New Mask

[MajorDave]

that this has been discussed here before. I know it has on umpire.org.

The strap wear and pad placement on the mask is key to avoiding injury (so long as the mask bars hold up). I wear the side straps on my masks around the outer ear protector bar. It makes the mask easy to pull off and when in my stance awaiting a pitch the mask rests loosely on my chin. When hit the mask spins left or right and sometimes right off of my head. It never hurts and rarely even stuns me. A lot of ooohs, aaahs and "you okay blue?" from various onlookers. Never so much as a bruise, sore anything or headache in last three years. I have been hit dozens of times in mask at various levels of baseball from NCAA D-1 on down to 13 yo level in both the standard style pads in doeskin and the newer Wilson wraparound style pads in leather, amara suede and vinyl/leather. My two cents. If a mask ever bends, I will not use it anymore.

[mrm21711]

Originally Posted by MajorDave

that this has been discussed here before. I know it has on umpire.org.

The strap wear and pad placement on the mask is key to avoiding injury (so long as the mask bars hold up). I wear the side straps on my masks around the outer ear protector bar. It makes the mask easy to pull off and when in my stance awaiting a pitch the mask rests loosely on my chin. When hit the mask spins left or right and sometimes right off of my head. It never hurts and rarely even stuns me. A lot of ooohs, aaahs and "you okay blue?" from various onlookers. Never so much as a bruise, sore anything or headache in last three years. I have been hit dozens of times in mask at various levels of baseball from NCAA D-1 on down to 13 yo level in both the standard style pads in doeskin and the newer Wilson wraparound style pads in leather, amara suede and vinyl/leather. My two cents. If a mask ever bends, I will not use it anymore.

I bought a new Dyna Lite with the wrap around amara suede pads and cant get used to it. The mask feels really heavy and I dont really like the padding. Maybe I just need a switch of the pads.

[txumper]

I personaly use the Honigs PMLE double-bar mask with the doeskin mask. When it's on I can barely tell its there. Light as all get out and durable. I have had it for 4 years, and work high school and college ball with that mask, taken at least 5 shots off it each season and not even a dent. The usuall marks from the writting on the balls but other than that nothing wrong with it.

[BlueTick48]

I too am a mask junkie.I started out with a Davis F-W(very light),then Wilson New View (like it,but a lil heavy).Then a D1 ump turned me on to a Japan Mizuno Mask.....unreal view and lightest ever.If you can find one it'd be worth the time and money to invest in one

[SanDiegoSteve]

Could someone please point out the difference between a "mask whore" and a "mask junkie?" Is one a compulsion and the other an addiction?

[greymule]

+POS used to advertise their SUL as "extremely strong." In fact, the SUL was the flimsiest mask I ever owned. My +POS resin mask still looks brand new after much use. But I use a helmet now and will certainly never go back.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by greymule

+POS used to advertise their SUL as "extremely strong." In fact, the SUL was the flimsiest mask I ever owned.

Well, it made it to the "extremely light" podium anyway.............


Tim.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Could someone please point out the difference between a "mask whore" and a "mask junkie?" Is one a compulsion and the other an addiction?

A whore does it for the money.

[etn_ump]

Originally Posted by mrm21711

I bought a new Dyna Lite with the wrap around amara suede pads and cant get used to it. The mask feels really heavy and I dont really like the padding. Maybe I just need a switch of the pads.

I always shake my head when I read posts like this regarding ANY mask being too heavy.

All modern masks are light, some lighter than others, but light nontheless.

If your neck can't hold up any modern mask for 1 or 2 games per day, work on your neck.

[greymule]

I always shake my head when I read posts like this regarding ANY mask being too heavy.

In the 1950s, the mask we used on the sandlot had belonged to one of the kids' dads. So it must have been from the 1930s or 1940s. The frame was made of heavy, thick wire, which extended in all directions well beyond the one large pad that fit all around the face. This mask must have weighed 6 pounds, maybe more. I think a sledge hammer would have been required to dent it.

The mitt was a thick round pad, flat with a ball-sized indention in the center for the "pocket." It was also quite heavy. You didn't open and close this mitt. You clapped your right hand over the ball when it hit.

[Emperor Ump]

Originally Posted by greymule

The mitt was a thick round pad, flat with a ball-sized indention in the center for the "pocket." It was also quite heavy. You didn't open and close this mitt. You clapped your right hand over the ball when it hit.

Thank goodness for Johnny Bench and the hinged catchers mit.