Hockey Face masks

TexBlue

I wear the All-Star composite mask. I love it. I know it got a bad reputation a few years ago, but I've had no problems at all with it. It's lighter than the ultra light metal mask. I have no problem taking it off unless I have a brain slip and wear the 6 stitch hat. Then I have to be a little more concious of taking the mask off. I've got a few friends who use the hockey mask and they wouldn't take anything for them. I might bring up the hat issue at the next meeting we have, just to start some excitement.

whiskers_ump

BigUmpJohn,

Do you work with Steve on ocassions?
Just curious.

Steve M

Glen,
No, John & I don't work together - different districts, separated by about 220 miles (I know - you Texas folks figger 200 miles is right next door...)

Although I do have a very good idea of where John's town is - It's not that far from where I grew up.

BigUmpJohn

Glen,

I'll echo Steve here. We are roughly 200 miles from each other and while I do know where he is, we do not work together. Maybe someday when I pass through I'll stop by, but I won't be over there any time soon.

Del-Blue

I use a light weight Wilson A3008. There are lighter ones, but this works well for me. I only wear six stitch hats, bases and plate, and don't have a problem with them comming off.

Big Kahuna

I have used a hockey style mask for the last 2 years. I personally wouldn't use anything else. I was the first person to use one in our association and the hat issue never came up. Guess if no one says anything, it must not be a problem.

whiskers_ump

Originally posted by Steve M
Glen,
No, John & I don't work together - different districts, separated by about 220 miles (I know - you Texas folks figger 200 miles is right next door...)

Although I do have a very good idea of where John's town is - It's not that far from where I grew up.

Steve,

You are right. My first HS tournament is 172 miles from my front
door. I have done it for six years. The school gets all the teams
that were in the State playoffs plus some of the other teams and
has a hell of a tournament. Not a bad deal though. Get travel one
way and they put us in motel and feed one meal per day. It is a 3
day event. Walter Sparks usually drops by.

whiskers_ump

Originally posted by Big Kahuna
I have used a hockey style mask for the last 2 years. I personally wouldn't use anything else. I was the first person to use one in our association and the hat issue never came up. Guess if no one says anything, it must not be a problem.

Welcome to the board B K. 👋

Where you from?

Big Kahuna

Thanks, I have been an avid reader of the forum for quite some time and thought it might be time to join the fun. I am from Baton Rouge, La.

whiskers_ump

I call AFA with a group from La.. Gene Loar, Morgan
Maynard, Tory Brown, Butch Herbert and others. Have
you have run into them?

ASA/NYSSOBLUE

I could see ASA potentially getting into trouble if they outright BAN umps from wearing the hockey mask...if I was a manufacturer of same I could think about suing..especially if they ever make the full mask mandatory for JO players,as some states are thinking about. There is no way that ASA could justify it on safety or vision grounds..as someone alluded to, all they are waiting for is for a way to make big time $$ off of them-remember how sunglasses used to verboten? NOW ASA is right up there,selling those $98 wonders...give them time and they wil be selling the hockey masks with 'ASA' on them...

Big Kahuna

Haven't had the pleasure yet.

Dakota

Originally posted by ASA/NYSSOBLUE
I could see ASA potentially getting into trouble if they outright BAN umps from wearing the hockey mask...if I was a manufacturer of same I could think about suing..especially if they ever make the full mask mandatory for JO players,as some states are thinking about. There is no way that ASA could justify it on safety or vision grounds..as someone alluded to, all they are waiting for is for a way to make big time $$ off of them-remember how sunglasses used to verboten? NOW ASA is right up there,selling those $98 wonders...give them time and they wil be selling the hockey masks with 'ASA' on them...

I don't expect ASA would directly ban them, but they do have the right to expect their umpires to be in uniform, and at the present time, that includes an ASA-logoed hat. They also still regulate mask and pad color, don't they?

Even though I joked about it earlier, I can't imagine they would really require an ASA-logo on such an expensive piece of equipment, but who knows???

