks got lighter with titanium and aluminum, they got no more protective. 
He's right, to a point. 

It's not the mask frame that needs to improve. It's the mask pads... ... and Wilson doesn't want anything to change from their annual revenue stream of coerced renewal of purchasing cheap foam sausages. 

I can assure you, the pads topic is being addressed. In lieu of that, though, the introduction of magnesium as a mask frame material by All-Star was in direct response to the increased weight of the Force3 brought to market, and to once and for all put the titanium in the rear view mirror, with the durability to withstand bending and (nearly all) breaking. One of the things that dissuades more widespread use of the FM4K Magnesium is its radical, unorthodox appearance. However, the Davis Mirage12 can trace its lineage back to the iconic masks of the past, but optimized for us, for the first time in a long time. 

** - Or Fiber-resin (not fiberglass, nor carbon-fiber), as was what comprised the (in)famous +POS SUL100 / SUL200. 

[wolfe_man]

Gerry Davis Sports is making some major moves!  They're making progress with changes to uniforms (pants and shirts), masks, shin guards and chest protectors.  I love to see Derek & the good folks there driving the innovation on behalf of umpires!

[834k3r]

9 hours ago, MadMax said:

As I've shared before, in the realm of umpire gear, the traditional mask has reached an evolutionary fork-in-the-road, or intersection. There are three options: 

1. Geometric protection; the 3-dimensional shape of the mask is the primary factor as to its successful deflection, redirection, or mitigation of the impacting energy. This is an offshoot of Option 2, the Structural nature of the protection, because these geometries can only be achieved by advanced welding or 3D-rendered and molded shapes. 
2. Structural (incl. Metallurgical) protection; the physical properties of the materials used – the metals (or plastics) of the frame combined with the pads – are integral to the successful absorption and mitigation of the impacting energy. This option has plateaued several times in the last century, each time experiencing a gradual albeit agonizingly slow  improvement with advances made in the metals of the frame, the welding properties of those metals (and alloys), and the improvements of the pads and materials that comprise them. 
3. Mechanical protection; assembled mechanical (ie. moving) systems are integrated into the mask to actively reduce, retard, rebound and absorb the impacting energy. This, too, is an offshoot of Option 2, since the only way to make these systems lightweight enough to warrant inclusion on the mask is their welds have to be incredibly strong relative to the alloys used in constructing them. 

The best embodiment of Option 1 is the All-Star FM4K Mag, whereas the best (and right now, only) embodiment of Option 3 is the Force3 Defender V2-3. Option 2 had pretty much plateaued once again... 

... until now. 

This is the brand-new GerryDavis Mirage12: 

    

It opens the door on becoming the best mask for Option 2; and, once the pads are completed for it, it'll kick the door down and off its hinges. 

First, it is molded magnesium (alloy), just like the Rampage and the FM4KMag. Like the Rampage, there are no welds to pop or increase weight; indeed, the Rampage weighs in at ≈ 15.2 oz. Because All-Star put an emphasis on a radically angular and sloping geometry for the upper half of the FM4K, the mold had to be done in 2 pieces, with steel inserts welded together. As such, the FM4K weighs in at 16.2 oz. By paying careful attention to the geometry and the layout, @DerekGDS managed to bring the Mirage in at 11.71 oz. 

The bars are still flat, but they're not as broad as the FM4KMag or the Rampage. This took a lot of work, and dozens of resin prototypes to accomplish. The sightlines are on-par with a hollow-steel or I-Bar (think: All-Star or UnderArmour) mask, with a titanium only being marginally thinner. The real characteristic is the significantly reduced chance of breaking (no welds to pop) and the virtually eliminated chance of bending. That has always been the Achilles heel of titanium masks, relative to how expensive they are – they will bend before they break, and in order to rectify them, you have to apply the same amount of force that created the bend. Ya just can't "tap it out", like you can with steel. 

