I understood that. What does the M stand for again? :)

Should I use the word Helmet instead? If you have too tight a helmet, you're going to feel ALL of the energy of an impact. It shouldn't be loose, but it shouldn't be tight either.

My error. I always think of them as masks and helmets. Maybe it should be HSH.

enough said about that one...

While a mask will spin off on some hits, it won't on all of them. If you take a ball straight on, HSM or traditional mask, you are going to feel it. I think that is what Rich was saying, that it was a straight on shot.

My mask spins off on hard straight-on shots. Worn properly, e.g. loose enough, even straight on shots will cause it to come off.

With all due respect, if your mask spun off, it wasn't a straight on hit.

:cool:

Tee since you are working on the article I would be interested in the following as well.

1. The evolution of the "slot" stance. If you look back at old films the umpires were stationed right behind F2 not to the "left of" or "right of" F2

In other words is there more risk of injury by an umpire who uses the "slot" compared to years ago when the umpire was right in back of F2? In the slot we have more risk of taking a straight on shot then if we were behind F2.
Also in calling balls and strikes is it really that drastic of a difference from the "old" school (stationed behind F2) to the new school.

2. The balloon vs. inside chest protector. Today we tend to make fun of any PU using the ballon but my question does the balloon offer more protection than the inside protector?

Thanks

Pete Booth

With all due respect, when the mask is loose enough a straight on shot will cause it to "bounce" off. I have never had my mask stay in after a hard shot, no matter the location of the shot.

Yes, exactly. Bounce off and spin off are completely different in this context. When the mask spins off, the mask is deflecting the majority of the force from your face. The energy isn't absorbed, it is transferred into the spinning motion, which is desirable, since that means it isn't going to your face.

A straight on shot though, will bounce the mask off your face, meaning the force transferred to the pads of the mask which then rebounds. In this case, the pads and subsequently the head absorbs the impact. Not a desirable outcome no matter what mask you choose to use, and one that cannot be avoided on those "dead on straight shots". :(

I've taken my share of shots to the mask in 15 years of umpiring and have not suffered any illl effects. I have had a +POS lightweight for many years and have full confidence in it. The thing I never got used to was the sudden surprise when you get hit. Here you are concentrating on the pitch like you have been doing all day, watching it into the catcher's glove, the flash of a bat and....
KABOOM!!
Love this game.

Last Fall, as I was acquiring gear in anticipation of umpiring the first game of my life, I had to decide whether to get a traditional mask or an HSM. I chose the HSM (Easton Stealth, if anyone's interested) for two primary reasons:

1. Some of the games I would be working would be played on fields with those God-awful "half dome" backstops and I didn't want to get hit by a rebound on the top or back of my head.

2. I saw the video clip last year of the umpire wearing a mask getting whacked up side the head by the batter's bat on his follow through and wasn't interested in having that experience.

3. I wanted to "feel" well protected because I thought it would help me combat "flinching" my head.

Oops, that's three.

So far, I've worked a grand total of 48 games - everything from 12U-14U Travel to HS Frosh/Soph to Colt & Sr. Colt to MSBL. I've taken a number of good shots off foul balls to the helmet, both direct to the "mask" part (like right between the eyes) as well as more "glancing" shots off the helmet part. So far, I haven't had even a hint of a headache from these shots, nor have I experienced any "ringing in the ears". A couple of shots were kind of loud, but nothing very extreme. I've read a couple of comments on this board about the HSM being uncomfortable on hot days, but I haven't noticed that yet.

So far, to me, the biggest drawback is that it's kind of "clumsy" to handle when dealing with lineup cards (or maybe I'm just clumsy).

Now, I'm shopping for a "traditional mask" - not because I'm displeased with the HSM, but because I want to try it. I'll continue to wear the HSM on the half dome backstop fields.

JM

Exactly what I've found. Everytime I've been hit my mask always spins to the side somewhat.

Thanks
David

I tracked an inside fastball right to the front of my mask two years ago, catcher didn't get a glove on it. It jumped off the front of my head and landed at my feat. It was a direct shot. Most of the time the shots are not that direct and it spins off.

I had asked this question eairler but it fits in here. I tried an HSM about a month ago for all the obiovous reasons SAFETY. Well I didn't like it as it was way to loud calling pitches as I have a big mouth. But I did feel safe with it more than with my Honigs mask. On one game I used a catchers helmet without the brim on it as I was working a low backstop game. I must say that with that combo I felt just as safe as with the HSM. The only problem was I didn't have the proper look....... And just last week I took a good 80mph foul tip straight in the face my mask turned and I was a little stunned and my jaw felt funny for a bit but no headace. How do you guys feel about using the catchers helmet???? I'm telling you it works great

Ditto. I've always hated that, but I realize it's a good thing that my mask gives rather than being too snug on my head.