Hockey Style masks or Traditional??

[JRutledge]

Or you can look at the very bottom of this page and you can see more conversations about this very subject.

Peace

[nickrego]

Here is an in-depth explanation of my experience with a Hockey Style Helmet.

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

Mask vs. Helmet, gets about as heated as MAC vs. Windows.

Best thing is to try both.

When I say try both, I mean do an entire game with each. And, if it doesn't happen during the games, get someone to hit you square on the nose with a fastball wearing each. Mask: Ouch, what's that ringing in my ears ? What are those stars doing out in the middle of the day ? Helmet: Did a mosquito just land on me ?

BE YOUR OWN JUDGE !

[RPatrino]

I guess this boils down to the "increased protection" vs. "comfort" debate. To me it is just personal preference.

Bob P.

[JIGGY]

I have worn both. The hockey mask provides a greater field of vision and disperses impact better. The traditional mask, because of how it is worn, transfers the impact to the forehead and more so the chin (jaw). If you take a serious direct hit, this can leave you with problems with your jaw, ears, and sinuses.

[nickrego]

Originally Posted by RPatrino

I guess this boils down to the "increased protection" vs. "comfort" debate. To me it is just personal preference.

Bob P.

There is no debate here, at least not that I have read.

No one denies the increased protection.

As for comfort, helmet feels lighter on your head, no weight hanging off the front of your face, easier to remove, much cooler than a wool cap, able to speak clearly (no pressure on your chin), etc.

The big debate is usually Traditional Look vs. Robo Ump look. I think this debate is debunk at this point, because the "look" has been excepted at all upper levels from College to MLB.

And, I have never had a coach, player, or colleague, comment negatively about me or my umpiring with regard to my helmet. Either you suck, or you don't. (left myself open for you flamers) If you don't suck, nobody even sees, or cares, what equipment you use.

[briancurtin]

Originally Posted by nickrego

There is no debate here, at least not that I have read.

No one denies the increased protection.

im not denying the increased protection, its definitely there, but not all of us need protection on the top, back, and sides of our head

the mask will do just fine for me, and i have no problems with it. when properly adjusted and used with proper head techniques (ie. not moving), an umpire wearing a regular mask will be just fine.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Well briancurtain, you are a young buck on the way up, and you only need protection in the front.

Some of us work lower levels, or have taken an intentional move down in level, as in my case. The other day I had a ball ricochet off of a close backstop and nail me in the back of the head. I was very glad to have been wearing a helmet.

And even if you don't need protection on the top, back, and sides, there is a definite increase in protection to the face as well. Shots do not ring any bells as they do with the best of conventional masks. They feel like a gnat flew up against your mask.

[Tim C]

"The traditional mask, because of how it is worn, transfers the impact to the forehead and more so the chin (jaw)."

This is not a true statement if you wear your traditional mask correctly.