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HSM
I tell you right now, a hot shot up the line used to get me. I'm not proud of it, but it was true, I had trouble picking the ball up right from the bat on some occasion. In my first game with the helmet I saw a marked improvement in this area alone. With the extra view, the ball is in site more time, and therefore easier to pick up. Therefore better for me.
I like the better view of R1, it allows you to anticipate the play better, both for steals, see the pitch call the pitch make sure you are out of the catcher's way ect. it may not change anything you do at all, but you are more aware, also it sets you up better for possible pickoff plays, as you can see the runner and just how far his lead is, again may not change anything, but make you more aware and ready for possible balks, or rundowns or anything that may happen.
Also a good view of R3 is great to see if he is coming on a squeeze, stealing home or the like, again getting you a bit more ready for the possible plays/infractions.
None of these things will make or break a game or an umpire, these aren't things that you cannot do with a mask, these are things that the HSM make easier. Plus the added confidence of seeing much more will add to your being. The safty is obviously better, and the comfort in my opinon is far superior. The main down size is it is slightly more awkward in your hand, that's really it. And in my opinion, the mask is awkward as well, just less so.
So what I see are benifits in vision and safty, and a slight disadvantage in asthetics, it seems awfully silly that that would be someone's reason to not improve their abilities. And even more silly to bad mouth anyone who dares to use one.
To each his own, but don't make an arguement against the mask when you haven't even tried it, don't stick your head in the sand and simply say no. Is it for everyone, NO, even major league catchers don't all where one, but if they think it can improve thier game, why would you think that it cannot improve yours??
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