[GarthB]

I have defended the Zero Gravity mask for over two years now. It was sent to me to try out and I bought it after using it in just one game. I loved the view and the weight.

Over time, people kept complaining about dents and dings and, while my mask had taken several hard hits, it was holding up fine. Nothing to report, and I was confused by the all negative comments from others.

This past week, I was working a scrimmage and took two fouls to the mask. When I got home, my son looked at the mask and asked, "What the hell happened to you?"

I examined the mask and saw that the two hits, nearly in the exact same spot on the vertical supports to the upper horizontal bar, had pushed the support inward and the horizontal bar downward, squeezing it towards the bar below it and reducing the major view opening by over 1/4 inch.

I wouldn't trust it in another game.

I've ordered the new Wilson on line and will be wearing my old West Vest mask until it arrives.