Indeed, Wilson embarked upon a smear campaign against titanium between 2013-2016. They were getting so many titanium masks bent and returned for exchange or refund, they were losing money (on them), and convinced (or implored) the PTB and POI in the Umpire community to label titanium masks as "dangerous". The vaunted Nike "Icon" titanium never experienced this revenue drain on Wilson, burdening their customer relations, because Nike never sold the mask in North America; they supplied it. The masks were a "branding & marketing" line-item write-off, supplied to MLB personalities and catchers of endorsed-by-Nike college programs. Titanium masks are, in and of themselves, not dangerous to any wearer or user... other to their wallet, because of the expense on purchasing it, repairing it when it bends, or replacing it when no longer able to repair it. 

During this time (circa 2009), All-Star embarked on a radical new design campaign, using new geometries afforded them by CAD/CAM design, testing, and shaped-hollow-tube construction. This was the System 7, manifested into the MVP2500 and MVP4000 -series HSMs and the FM1000 (design exercise), FM2000 ( @Thunderheads remembers this one, dontcha Jeff?!), and FM4000. While the FM2000 was intended primarily for umpires, the FM4000 was earmarked for catchers. All-Star was achieving masks that were remarkably strong, resilient to bending, and substantially lightweight all due to geometry, metallurgy (shaped hollow tube steel), and layout. However, due to All-Star's primary relationship to catchers, their products – with the exception of the CPU4000 AKA The 4TanK! – were configured and stylized for a catcher's needs more than an umpire's. Their shinguards, for example, are "umpire lite versions" of their catchers' shinguards. Their hardhats / skullcaps (a whole 'nother topic sometime soon) are configured to be worn brim-back (ie. backwards), instead of brim-forward as umpires do. And, their masks had smaller, less obtrusive Extended Chin Guards (XCG, henceforth) so as to allow catchers ahem... to tuck their chins to their chests easier and safer... an action that umpires are disciplined not to do! 

These features – driven for catchers – were paralleled by the Nike "Icon" Titanium (and its hollow-steel sibling). Introduced in 2004-5 for Jorge Posada specifically, the Nike Icon featured wispy-thin titanium single-wire layout, angled ear guards, and an elegant XCG that would completely eclipse the need for a dangling throat guard (TG, henceforth). As the "face" of MLB catchers, especially on the Yankees, Posada had a very marketable tendency to prop his mask atop his head, like a knight lifting the visor on his helmet. This was utterly complicated by having a DTG, so the first variants of the Nike Icon eliminated that need. Of course, at that time, most (nearly all) youth catchers masks were devoid of XCGs at all, since DTGs were the only viable solution. Most professional catcher's masks – the All-Star FM11 and Rawlings PWMX, most notably – had a short, square CG so as to mount a DTG (if chosen) further down so it wouldn't jam into and under a catcher's CP. Beginning around 2011-12, the Nike Icon's XCG was shortened, due to feedback from catchers who reported the prolonged length was impeding their dropping of their chin effectively. Again, this was based on catchers' feedback; and, rightly so, Nike made those modifications. 

Gerry Davis has significant relevance to the shifts that occurred in this industry. In approximately 2007, Gerry shared a radical new planform with a company named Diamond. This planform had single-bar construction – in keeping with the Nike Icons and "new" Wilson DynaLite (which was "improved" from its double-bar ancestor just after the Icon debuted as a single-bar catcher's mask) – a squared, chisel-bottom XCG (to wear without DTGs or to host DTGs easily), good-sized strut-less ear guards, and, evocative of Mizuno and SSK masks of Japan were including, an extended crown guard to protect the button on the top of the umpire's head. Furthermore, Diamond constructed it in aircraft-quality aluminum alloy, which resulted in a very clean, lightweight mask that wouldn't bend (or, at least be much less prone to bending), and wouldn't rust. Diamond debuted the mask in late-2008, alongside a catcher's version (also in aluminum, but with double-bar eye port and a rounded XCG instead of squared), and an entire suite of gear named the iX3 -series. It was downright award-winning. The catcher's version never took off, mostly due to aluminum's propensity to shear before bending, exacerbated by the frequency by which a catcher's mask hits the ground, or is thrown about, or hurled or crushed into a gear bag, or otherwise abused. Umpire's masks do not do this; in fact, an umpire's mask should not touch the ground!

