Wilson titanium mask

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Chris_Hickman

Now we are getting into the cut-throat area. If this was Under Armour or Oakley we would not have this problem. A UA shirt in Calif costs the same in NY. At $179 Rex is not making much $$$. To make a decent, fair profit... Umpattire @ $224 is a normal markup. I would not bash Gerry for their $199 price. They were the 1st to promote it. I know that Honigs is going to carry it. We shall see what they put it @. Chris

Both places are in Appleton, WI, though.

I think that a question sent to customer service isn't unreasonable. Davis's prices are pretty high. I'm still happy with the mask, but don't treat $199 as if it's a super-duper price when someone across town (who's much smaller a business) can sell it for $20 less. That said, I made my own decision and was happy to pay $199 for it.

[L.A. Umpire Guy]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Both places are in Appleton, WI, though.

I think that a question sent to customer service isn't unreasonable. Davis's prices are pretty high. I'm still happy with the mask, but don't treat $199 as if it's a super-duper price when someone across town (who's much smaller a business) can sell it for $20 less. That said, I made my own decision and was happy to pay $199 for it.

My son just asked me for money for gas. I gave him a $50 and told him next time I'll give him enough to fill it all the way up. Then he said, "Can I get another twenty for lunch?"

Twenty dollars is not what it used to be. So the $179 loss-leader price (very smart) at BTL is the way to go for everyone else. I wanted the thing so badly that I waited only a week and jumped when it appeared that Davis had the inside track. (I suspect that they were taking orders before they had it, because as soon as I ordered it, a notice appeared that the initial shipment was gone and the new one will come in a couple of days. In business school lingo, that means they weren't even stocking it yet.) Davis's $200.00 price tag was not bad, and I knew that if I waited long enough, I could get the mask for significantly less, and a bare cage for $100.00 or less and use doeskins and MLB harness that I already have. But that could take months and I wanted it ASAP.

You take one look at this thing and it's love. The kind of feeling that one would only admit to other umpires.

[etn_ump]

I must be getting old.

I can't believe you guys pay $200.00 for a mask, but to each his own.

And as far as lightweight goes, how light does a mask really need to be? I mean, think about it, if your neck can't support 1-2 pounds, you really need to work on your neck.

JMHO

[L.A. Umpire Guy]

Originally Posted by etn_ump

I must be getting old.

I can't believe you guys pay $200.00 for a mask, but to each his own.

And as far as lightweight goes, how light does a mask really need to be? I mean, think about it, if your neck can't support 1-2 pounds, you really need to work on your neck.

JMHO

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.

[L.A. Umpire Guy]

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.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by L.A. Umpire Guy

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.

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.

[L.A. Umpire Guy]

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?

[SJUMBA93]

Originally Posted by etn_ump

I must be getting old.

I can't believe you guys pay $200.00 for a mask, but to each his own.

And as far as lightweight goes, how light does a mask really need to be? I mean, think about it, if your neck can't support 1-2 pounds, you really need to work on your neck.

JMHO

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.........