$40-$70 Titanium Cage LSH

[SAump]

Originally Posted by Matt

I was an early convert to the HSM. I take it off anytime one would take off a conventional mask--always have, and always will. There never was a learning curve or "muscle memory."

Some of us began at the back of the line. Remember removing the mask with your left hand. Remember the drills. Remember holding the indicator in your left hand or standing in front of the mirror. How many times did your plate hat fall off? Muscle-memory is that point when you can leave all the drills behind and do it right every time, like throwing a baseball or riding a bicycle.

Originally Posted by Matt

Even you cannot be this obtuse. That strap secures in four points, of which two need to be unsnapped for removal. This helmet cannot be removed with one motion.

Also, to what danger are you referring? That sentence doesn't even make sense.

BTW, Im not trying to be obtuse here. The ease of taking off a HSM is what is obtuse to me. The strange idea that only the attributes of a HSM are suitable for catchers and umpires floors me. I can't get a HSM up and over my head without difficulty. Here is another helmet, unsnap the thing and remove. How much easier is that? Much easier.

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by SAump

I'd wear a football helmet if I thought I was in danger of falling.

Every umpire thinks about reducing the risk of injury. Standing behind the plate amounts to standing on a hilltop during a thunderstorm. One is taking a risk, however small the risk may be.

Someone stated that the risk from a concussion while wearing a mask or HSM is about even. There is no evidence one offers any better protection than the other. The main idea is to significantly reduce the risk of concussion by removing the danger.

I believe those who say it easy to take off a HSM once they pass the "muscle memory" stage. Why would they be opposed to wearing a chin strap? It applies the same muscle memory requirement w/out the danger imposed by that dangling throat guard. If I were hit that hard, I rather worry about the integrity of the frame than my state of well-being? BIWSTFAD!

SA, this post (and this whole subject) make no sense! I leave you to your fantasies - enjoy!

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

SA, this post (and this whole subject) make no sense! I leave you to your fantasies - enjoy!

At last, the voice of reason has spoken!

[SAump]

I understand your position about the chin strap. The original idea was safety. Worse things were said about the seatbelt. Wearing a seatbelt was once considered hoaky. The SUL, New View, and FX Shock have not matched promised expectations for providing great protection. All three are designed by product engineers. One was actually an innovative idea (SUL). But the other two were real hoakey.

Take a look at the future mask {similar baseball mask already used in Japan}.
http://www.hockeymonkey.com/itech-ho...ll-shield.html
Better pictures available through search engine.

The cantilever {upside down L} design alone offers more protection than a HSM. If the helmet is worn properly, it will absorb most of the blow and padding could still be inserted to protect the chin. All the advantages I mention above apply. Open face bars already exist. But wearing the helmet w/out the chin strap poses the same hazard we face today.