The umpire's version, though, was a smashing success. Marketed as the DFM-UMP, it went on to become the most popular mask amongst MiLB Umpires, propelled by its light weight, its resistance to bending, and... most importantly... its $65 price tag. 
Well, as you'd know it, Wilson took notice and exception to this, since they're the "Exclusive Supplier to Major League Baseball Umpires". So, in short order, an aluminum version of the DynaLite was debuted (nicknamed by us here at U-E the DynAlum). It was quite impressive – looked just like a standard ChroMoly DynaLite, but in solid aluminum, so it was light(er)weight and much less prone to bend. However, not everything was roses, because it was priced at a staggering $110-$130! And, within a week, guess what happened? The price on the Diamond iX3 went up by $20 to $85-$89. Virtually overnight. A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats... and all that. 

Remember what I said about plateauing? In 2009, Jason Klein experienced a ripper of a concussion, and was forced to retire from professional umpiring. He, too, realized that mask technology hadn't progressed much, if at all, in nearly 100 years. So, embarking on five years of development work, and finally putting it all together to debut the Force3 Defender mask. It is a mechanical solution, and represented the first paradigm shift in such a long time, the Defender was enshrined in Cooperstown. Klein lamented that although the masks got lighter with titanium and aluminum, they got no more protective. 
He's right, to a point. 

It's not the mask frame that needs to improve. It's the mask pads... ... and Wilson doesn't want anything to change from their annual revenue stream of coerced renewal of purchasing cheap foam sausages. 

I can assure you, the pads topic is being addressed. In lieu of that, though, the introduction of magnesium as a mask frame material by All-Star was in direct response to the increased weight of the Force3 brought to market, and to once and for all put the titanium in the rear view mirror, with the durability to withstand bending and (nearly all) breaking. One of the things that dissuades more widespread use of the FM4K Magnesium is its radical, unorthodox appearance. However, the Davis Mirage12 can trace its lineage back to the iconic masks of the past, but optimized for us, for the first time in a long time. 

 

https://media1.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExa3h6Y3pxMHJ3d2kxdWZvY2lxcmJlZmtndjZqcTN2eWFlYmppeTl0bSZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/DPznISmq0hLRQqG71g/giphy.gif

[spiffdawg7]

6 hours ago, wolfe_man said:

Gerry Davis Sports is making some major moves!  They're making progress with changes to uniforms (pants and shirts), masks, shin guards and chest protectors.  I love to see Derek & the good folks there driving the innovation on behalf of umpires!

How would you rate the shin guards compared to Force 3? I'm interested in maybe getting some.  I absolutely love the new chest protector.  Thanks. 

[wolfe_man]

59 minutes ago, spiffdawg7 said:

How would you rate the shin guards compared to Force 3? I'm interested in maybe getting some.  I absolutely love the new chest protector.  Thanks. 

I haven't had the newest ones out there, but the ones I tested were good, but not quite equal to F3 yet.  Just being honest.  I'll wager that they're just as protective - but a bit hotter and not quite as low profile. 

The last set I wore were All Stars Cobalt line of shins, they stopped right at the top of my knee, are very low profile, are super-lightweight and protected me seeing pitches up to 95.  I had a UT commit (now a Freshmen at Tennessee) throwing mid-90s plunk me right on top of the knee in those with zero issue.  I won't buy F3 or any big logo manufacturer over $100 anymore... just not worth it to me when there are other options that offer the same protection for less money.

[DerekGDS]

1 hour ago, spiffdawg7 said:

How would you rate the shin guards compared to Force 3? I'm interested in maybe getting some.  I absolutely love the new chest protector.  Thanks

I will mirror what was said. They’re good, they aren’t Force3 good (both in profile and appearance) but they’re also not priced like Force3. (Then again, a lot of deals on them now) As I try not to be biased I think Force3 is still king here. We’ll see what we release in the next 12-24 months.

