I am a mask/cap person. Helmets are for catchers.. why would an ump need head protection, unless he's blinkin and dancin back there? JMHO... What I do not like from my perspective is the few guys I've seen using helmets is the reluctance to pull them off for plays, the "joe cool" attitude encompassd with not pulling them off and the fact that I've seen guys discussing stuff with the skipper with the helmet on. Sorry, I like to discuss whatever with a skip face to face, not hiding behind a mask...JMHP
Garth has a point with the noise issue, those things rattle like a bad jalopy cruising the ol route 99! I've had F2's get wacked and it sounds like his head shoulda come poppin off!, I could imagine my ears in one of those, no thanks!! To each his own.....BUT,beware guys..ASA has required tourney umps to wear a cap under the hel/mask...beanies may come back
