My skull, neck, face, eyes and brain are each worth a considerable amount to my family and me. None of us can afford to have any of those things damaged any more than they need to be in order that Dad here can go out all the time and watch these ballgames.

I piss away thousands of dollars each year on insurance that I never, ever use. This is a couple hundred (and the Shock FX is $200 more) for insurance that I have already used. I took a shot in the sixth inning of my first game wearing it. And I'll probably take a top of the head shot the first time I use the helmet in one of those bandbox cages they have at a lot of the LA city schools.

And the price of comfort is also considerable. These new masks and helmets are so lightweight and comfortable, it's almost indescribable.

Another viewpoint ...
 

I bought my son the i phone for his 18th birthday. My stepmother was aghast, because she's astoundingly stingy, and feels that everyone she knows should do without a lot of cool things like my dad does.

I told her that the very first time my son drove 45 miles from home to play a ballgame, he consulted Google Maps in order to avoid making a wrong turn in a tricky and hazardous area (of which there are many in L.A.). Good Lord, just that was worth a ton. When you have an 18-year-old traversing the L.A. freeways at night, and you know that he has a device that will keep him from being lost or out of touch, that's insurance that you can actually use, and insurance that's worth way more than the $399 we paid fot the damned thing. That's how I look at the value of certain things.

Even my intractable stepmother caved after that argument.

Agreed, my $70 Diamond DFM-UMP is incrediably light and has served me well for two seasons. Having said that, I am intrigued with this mask. Must be the novelty factor.........;)

You don't have to justify spending money you earn however you want. Some people umpire to see how much they can squeeze out of the bottom line. Others, like me, look at it as a hobby that happens to pay a few bucks, so it doesn't bother me to invest in top quality gear.

I truly gain much of the joy from playing, coaching and umpiring simply from acquiring, collecting and caring for my gear. I even invent stuff to make coaching or umpiring better. And I also love giving the gear I rotate out to others who can use it.

But when there's something in a mask or some shoes that is magnificent, cost just doesn't get in the way. I put those New Balance plate shoes on and I didn't care how much they were. Same with the titanium and Shock FX.

It is most like a hobby than anything. And it is a wonderful one. Good Lord, I just went to Malibu High on Sunday and called a twin-bill with a view of Zuma Beach and the Pacific beyond right field. It was 70 degrees and breezy, and I got to watch two ballgames from the best seat in the house. And when I get there, they pay for my gas and Sunday dinner for the family. Between innings on the bases, I stroll out to right field and just take in the ocean view.

What the hell else did I have going on? And what other hobby or avocation is more physically and mentally stimulating?

I believe Rex used to be an operations person with Davis before starting BTL a few years ago.

I totally agree that Davis' prices are ridiculous in most areas. For example - the MLU Gray Wilson shin guards are $79.90 there...higher that most places. And Davis' shipping costs are no bargain either.

I have bought a few items (a Wilson Dyna-Lite mask this spring, a pair of the A3409 Wilson black shin guards 2 years ago) from a small retailer named CAT Sports in Indiana. Much lower prices ($10-15 lower on the mask, $15-25 lower on the shin guards) than other places. Shipping was great - got the order in two days. IMO, there are very few reasons for me to shop at Davis. Their prices are normally MUCH higher than others.

The one thing that's worth the price at Davis--outside the peculiarity of the new mask situation--is the plate slacks, which fit perfectly. They're sized right to begin with, but have these little waist-expanders at the beltline. Four bucks more for slacks that fit. Too many brands are sized inaccurately (why?), so these slacks have been a nice find in the charcoal shade. And charcoal grey is approved for 2009 in FED baseball.

The other sites are the places to go for just about anything else. Honig's is also a high-priced place. They're great for slacks too, though.

I agree, but they cost $103.00 once they're shipped and hemmed. That's nearly twice as much as the others.

Honig's are definitely the best. They'd better be.

A light mask is really, really nice. I got the Schutt when it first came out, and my WV and Honig's have sat in my spare gear bag ever since. Night and day boys.

Has anybody had any durability issues/problems with the Diamond/Schutt mask frame?

Two seasons with the Diamond DFM-UMP with no problems.

It's held up fine, and taken some good shots. I mounted a sun visor it in, and a throat protector on the inside rung.

I don't like the flat shape, as I feel it probably absorbs more shots than deflects them. Plus, I'm going to trade out the wimpy pads for some leather ones. The pads are too thin to protect properly, IMO.

Did I mention it's really, really light?

After a few shots, the coating on my Schutt mask bars is starting to crack.

My new titanium made it to Ohio and I've enjoyed using it so far. Very light weight and provides an excellent view.

Oh, and Gerry Davis sells it for 80 bones. I was just watching Darryl Cousins wearing it.

http://www.gerrydavis.com/Merchant2/...1/pr1260-s.jpg

Foul tip Concussion
 

I recently bought the Wilson Titanium Mask, and I was very satisfied with the look and feel of it (it's incredibly light). Also the mask is very easy to get off with the elastic band. However, I don't know if I should blame the mask or just the luck of the draw, but I had my first concussion umpiring with this mask on. A foul tip hit me in the forehead (90+ mph) and I was dazed after the hit for a good 10 seconds. I had previously loosened the mask the night before, but it still didn't absorb the hit to avoid me being concussed. There isn't a single mark on the mask though, but I am going to try to loosen the mask more so that hopefully the mask will absorb the hit and come up my face. All in all I really like the look of the mask, and I don't think any mask is concussion proof, I just took a hit right in the worst spot to be hit (the forehead).