[nickrego]

The difference is the material that either the helmet or the cage is made out of.

As the materials get stronger, the price goes up.

When All Star first came out with this line of products for umpires, that is how they listed the product usages.

See my post above. I list the differences for each price, and the All Star usage recommendations.

And yes, the ball comes off the bat harder for NCAA and MLB, and the the pitches are a tad bit faster in MLB.

I know I have never experienced a 90+ mph fastball coming off an NCAA legal Aluminum bat in HS. Nor have I been hit on the bean with a 100+ mph fastball in HS.

I currently use the low-end All Star. If I were to ever have the opportunity to work above HS, I would be purchasing the TOP-END ASAP !