hockey style helmets

jumpmaster · #1 (**permalink**) Thu May 27, 2004, 10:20am

I am looking at getting a helmet-mask combo.

I am wondering what the best/worst are. I am moving into upper American Legion ball and being evaluated to move into juco ball. I want a set-up that can handle this level of baseball.

nickrego · #2 (**permalink**) Thu May 27, 2004, 10:41am

Go to this web page and you can read about the helmet I use and how it has worked out for me.

http://www.reegind.com/helmet.htm

greymule · #3 (**permalink**) Thu May 27, 2004, 02:40pm

To me, the most vulnerable spot is the top of the head, which the mask of course does not protect. Every year I get hit on the cap button by a pitch deflected downward by the catcher's glove. I tried those visorless helmets but gave that up because the straps sometimes lose their grip and pop off at bad times, like when the pitch is on the way. They were also very hot in the summer.

All-Star makes the helmet the MLB umps use. It is no doubt very fine, but the lowest price I've found on it is $350.

Mizuno makes what appears to be an excellent helmet for under $150. I haven't seen one live, though. +POS offers it.

nickrego · #4 (**permalink**) Thu May 27, 2004, 02:57pm

The All Star is available in several models ranging from $129 - $400, depending on where purchased.

Fiberglass helmet and Steel cage, HS and down.
Fiberglass helmet and Titanium cage, NCAA and down.
Kevlar helmet and Titanium cage, MLB and down.

LDUB · #5 (**permalink**) Thu May 27, 2004, 03:25pm

Quote:

Originally posted by nickrego
The All Star is available in several models ranging from $129 - $400, depending on where purchased.

Fiberglass helmet and Steel cage, HS and down.
Fiberglass helmet and Titanium cage, NCAA and down.
Kevlar helmet and Titanium cage, MLB and down.

So what is the difference? Does the ball move that much slower in NCAA than it does in MLB? What is difference between these helmets?

doogus · #6 (**permalink**) Thu May 27, 2004, 03:44pm

You might consider the Pro9 to see if you really like it before spending big bucks. I know that one of the college umps in our association uses one. I bought one for my Queen and she really likes it. Seems like good quality at a great price.

IMO some of the hockey masks are priced based on reputation & status. All-Star had the first ones about 8 years ago so they tend to be most expensive. JMO but I think you tend to pay for the name on some things. But if it fits, is comfortable and you love it then money is the last thing you worry about.

nickrego · #7 (**permalink**) Thu May 27, 2004, 04:42pm

The difference is the material that either the helmet or the cage is made out of.

As the materials get stronger, the price goes up.

When All Star first came out with this line of products for umpires, that is how they listed the product usages.

See my post above. I list the differences for each price, and the All Star usage recommendations.

And yes, the ball comes off the bat harder for NCAA and MLB, and the the pitches are a tad bit faster in MLB.

I know I have never experienced a 90+ mph fastball coming off an NCAA legal Aluminum bat in HS. Nor have I been hit on the bean with a 100+ mph fastball in HS.

I currently use the low-end All Star. If I were to ever have the opportunity to work above HS, I would be purchasing the TOP-END ASAP !

bob jenkins · #8 (**permalink**) Thu May 27, 2004, 05:28pm

Quote:

Originally posted by greymule
Every year I get hit on the cap button by a pitch deflected downward by the catcher's glove.

Exactly how does that happen?

nickrego · #9 (**permalink**) Thu May 27, 2004, 05:38pm

He's looking between the catcher's legs ?

greymule · #10 (**permalink**) Thu May 27, 2004, 08:16pm

Exactly how does that [getting hit on the cap button] happen?

The catcher reaches up for a high pitch, and the ball hits the heel of the glove and deflects downward onto my head. It happens a couple of times a year.

Incidentally, I've seen many high schoolÂ–age pitchers with major league fastballs. They may not be MLB-quality pitchers, but in terms of pure speed, they throw harder than many MLB pitchers.

[Edited by greymule on May 27th, 2004 at 09:20 PM]

Rich · #11 (**permalink**) Fri May 28, 2004, 12:20am

Quote:

Originally posted by nickrego
The difference is the material that either the helmet or the cage is made out of.

As the materials get stronger, the price goes up.

When All Star first came out with this line of products for umpires, that is how they listed the product usages.

See my post above. I list the differences for each price, and the All Star usage recommendations.

And yes, the ball comes off the bat harder for NCAA and MLB, and the the pitches are a tad bit faster in MLB.

I know I have never experienced a 90+ mph fastball coming off an NCAA legal Aluminum bat in HS. Nor have I been hit on the bean with a 100+ mph fastball in HS.

I currently use the low-end All Star. If I were to ever have the opportunity to work above HS, I would be purchasing the TOP-END ASAP !

Why? I worked college baseball with the low end All-Star and it held up quite well.

--Rich

nickrego · #12 (**permalink**) Fri May 28, 2004, 12:47am

I have seen the steel cages get broken as do steel masks. I have never heard of a Titanium cage failing. Nor have I heard of any injuries, from any cage. But the cost to replace the cage assembly is about $1.50 less than a new helmet. I guess I could wait for my cage to get damaged and then buy the replacement.

But to be honest, I don't think I need to worry about buying an upgrade for a few more years.

jumpmaster · #13 (**permalink**) Fri May 28, 2004, 07:27am

I appreciate the information from the crew.

I was discussing this with some of my peers in my association and they all use the low-end all-star mask.

As for MLB speed - I had a 16 year old kid throwing in the mid-80s Wednesday night and my partner had an 18 year old throwing in the low 90s during the HS season. Incidentally, he took two shots off his low-end All-Star from this kid and is none the worse for wear.

3appleshigh · #14 (**permalink**) Fri May 28, 2004, 09:50am

Light weight, comfortable and a huge increase in vison. I loved it.

Just a side note, the Easton VRS and All-Star are both cut out much farther back at eye level than the 9 and Diamond and Rawlings and Mizuno, when you put them both on it is a rediculous amount of difference. In the Easton, I have almost full periferal(sP) vision without any blockage, in the others it was like half, only slightly better than with a conventional mask. I foundmy Easton on Ebay for $75 US, total $97us including shipping to canada, which with duty came to $157 Can., for a mask that retails her for $189.99 + Tax for a total of $218.49. A great deal if I do say so myself. However, I had to watch Ebay for about 1 1/2 months before an Easton came up, the All-star's appear a bit more readily. (Use Catcher's helmet as your search) P.S I found three places that sell the easton for $89Us + shipping so you can find a great price on a great helmet if you just searc a bit.

DG · #15 (**permalink**) Fri May 28, 2004, 07:10pm

I have never even dreamed of getting a hockey style mask for several reasons. One is cost. Two, it looks heavy. Three, I am very comfortable with my ultralight single bar. And finally, it looks HOT, as in temperature-wise. I know it is more expensive than a regular ultra-light but can it be as light, and is it HOT under there?

[Edited by DG on May 28th, 2004 at 08:30 PM]