I really wasn't trying to make this a debate about the HSM vs traditional masks as anyone who has been paying attention to the previous threads will know that most minds are not going to be changed on this issue. I was only responding to those who chose to ignore some blatantly obvious facts.
That being said, Jeff are you some kind of idiot? The masks that umpires wear that are styled after hockey goalie masks are designed to provide protection from the impact of objects at high speeds, baseballs at 70 to 100 mph depending on the level of ball, or bats. Calling the material it is made out of plastic is a bit disingenuous, as my materials college instructor would say, because there are literally thousands of different kinds of plastic, all with varying capabilities in regards to a multitude of material characteristics.
The plastic, as you call it, is specifically designed for maximum impact protection. It has "plastic" foam padding behind specifically designed to disperse and absorb impact. Said plastic covers the entire head, unlike a traditional mask which only gives protection to the front of the head.
While you may not like HSM, and that is absolutely fine by me, I refuse to let you or others spread untruths about them, because I am happy and satisfied user who sees the obvious addtional benefits from wearing them.
Stay with the traditional mask, but don't tell me that the HSM are not inherently safer. I saw the MLB umpire take a shattered bat against the side of his head last weekend. He absolutely would have been better protected had he been wearing a HSM. That fact that he wasn't is his personal preference and doesn't diminish his choice one bit. But facts are facts.
I've had balls come whizzing back by my head from short backstops and know that if they caught my noggin, I'd see stars and have a nice lump. So I choose to wear a HSM.
Please stay with your traditional mask. Just don't tell me the HSM's aren't safer because you are flat out wrong.
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Originally Posted by JRutledge
Whether or not there is a piece of plastic does not automatically make the helmet safer.
You said this was not about the helmet vs. mask debate, but every post you are defending the use of a helmet and claiming the helmet is safer. Sounds like you are trying to have the debate from where I am standing.
Peace
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