[834k3r]

2 hours ago, DerekGDS said:

I will mirror what was said. They’re good, they aren’t Force3 good (both in profile and appearance) but they’re also not priced like Force3. (Then again, a lot of deals on them now) As I try not to be biased I think Force3 is still king here. We’ll see what we release in the next 12-24 months.

[Go Navy Beat Army]

Y'all are trying to take my game checks!

[The Short Umpire]

3 hours ago, Go Navy Beat Army said:

Y'all are trying to take my game checks!

I don’t think that it’s gonna take too much convincing… 🤩🤑

[ArchAngel72]

That mask is very nice looking love that color too.

 

Max is there a suggested price yet?

[DerekGDS]

The frame this year will only be released in a matte black, 25/26 you can expect an additional color option.

The MSRP for the frame is $230 USD. I don't have any pricing details on it packaged with the mask pads yet or an official release date.

[spiffdawg7]

13 minutes ago, DerekGDS said:

The frame this year will only be released in a matte black, 25/26 you can expect an additional color option.

The MSRP for the frame is $230 USD. I don't have any pricing details on it packaged with the mask pads yet or an official release date.

Are you able to tell us what will be different about the pads than anything else on the market? I understand if you can't release that info yet. 

[MadMax]

18 hours ago, Go Navy Beat Army said:

Y'all are trying to take my game checks!

We really don’t want to. We want to provide choices and value. And this is me speaking as a “gear geek”, not directly representative of one manufacturer or another. Of course, I have my preferences and allegiances, but those are based on examining all the options and factors. 

Wilson, as the “Exclusive Supplier to MLB Umpires”, dominates the landscape by perceived value. That lofty position is held not by substance, but by the presence of a rectangular logo, and a secretive campaign of endorsement & marketing. 
Were you aware that they pay upwards of $15 Million per year to have their “representatives” lie or disguise the truth from you / us, the purchasing public? 
“It’s got the MLB logo on it! It must be the thing to buy!” They’re banking on that; they’re banking on you believing the lie. 

In best example, the Champro AMT CP is sold for ≈ $100. It is a direct replica, pretty much part-for-part, of the Wilson WestVest Gold… which sells, with only token, trivial update (25+ years of it!) for $215!!! 
Where’s that $115 going??!! 🤨

I explained all that history above, in my exhaustive post, to expose the shoddy, decrepit structure behind that perceived value. Using Douglas as an example, with their high price tags on CPs and shinguards, where’s that money going? Well, Douglas is the lone remaining manufacturer who is Made in the USA (for now). So, that’s where the bulk of it goes. Force3 has rather high price tags. Where does that go? Well, Force3 sunk a lot of money into infusing Kevlar – whether that be as a benefit, zero-sum-gain, or a detriment is a different and later discussion – into all their gear. That’s where the bulk of that goes. All-Star places a substantial amount of resources into its R&D department. 
So, what’s Wilson done for you??! 

[DerekGDS]

19 minutes ago, spiffdawg7 said:

Are you able to tell us what will be different about the pads than anything else on the market? I understand if you can't release that info yet. 

I can't comment on the specifics yet but I will say you can expect HDPE distribution plates (top and bottom) and a 3-layer laminate foam stack.

[Go Navy Beat Army]

3 hours ago, MadMax said:

We really don’t want to. We want to provide choices and value. And this is me speaking as a “gear geek”, not directly representative of one manufacturer or another. Of course, I have my preferences and allegiances, but those are based on examining all the options and factors. 

Wilson, as the “Exclusive Supplier to MLB Umpires”, dominates the landscape by perceived value. That lofty position is held not by substance, but by the presence of a rectangular logo, and a secretive campaign of endorsement & marketing. 
Were you aware that they pay upwards of $15 Million per year to have their “representatives” lie or disguise the truth from you / us, the purchasing public? 
“It’s got the MLB logo on it! It must be the thing to buy!” They’re banking on that; they’re banking on you believing the lie. 

