You believe wrong. As an owner of the Plus POS and one who has worn the Davis/Wilson, I can tell you that the Zero Gravity is not "flat" like the new Davis/Wilson. It is rounded similarly to my West Vest mask. And yes, I can wear a 7 stitch base hat underneath without the brim contacting the bars. I had difficulty with a six stitch brim under the Davis/Wilson.

I believe "squared off" refers to the opening. The bars remain parallel from end to end with no downward curve of the upper bar and no upward curve of the lower bar.

[Edited by GarthB on Mar 23rd, 2005 at 08:40 PM]

Someone told me that it was a "new view" mask, but he didn't own one so I guess I shouln't have believed him.

I don't wear it in games, but I can fit an 8 stitch cap under my mask with no problems at all.

Hey Luke:
 

Maybe Lance will come over from the other site and tell us that he wears that 17 stitch "Marlin Fishing" brim while wearing the "Umpire Lance" SuperDuper View Hockey Helmet he wears.

Re: Hey Luke:
 

What did you think I was wearing when I said I don't wear the 8 stitch in games? I assumed it was obvious that I wear the 17 stitch behind the plate.

Just last weekend I did a DH, and I had the plate first game. The 17 stitch worked great. It blocked the sun very well which allowed me to call several balks on the pitcher because his toe hung out approx. 1.5 inches off the edge of the rubber when he was in the set postion. I might have missed those crucial calls if the sun had been in my eyes.

After the game, as me and my partner were walking back to our cars, I dropped the neon yellow 17 stitch cap into a mud puddle. It was ruined. There was no way I could clean it off before the next game was to start.

I knew it would be impossible to fit my 29 stitch base hat under my "new view" mask (I worked the plate the second game too. My partners know that when they work with me, I am so awesome, that I always do the plate), so I had to borrow one of my partners 4 stitch hats. It was navy, that won't match my neon yellow mask. And no way can this hat block the sun I thought. I will have to hold up my left hand while I am in my stance to block the sun from my eyes.

My partner pointed out to me that the sun had shifted postions in the sky and it would no longer be a problem for me. What an idiot. I said to him what if a shiny airplane flies by, and the sun reflects off it and into my eyes? Do you want me to miss one of those balk calls? He didn't even have a response.

While walking to the field I realized another problem. If I am holding my left hand to the sky, how will I be able to hold my 11 wheel indicator? Being the smart guy that I am, I gave it to my partner, and told him to keep track out the count, outs, innings, which spot in the batting order is up for both teams, number of elgible subs on both teams, and how many ounces of water are left in my water bottle that is clipped to my back belt loop. There are a few more wheels, but my partner never gave it back to me so I can't remember all of them off the top of my head.

Top of the first, and the first batter singles on the first pitch. Next batter, I call the first pitch a strike. The pitcher gets back on the rubber and looks in for his sign.

My idiot partner is messing up again. I call time and walk out to him in B. I ask him why he didn't say the count for everyone to hear after the pitch. He told me that was my job, but I quickly reminded him that he is the one holding the 2 pound indicator. He asked another stupid question when he said why do I need to say the count after the first pitch, dosen't everyone know the count is 0-1? What a rookie. I told him he better say the count after every pitch or I was tossing him out of the game. He knows who the boss is.

What a partner I had that day. After the game he made a comment to me about how cool I looked when I was blocking the sun with my left hand, and giving the do not pitch signal with my right. At least he reconizes that I am far superior to him in every way. If only everyone was as good as me.

WOW:
 

lol . . .

Now this is GOOD STUFF!

Thanks Luke . . . I needed this.

Re: Re: Hey Luke:
 

LOL! For a minute I thought WCB was back...

Absolutely the best shin guards out there, IMHO. I've used the West Vest ones and others before, but why pay 3 times as much? The GD 2-strap ones are comfortable, light, and very protective, hands down.

For chest protectors, I use the West Vest Platinum (might be called the Wilson platinum now). I wouldn't trade it for anything, and its protection is unmatched.

I got one of the POS zero-gravity masks this year after several seasons of the "resin" mask (that people said would crack or get my nose broken, but which I never had a problem with). The zero mask is definitely the lightest mask I have ever seen, with great visibility. I have to keep my gear bag shut on windy days or it will blow away :) After I take a few "hits" with it, I'll let you know how I like it!

Hooray! We've started!

Like any other mask, including the old steel ones, hit just right, it will dent slightly.