Wilson titanium mask
 

Been waiting for these to come out...Gerry Davis is selling them for $199 till September, when they "expect" that they'll go to $249.

http://www.gerrydavis.com/Merchant2/...001/PR126T.jpg

I'm a sucker. I bought one. I love the view of the "New View" but found it a bit top heavy. This should fix that issue. I also sold my barely used New View within a few minutes for $40 or so.

i like the look of the grey, but not with two-tone pads (minor issue, i have all black pads i could use), and definitely not in "new view" style.

Is this a "low-profile" mask ? The type that has reportedly increased concussions among pro umpires ?

Davis is unloading the New View masks for $60 now, a whopping $30 off, probably as a result of many complaints/concussions.

I felt like the amara suede wrap around pads on a Dyna-Lite I bought at the beginning of the season added unnecessary weight to the mask. I hate the wrap around pads!

Try a black Sharpie.

Bought one also and sold my New View last weekend for $65.00

From the Davis website:

"The Wilson Titanium mask is built with the same low-profile design as the Wilson New View mask, but the Titanium is significantly lighter."

maybe catchers should be catching the freaking ball so we dont have to worry about it.

yeah, that will happen.

Good luck with that.

The wraparound pads are what absorb the impact when a mask like the New View gets slammed by a ball. I went to these pads this year on my New View mask and the very first day I put them on, I got beaned by a fastball that the catcher never touched. It went straight from the pitcher to my lower left side of the mask. What a bang that was! My pads absorbed the impact, which was still strong.

I just have this to say about the new Wilson Titanium Mask: 200 frackin' dollars for a standard style, non-HSM mask?!? Good Lord! That's ridiculous!

I fixed your post.:D

Davis is selling them new for $60.

I sold mine for $40. So it's only $160 for me for the new mask, which arrived yesterday. Immediately put my +POS harness on it, as I always do with any mask that is my "primary" mask (I carry a backup with me).

--Rich

So what did you think?

Considerably lighter. I always felt the mask was front heavy. Not this one. Just worn it around the house, though, as it arrived yesterday and not in time to use it last night (change harnesses, etc.). I'll use it tomorrow and report back.

Got mine today too. Very light. The flatness looks odd.

How much? I'm interested in a second set. Eventually, I'll want to replace these and it would be nice to have them in hand.

I just got one ...
 

And I am floored by how light and comfortable it is. I had to look at it on my face in the mirror to make sure it's a full-size mask, because it feels so light and small in your hand.

And yes, I'll buy your pads. How do we do that? (This is also my first post.)

Another thing: I can see where my shoulder will be less tired or sore after ripping this featherlight titanium off a few dozen times a game instead of that chrome/moliben clunker (it seemed light a couple of years ago). I never really thought of that benefit until now.

Go to Private Messages at the top of the page and click on it. Then send Chris a private message and exchange information.

Or just click on Chris's user name and "send a private message" will pop up. Click on that and away you go.

Thank you!

Too late. I've already paid Chris, unless he has more than one set.

I paid him using my phone from the ballpark right before working a plate. Technology, gotta love it.

I am quite disappointed that I will now not be in a bidding war for a pair of two-tone pads I don't even need yet. ;)

Yeah, really. But I like the mask so much I know I'll still be using it when I need the new pads. Better now than trying to find them then.

No, I'm with you; they're beautiful pads and I forsee trouble getting the right ones when the time comes. Meanwhile, I am going to have an old-fashioned gas pulling this beauty on at 10:00 tomorow morning to start a twin-bill.

It really is different--even than other lightweights.

I took a hard shot the other night with this mask. It did not swing off the way more traditional masks do: given its low profile, it just sort of absorbed the blow.

The mask was fine. Some dye from the baseball came off on the mask, which I rubbed off with my finger.

Since the mask didn't fly off, I absorbed more energy from the collision than I'm used to. But I felt fine after the shot.

Chris, I'll buy them (and your PM mailbox is full...).

Someone had asked me: does anyone else besides Gerry Davis Sports sell these?

I got mine there and I haven't yet found it elsewhere. I couldn't wait; it was beautiful.

(Incomparably comfortable)

I am not 1000 percent thrilled with my face, but it's easily worth two bills to protect it.

I also noticed Tom Hallion switched out the pads for the slightly fatter doeskin wrap-arounds like Chris did. That looks pretty cool, too.

And does Gerry Davis's web store have a bad rep or something.

I foud them to be a little slow, and the prices are hardly a bargain, but they seem like one of the better sites.

I've never had a problem with their web site or ordering. I've used them from the first day they began selling stuff and have been happy since. I ordered my titanium and now will await its arrival. I have the bigger black Amara suede wraparounds on my current New View mask, so I might switch those to this mask. We'll see.

I would only switch if it's to the doeskins. You'll love how soft these pads are that the mask comes with.

I got an 85 m.p.h. straight shot between the eyes in this thing, and the pads absorbed a hell of a lot of the shock. But the blow did seem less severe because of the lighter weight of the mask. Titanium and doeskin is a very light combination, compared to the chrome molly with the black leather.

Man, I love this mask. It really is worth an extra buck to protect the face, but there are other benefits. It's less stressful on the neck for the thousands of times you are simply wearing it and not taking any shots; and it causes less wear and tear on your elbow and shoulder taking it off during the action.

