[bdub712]

I have used the h/s mask for five years now. I learned with a conventional mask and made the switch only to experiment with the possibility. I have used the mask in high school games and college games and have seen the benefits during both. I have an All-Star MVP 2300 with the double-bar plain steel mask. I have taken countless shots to the face over the years and the mask has held up perfectly. My main complaint with the conventional mask is the fact that when you get hit, the mask flies off erratically, not to mention the stars that you see afterwards.

Now, the controversy about not having a hat on, and being our of uniform I can buy to a degree. How many times have you seen an umpire quickly remove his mask to only have his hat come off as well? Now, granted it is for a limited time and he replaces it once the play is over, but the hat is still off. An umpire with a h/s mask is seen without his hat on in between innings and during live ball play (if he takes it off like you are suppose) which can be seen as being out of uniform. But, really what does having a hat on in between innings do for you. I have known many base umpires to go out into shallow right field in between innings and remove their hat before they take their position to start the next inning.

Overall, this is a matter of preference. If you feel more comfortable behind the plate, then you are inclined to make better calls and feel more confident. I would think that this is a state that all umpires want to be in regardless of what mask they use.


Play ball...