In best example, the Champro AMT CP is sold for ≈ $100. It is a direct replica, pretty much part-for-part, of the Wilson WestVest Gold… which sells, with only token, trivial update (25+ years of it!) for $215!!! 
Where’s that $115 going??!! 🤨

I explained all that history above, in my exhaustive post, to expose the shoddy, decrepit structure behind that perceived value. Using Douglas as an example, with their high price tags on CPs and shinguards, where’s that money going? Well, Douglas is the lone remaining manufacturer who is Made in the USA (for now). So, that’s where the bulk of it goes. Force3 has rather high price tags. Where does that go? Well, Force3 sunk a lot of money into infusing Kevlar – whether that be as a benefit, zero-sum-gain, or a detriment is a different and later discussion – into all their gear. That’s where the bulk of that goes. All-Star places a substantial amount of resources into its R&D department. 
So, what’s Wilson done for you??! 

I'm a firm believer in supporting companies who support us. Plus, you haven't steered me wrong yet. I just so happened to be looking for a back-up to my All Star Magnesium mask when you posted this gem. I like the longer throat extension. It appears to be long enough to protect the throat without requiring a dangling throat guard. As one who has taken a shot to the throat (freshmen game, thank God), I always protect mine. Fool me once....

[MadMax]

5 hours ago, Go Navy Beat Army said:

I just so happened to be looking for a back-up to my All Star Magnesium mask when you posted this gem. I like the longer throat extension. It appears to be long enough to protect the throat without requiring a dangling throat guard.

That was the primary idea. @DerekGDS made and stuck to the decision to exaggerate the length, just a smidge longer than what the original Nike “Icon” had. Certainly not as exaggerated as Jeff Nelson’s custom “long-beard” XCG on a Mizuno. @wolfe_man and I reinforced that conviction, primarily because I’m an advocate for umpire-specific gear. I was a catcher; I love catchers. Catchers have got enough stuff for them. The FM4000? Designed and made for catchers. 

Now, if you (anyone) wants to chop that (beautiful!) XCG off, and hang a DTG on it, go right ahead… it’s your prerogative. I will say this – if this really takes off, and we hear feedback that a DTG would be nice, then we’ll likely design a new type of DTG that has actual hinges, and swings a lot cleaner and more controlled than those wretched plastic shoehorns. 

What you might just find… that FM4000 Mag becomes your backup to the Mirage. The bars aren’t as broad, improving the sight lines, it’s lighter by 4.5 ounces, it easily allows a 6-stitch hat to be worn without impediment, and it will also accept a conventional sun visor (even though we’ll likely toy with designing a new one). 

[Rock Bottom]

12 hours ago, DerekGDS said:

I can't comment on the specifics yet but I will say you can expect HDPE distribution plates (top and bottom) and a 3-layer laminate foam stack.

Any idea when it will be out this year? I've been holding off on a new mask purchase - season starts in April here (Chicago burbs); I'd love not to have to use a separate plastic throat guard, but with the small one on my current mask (All-Star FM4000 steel) I won't ump without one. This one looks and sounds like a great option!

 

[FranklinT]

6 hours ago, MadMax said:

That was the primary idea. @DerekGDS made and stuck to the decision to exaggerate the length, just a smidge longer than what the original Nike “Icon” had. Certainly not as exaggerated as Jeff Nelson’s custom “long-beard” XCG on a Mizuno.

Loved that Jeff Nelson Mizuno mask.  He wore that for a long time. 

[DerekGDS]

9 hours ago, Rock Bottom said:

Any idea when it will be out this year?

The hope is early May, but it’s about 50/50 the production will line up with when the next container sails. 🤞

[dumbdumb]

On 2/20/2025 at 8:18 PM, MadMax said:

That was the primary idea. @DerekGDS made and stuck to the decision to exaggerate the length, just a smidge longer than what the original Nike “Icon” had. Certainly not as exaggerated as Jeff Nelson’s custom “long-beard” XCG on a Mizuno. @wolfe_man and I reinforced that conviction, primarily because I’m an advocate for umpire-specific gear. I was a catcher; I love catchers. Catchers have got enough stuff for them. The FM4000? Designed and made for catchers. 

