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I'm in my 17th year of baseball officiating which includes experience in high school varsity and summer collegiate leagues.
As the result of too many concussions the last two being a car accident and being checked headfirst into the boards in a hockey game my doc suggested I go with the hockey style helmet. I spent about a month checking out various helmets and then bought an Easton Stealth.
I've noticed that some of you are concerned about different associations considering the helmet to be out of uniform. I was the first in my association to wear the helmet. My assoc. is very uptight about umpires having a professional appearance but they have been very good with those that want to wear the helmet. I'm doing the Pacific Southwest Regionals for the Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken league tonight and they don't have any problem with it.
Here are some observations regarding the hockey style mask:
1. My field of vision is much better. I can see the entire field without any bars and that includes all but the most extreme fly balls.
2. Foul balls to the face are much easier to take with the exception of shots directly to the chin area. Most foul balls just skim off the thing.
3. The ventilation in my hockey style mask actually makes it a bit cooler than a traditional mask/cap combo.
4.I am going bald so I use a Nike scull cap similar to an Under Armour. The Nike cap is less garish. I like it because it keeps the sweat completely out of my face and helps with the cooling.
5. Initially I was concerned about what would happen when I needed to remove the helmet. As it turns out it's not really any different that removing a traditional mask and holding it. The cool thing about the helmet is I can leave it on because of the vision benefits. With that said habit has me removing it most of the time and holding it in my left hand the same way I did my traditonal mask.
6. I get compliments all the time on the looks. People even like the Nike scull cap. Most of the catchers are jealous because the Stealth is such a nice helmet.
7. If you have a big head then I'd go with the All Star in an XL. The STealth only comes in large and I'm starting to think it's too small.
8. I've noticed a lot of similarities in a lot of the manufacturers products. I starting to think that most of these helmets are made in the same place and rebadged.
9. Every year more and more umps around here are going to the helmet. I'd say that most of them make the switch when their traditional mask needs replaced. I know of about five umps that are making the switch next season.
I yanked out my regular mask the other day when I forgot my scull cap. I couldn't believe how cumbersome it felt in comparison to my helmet. I was also shocked that the vision was so much worse. I was very happpy to get back to my helmet.
Anyway, just my two cents.
Eric
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