WV Masks

[LLPA13UmpDan]

I was curious, was doing a search on google and this came up...what ever happened to the masks like this, the difference on the sides...

[LLPA13UmpDan]

I like the old style too. Ive seen them used by a lot of minor league umpires over the years.



I saw a blue/tan one on ebay a few weeks ago

[SanDiegoSteve]

This is the mask I own. Mine is navy with grey doeskin.

[mrm21711]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

This is the mask I own. Mine is navy with grey doeskin.

Did anybody like the Amara Suede pads? I bought a pair and sent them back, I found them uncomfortable and felt they would be really hot in the summer.

[Hock9]

I see some of the ML guys are using the allstar I-bar, double-bar style. Many (most?) of them who use it, though, have substituted Wilson pads (Marsh, McLelland, maybe others?), so my guess is maybe the original pads aren't that great. Any experiences with this mask?

[mrm21711]

Originally Posted by Hock9

I see some of the ML guys are using the allstar I-bar, double-bar style. Many (most?) of them who use it, though, have substituted Wilson pads (Marsh, McLelland, maybe others?), so my guess is maybe the original pads aren't that great. Any experiences with this mask?

Yes:

1) The "Bra Style Harness" is the dumbest thing ever invented for masks. Buy a Honig's harness or put an old one on there.

2) The pads are extremely "slick," They are coated with Aegis, which to the best of my knowledge is an anti bacterial coating. They might take some getting used to, but I replaced them with Honig's Doeskin pads. If you can still find Wilson pads at some retailers....good for you.

The frame itself is very very good, in my opinion.

[bossman72]

I think i remember someone on these boards saying that Wilson is going to stop making those types of conventional style masks and will make hockey-style masks exclusively.

Does anyone else remember this, or am i just crazy?

[Tim C]

That is not what I said:

After talking to all the mask retail distributors they all had the same exact story:

Wilson has told them that Wilson will not eventually sell harnesses and pads.

The reason is that Wilson feels that masks need to be replaced (i.e planned obsolences) after 100 plate games (which is stupid, marketing only).

What Wilson said to me was:

"Because all catchers in America are required now to wear HSM (hockey styled masks) there will be a time soon when that style mask is the only style available."

Joe West told me personally (in an e-mail that I posted) "masks will still be available for the future."

Make your choice boys.

Regards,