Hockey Style masks or Traditional??

[PanamaCityBrian]

I figured I would ask my question first and make sure my punctuation is at the level required for this forum.

Ok I am trying to find out if there are any major differences in the two styles of masks? I understand the design but I am not sure if it is preference or what..??? Sorry if this seems like a dumb question but I have just been trying to make sure that there isn't something I am missing.

Thanx for the input

Brian

[UmpJM]

Brian,

For an unbelievably "in depth" discussion of the question you pose, check the thread at the following link: Helmet v Mask

JM

[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.

[JIGGY]

Originally Posted by 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.

Yeah? Would you like to explain how you think this not the case? It is a proven fact that umpires hit while wearing the helmet vs. traditional mask sustain fewer and or less severe concussions and compression injuries. This is so much true that PBUC now reccomends the helmet.

[Tim C]

First of all FS let me talk to wearing the mask correctly.

IF the mask hanges from your face and is not too tight, the engineerning is for the mask to spin or fly off at contact.

I wouldn't expect you to understand that.

I have worn a mask for decades and when worn correctly all energy is displaced before hitting your face (jaw) . . . I don't expect you to understand that.

My point, for those that do understand, is if worn correctly there is little to no energy displaced to your face (jaw).

Of course this is just my opinion (and that of EVERY mask engineer) . . . but Jiggy you know everything.

Regards,

PS:

Please give me documented proof of your statement that HSM umpires recieve less injuires.

I'm waiting.

[UMP25]

Guys, Tim is correct when he describes the mask flying off or spinning off.

I've been hit with some pretty damn hard foul balls as well as direct pitches. Sometimes the balls have hit me straight on, sometimes they've hit the side/top/bottom of the mask. In each situation, I "felt" the hit, but not in a negative or painful manner.

I use the GD new view mask and love it and have had no problems with it when it has been hit hard.

[briancurtin]

Originally Posted by 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.

i definitely agree. this man speaks the truth.

[DG]

I had an inside fastball hit be directly in my mask last year and it jumped off my head and landed at my feet. By the time it landed I was asking the catcher "is that the best you can do?".