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The primary intended, designed and provable benefit of a helmet is safety. The were not intended to improve vision and has been pointed out, even some manufacturers believe claims to the contrary are, at best, silly.
I have never had an issue with those umpires who felt, either due to the environment or their habits, they needed additional protection.
Many of us do not need additional protection, but the economics of production may make that a moot point. Too bad. It not only will remove a useful and trusted tool, it will, to the unlearned, give the perception that many gadget lovers are really visionaries.
As Tee points out, this change is not driven by the umpire market. The umpire market is too small to demand the protection of the marketplace. Our tools are only affordable because they began life, and in many intances, still exist more profitably, as tools for others.
Our plate shoes, for example, began as industrial safetywear and many of them can be found sold under other names for use in that arena. Our masks began as a catcher's tool and there are far more catchers than umpires. I knew the first time I saw a catcher wear a hockey mask that the umpire mask was doomed.
Life will go on. One will still be able to hear the "ping" of the bat and fielders will still play hard grounders off the carpet. But when it comes down to it. It will still take three outs to retire the side and the team with the most runs will win. Even puffed-up, self-proclaimed internet "visionaries" will be unable to change that.
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GB
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