Once you get past the pewter-colored bars, it's also a great-looking mask.

Interesting that Between the Lines has the new mask at $179.00:

http://www.btlofficialsgear.com/deta...&category=1375

I have ordered from Davis in the past and found that service is good, but pricing is on the high side.

I sent an email to customer service at Davis. Just want to see what kind of spin they put on it.

I'm happy with the mask, super happy. But saying that $199 is a special price is obviously nonsense based on BTL's price.

Ump-attire.com has started carrying it, too, but they're not giving it away like BTL ($224 to $179).

That means that by buying it from Davis, I spent $20 extra to have it for this past Sunday's game. I'm glad I took a shot. That may have made it worth the extra 20.

BTL's not making much on this thing if they're selling it for that price. But good for them in trying to get it out there.

Rex sets his prices fairly. I am a huge fan of Honig's shirts and pants or I'd give Rex more business. I did buy a pair of shoes from him a few seasons ago.

Who knows, it's possible he doesn't have a huge number of them and is doing this to show he's cheaper than Davis. They're both in Appleton and I'm sure there's some competition there. Not sure if there's any personal history between the two, though.

Visor
 

Does anyone use sun shield visor on this mask?Thanks.

I like his site very much, and his printed catalog is one of the best. He also seems like he truly loves it, which makes a huge difference. But the same goes for Jim Kirk and a couple of others. And then there's the Honig's quality and service benefits that you pay a premium to enjoy.

I guess the key is that if you're looking for a particular piece, you go to the site with the best price, if you can wait; and you go to the one with the best service and availability if you can't.

I really wanted that mask the minute it became available. I have been watching our two local catchers--Russ Martin & Mike Napoli--wearing their sleek-looking titanium masks for a couple of years now, and I always wanted to wait for it to be available by Wilson, rather than buy one of the other featherweights, (or ANYTHING that says "Nike" or has that infernal swoosh). After the Wilson finally became available, I looked for it for a week or so on all of the other sites, and because Davis had it for a few bucks off, I jumped.

I also got the umpire model Shock FX for $200 from a site that I used to go to for bats:

http://www.hq4sports.com/wilson-umpi...-a5590bla.html

Others have it for about that, too. Wait until you put that thing on. The comfort and visibility are unreal.

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 sun shield is called a "hat." Sunglasses on a really bad sun day. YMMV.

(Answer: No. I had a sunshield once and it kept the sun off my hat. I have it in a box somewhere.)

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 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. ;)

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).

If you get hit square on, it really doesn't matter how loose your straps are. You're going to absorb a lot of the blow. You, the frame, and the padding.

Is this the low profile design, or the more rounded one? Up near the forehead it probably doesn't make much difference, but I'm just curious.

Be careful with a brain injury. I took a full month off from dish duty with my last concussion, and that may have been too soon.

I added a Diamond Featherweight FMD Silver to my equipment list before Fall Ball, to join with the the Honigs K91's I have. Diamond is lighter and I have been pleased with it, although I have not taken any really good shots yet. The K91's though, have proven themselves many times.

You'll want to swap the wimpy pads out of that Diamond. Trust me, and my hurting jaw. They're less than worthless.

Why does Diamond have such horrible pads? They would make serious inroads with that mask if the pads weren't so awful.

I know several guys who did what you said and swapped them out for Wilson wrap-arounds. (The coolest look is the all-black leather pads with the silver mask.)

But the Wilson titanium is going for as low as $170 new these days, and they're starting to pop up on ebay used for much less. I would rather have a Wilson to start with, but that Diamond/Wilson hybrid is a great alternative.

I think it was just to save weight, for bragging rights.

Would these be the black pads that I could use for the Titanium?

Amara Wrap-Around Pads: Gerry Davis Sports

Those will work. I have the same ones but they're leather instead of the amara suede.

I have leather and Amara, and much prefer the leather. Amara is okay if you're cleanly shaven, and don't have a five o'clock shadow.

Lesters Upstate Sports :: Baseball & Softball :: Masks & Mask Accessories :: Wilson A3815 leather wrap-around replacement pads NOW IN BLACK

great...thanks for posting the link...I'd prefer leather for sure...

I work with a guy who swapped out the Diamonds with these:
http://www.gerrydavis.com/Merchant2/...001/ac4163.jpg
New View Pads: Gerry Davis Sports

They look great on the silver Diamond.

Also, this is a great ebay buyer to get the mask from ($59): Diamond Ultra-Lite Low Profile Mask - Best Seller! - eBay (item 330319111651 end time Oct-28-09 17:35:16 PDT)

Anyone know where I could find a pair of the Wilson traditional replacement mask pads? I have the Wilson Titanium mask and have noticed several MLB umpires replacing the factory wrap-around style pads with a traditional style set of Wilson tan pads in the non wrap-around. I would prefer the traditional style, but can't find them anywhere in the tan color.

In fact, in last night's game 3 of the NLCS, Sam Holbrook was wearing the very style mentioned. See picture of Sam Holbrook (click here).

Gerry Davis offers them in black (Amara Traditional Pads: Gerry Davis Sports).

Anyone know where I could find them in the tan?

Kevin Finnerty replied to your thread you started in this forum about this and I replied in the other forum where you posted it. You migh also try calling Wilson.