While I have you all on the line. I am looking to upgrade my mask, any recommendations??? Don't want to spend a fortune, (no $$).
I am a school teacher in Wyoming you know. : )

WEST VEST
 

Get a West Vest.

Best on the market

Stay away from the composits.Have heard some horror stories.

Honig's has got a nice ultra light single bar.

rex

Composite masks are great
 

I have to disagree, Rexie (grin). The +POS composite mask did have a voluntary recall a number of years ago, but I'm working my fifth year with the mask and still love it as much as I did the day I bought it. It is the lightest mask I've ever held, and I have yet to have my "bell rung" with it on.

Finally, I'm working my first Massachusetts game (high school varsity) tomorrow. I snuck onto the field and worked three man twice while visiting Seattle last week, but that doesn't really count.

Am I the last person to get my season started?

Rich
--------------------
Rich Fronheiser
Natick, MA



[Edited by Rich Fronheiser on Apr 7th, 2001 at 07:14 AM]

If you don't want a composite mask....
 

By composite (resin), we mean the masks that feel like they are made from plastic....

The WestVest mask is fairly inexpensive, lightweight, and affords outstanding vision. If I ever need a replacement, I will consider this one.

Rich
------------------
Rich Fronheiser
Natick, MA

[Edited by Rich Fronheiser on Apr 7th, 2001 at 07:15 AM]

I'm gone. thanks Rich

No you're not the last to get season going. Heck man we haven't even started serious practice here. thinks for the tips guys.

OK
 

I have TWO West Vest Masks

Navy and Black for SALE

T

What do you mean, you're gone?
 

I don't get it.

Was it the Rexie part? Did I or did I not put a grin at the end of it?

It certainly can't be that I disagreed with your choice of a mask....

Sheesh.

Rich

I have a wilson single bar mask with the amara padding. It is almost exactly like the west vest, but about 12 -15 dollars chaeper. I love it. If you took the logo off the WV and put it on this mask you would not be able to tell the difference.

For Tee:
 

Tee: How much for the masks?

Composite Mask
 

don't know what to say. I bought the first year they came out and wouldn't return when recalled. I loved it and have used it since.

However, last year I took a foul ball off the thin section of the ear wing-----cracking it. A little super glue and tape and back to new.

Now, this spring I take foul tip into mouth area. Cracks three (3) single bars (thin ones, check it out Rich). It didn't damage bigger bars up near eyes. Out with the super and tape. Still using------but also looking.

BTW, the West Vest pads fit the composite well..........................so , how much for the West Vest masks, Tee.

Maybe the new ones are better than those that were recalled. I sure know I have taken some heavy hits on that mask. I guess that's obvious.

Bfair

Cracked mask?
 

I know which bars you mean, Steve.

I don't know if I would work with a broken mask. That is why I'm debating ordering one of the WV masks and breaking it in. I gave away my old Rawlings mask a few years ago and I'd like to have a spare.

I wouldn't work with a taped mask. The structural integrity may be damaged and you could get hurt if the thing gets hit in the right way.

WV masks sell for $69.90 at Gerry Davis Sports these days.

I'm going to order on Monday.

Rich

Re: Composite Mask
 

Uh, there WAS a valid reason for the recall. The "second generation" composites don't crack and have been used successfully for the past few years by many umpires without any problems. :confused:

I'd be inclined to get rid of it and purchase a new one. :D

I never returned mine, either
 

There was a bigger problem with the first generation +POS masks.

There were reports of foul balls getting through the bars, although +POS couldn't duplicate the problems in their labs. This is just a third party report of something I read, so if someone has a definitive report, I'd like to hear it.

I never replaced mine (the deadline passed and I'm guessing that +POS wouldn't honor the replacement now anyway), and I've never had any problems with it. One thing that does happen is that a good foul ball will push the mask off my head. Unlike the old heavy masks, though, you don't get your bell rung.

Rich