 

and this was why, with the what we know now "protection issues" you should have been on Posada's 1-800-number hot line to get all player's equipment that offered more protection and better protection than the umpires selection. whether the yeager throat protector of days gone by was better protection wise or the extended bars were better let either be ok to wear.  and then the main issue of the mask. since umps have twice as many chances per game of getting whacked (sorry, i am not using analytics, (just a my gut guess), including if wearing their mask with the helmet bill turned backwards offered the most protection. who cares which way the helmet/skull cap or hat is turned, if forwards offers better concussion protection wear it forward, if backwards like a player offers more protection using a player's mask/skull cap, wear it backwards. only some who cared for vanity reasons rather than health reasons would put one at extra risk, and is that really who you want to work for, if a known way to add protection makes you look a little funny or do you want to say goofy. big deal with goofy. oh yea, and don't some workers in this country have to wear steel toe shoes for protection. wonder why that is. must be something to it. why not the best protection for the ole noggin without worrying about possibly getting less protection due to wearing the hat or skull cap or regular hat, forwards or backwards if more protection (wearing it backwards, (if, if, if) that does get you more concussion protection. now if you do not want to wear it backwards even if, if, if, it does give more protection, then that is on the person themselves, but at least it is not a mandate to wear the cap forward or backwards if you want to. what does that have to do with getting the balls and strikes correct. stand on your head if you want to.

[wolfe_man]

The more that I look at this new frame, the more I like it.  I can't wait to see what pads will look like on this too.  Great job by all involved here guys!

[834k3r]

21 minutes ago, wolfe_man said:

The more that I look at this new frame, the more I like it.  I can't wait to see what pads will look like on this too.  Great job by all involved here guys!

@wolfe_man buys GD mask

@wolfe_man immediately puts GD mask up for sale on U-E as a pre-season equipment sale

 

Sorry--I had to.

 

[Replacematt]

I wonder if Belgards will fit on this. It might get me to give an external use of magnesium a shot.

My concern about the fit is primarily where the ear extension attaches on its lower portion. Belgard makes its pads more compact and the upper attachment point on the pads is lower than on many others.

[umpstu]

5 hours ago, dumbdumb said:

and this was why, with the what we know now "protection issues" you should have been on Posada's 1-800-number hot line to get all player's equipment that offered more protection and better protection than the umpires selection. whether the yeager throat protector of days gone by was better protection wise or the extended bars were better let either be ok to wear.  and then the main issue of the mask. since umps have twice as many chances per game of getting whacked (sorry, i am not using analytics, (just a my gut guess), including if wearing their mask with the helmet bill turned backwards offered the most protection. who cares which way the helmet/skull cap or hat is turned, if forwards offers better concussion protection wear it forward, if backwards like a player offers more protection using a player's mask/skull cap, wear it backwards. only some who cared for vanity reasons rather than health reasons would put one at extra risk, and is that really who you want to work for, if a known way to add protection makes you look a little funny or do you want to say goofy. big deal with goofy. oh yea, and don't some workers in this country have to wear steel toe shoes for protection. wonder why that is. must be something to it. why not the best protection for the ole noggin without worrying about possibly getting less protection due to wearing the hat or skull cap or regular hat, forwards or backwards if more protection (wearing it backwards, (if, if, if) that does get you more concussion protection. now if you do not want to wear it backwards even if, if, if, it does give more protection, then that is on the person themselves, but at least it is not a mandate to wear the cap forward or backwards if you want to. what does that have to do with getting the balls and strikes correct. stand on your head if you want to.

You still have at least three pages to catch up with Max.

[umpstu]

3 hours ago, 834k3r said:

@wolfe_man buys GD mask

@wolfe_man immediately puts GD mask up for sale on U-E as a pre-season equipment sale

 

Sorry--I had to.

 

Wolfe_man, do you have any GD masks for sale?