Hockey Style masks or Traditional??

[JRutledge]

Nick,

I think you have waaaaayyyyy too much invested in this discussion. I have worn a mask and I have taken foul balls off the mask and the mask spun around and I hardly felt a thing. I am sure the type of mask pad and weight of the mask might have some effect on whether you "feel" the blow of the baseball. Who cares in the end? All this is anyway is an opinion. It means little to me or anyone else that uses any equipment. If you like the helmet so much than use the damn helmet. I will not use a helmet and I do not like the overall feel and look of the helmets. Now those are facts from my experience and that is why many umpires have not made the switch. How many times is this issue going to be debated as if we are talking about global warming?

Peace

[BlueLawyer]

A lot of emotion seems to be tied up in this debate.

I wear a mask. I wore a helmet once for one game and disliked it. It had better vision, but not much else appealed to me. It was harder to get on and off and I didn't see myself, but I know I looked like a bobblehead. I know that because my partners who wear them look like bobbleheads. My association seems to think that how an umpire looks is important, and I think the mask looks more professional. My opinion.

Yes, I am sacrificing safety for fashion. I have taken several shots in the mask over the years and so far, I seem to be ok.

Wear a mask if you want. Wear a helmet if you want. Can't we all just get along?

Strikes and outs!