ASA/NYSSOBLUE

Originally posted by Dakota

Originally posted by ASA/NYSSOBLUE
I could see ASA potentially getting into trouble if they outright BAN umps from wearing the hockey mask...if I was a manufacturer of same I could think about suing..especially if they ever make the full mask mandatory for JO players,as some states are thinking about. There is no way that ASA could justify it on safety or vision grounds..as someone alluded to, all they are waiting for is for a way to make big time $$ off of them-remember how sunglasses used to verboten? NOW ASA is right up there,selling those $98 wonders...give them time and they wil be selling the hockey masks with 'ASA' on them...
I don't expect ASA would directly ban them, but they do have the right to expect their umpires to be in uniform, and at the present time, that includes an ASA-logoed hat. They also still regulate mask and pad color, don't they?

Even though I joked about it earlier, I can't imagine they would really require an ASA-logo on such an expensive piece of equipment, but who knows???

how about a 1 stitch cap that might fit under the mask? LOL...seriously,we all know it takes ASA a few years to catch up to new types of gear....but they [and all the state associations too, BTW] WILL have to face the fact that eventually the 'normal' facemask will be rarer,as most CATCHERS go to the hockey mask,thus making the 'regular' mask a bit more expensive..and the hockey masks keep coming down in price,making them more and more attractive to umps at all levels.

Steve M

In college games and in the state level high school playoff games, I have seen a number of umpires wear the helemt. I've seen two wearing a beanie under it and one guy wear a 4-stitch. The rest went bare-headed and got nailed on their evaluations. College ball, at least the associations I'm in, expects that a 4-stitch or longer will be worn. Pa high school expects that a hat will be worn - and Pa still accepts the beanie as a valid hat.

I'm still using a lightweight version of the "old" style mask. I've stopped using the 4-stitch and been using a 6-stitch for a while. Now I'm beginning to use the 8-stitch. Once I'm used to that, I'll be buying fewer hats each year.

TexBlue

Big Kahuna, do you ever call in Gonzales? I called a tournament for PONY down there last year. The park is excellent and the folks were great! You ever go there?

IRISHMAFIA

About 5 years ago, I picked up a Wilson light-weight composite for under $50.

Also, when wearing the mask, I wore an 8-stitch hat and never had a problem removing the mask. It just takes a little practice of a continuous out-and-up motion.

BTW, I don't believe there is any way ASA would ever "ban" particular equipment, but there is no way they can be required to accept particular equipment.

CecilOne

Originally posted by Steve M

Originally posted by Dakota

Originally posted by bethsdad
Would it be alright if you cut the bill off an older hat so it would fit under your helmet ? Brian

Maybe, but the propeller on top would get in the way.

ROFLMAO
and how would Cecil feel about his partner "Beanie"?

Sorry, Cecil - just showing my age & smart mouth a bit with this one.

How did I get into this, when no one else still wears the heavyweight mask and real shinguards? 😀

Rich

Originally posted by IRISHMAFIA
About 5 years ago, I picked up a Wilson light-weight composite for under $50.

Also, when wearing the mask, I wore an 8-stitch hat and never had a problem removing the mask. It just takes a little practice of a continuous out-and-up motion.

BTW, I don't believe there is any way ASA would ever "ban" particular equipment, but there is no way they can be required to accept particular equipment.

I've been using the hockey helmet in baseball for 2 seasons. I'll never go back. I don't like the fact that between innings I'm hatless, but at the same time this is an excellent incentive for me to keep my hair short in season.

Once adjusted properly so that the helmet fits right, it is highly comfortable and provides the best vision possible.

It's just a matter of time.

Del-Blue

I agree with Steve, NFHS, NCAA,and ASA require hats. Maybe on the local level, you can get away with it, but not in Championship play. When I went to Mens B national last year, there were questions about the helmet. Answer was, Sure you can wear it, but you better have a hat underneath, that stays on you head.

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