+POS mask
 

I have seen on some baseball forums that the +POS Polymer Carbon Fiber Mask (SUL-200) was considered "dangerous". Anyone care to elaborate? Would it be OK to use it for fast pitch softball?

Comments?

They had problems with their first generation masks shattering. They reportedly solved this, but the problems created by the first wave of problems led to the demise of the company.

Steel I trust; plastic .... well.

knock on wood, i've been blasted a few times with mine and it's still ticking...

to answer your question...I would totally use it for softball...heck, aren't there people who don't even wear CP's when working softball?

please tell me that your joking, if you really believe that a fastpitch softball does'nt hurt you, my friend are clueless. i, also would not trust a carbon-fibre mask for any level of either baseball or softball.

steve

I'm pretty sure the SUL 200 will hold up to softballs, but why would you want this mask? The new Diamond, Shutt, Pro9 is just a light, and gives you a far superior look at the ball.

Heck, Champro is selling the same frame for under fiddy clams.

http://www.discountumpiregear.com/in...roducts_id=263

There's no reason, other than a collectors item, to buy the SUL. None.

Keeps on ticking
 

That was exactly the knock on the new SUL 100.
Supposedly, it was weakened by daily high/cold automobile "trunk" temperatures.
The mask retained its shape with no visible sign of damage after being repeatedly blasted.
At some point, the threshold of the mask buckled and an umpire's face absorbed part of the blow.
Word spread after several umpires suffered facial injuries.

Oh, brother.

I would not wear it for softball or baseball. If I would not wear something in a baseball game, I'm not going to use it in a softball game. And just because some old-timers don't wear a CP for fastpitch doesn't make it a good idea.

Facts...yes the Plus Pos mask is/was light. When introduced this was the selling point. In fact it was the ONLY selling point as the view was not nearly as good due to the large size of the bars. Since the intro of the P100 and P200 there have been many gains in mask weight with superior vision ie. the Nike, Mizuno, and Wilson titanium. However, that is NOT the reason Plus Pos went under. It was a basic business decision. If you look at all the other umpire gear available, they all have a parent company. West Vest is now distributed by Wilson (very unfortunate.) Honigs has all sports covered. Schutt, Rawlings, Spalding, etc... are multi sport. In fact Douglas recently stopped developing Umpire gear as it is just not profitable. In my opinion, Plus Pos made the best plate shoe ever made as mine lasted almost 10 seasons. Can't find that any more.

I was present when a SUL-200 failed and the umpire was severely injured. As I stated before, I immediately retired mine (backup mask).

I would wear it only as part of an umpire costume for Halloween.

Now that is a good line.

Not saying that it hasn't happend...but I've yet to read on here a story from a person who was personally injured wearing one of these +POS masks...we all have heard stories...but I guess I'm just surprised to not hear a 1st person account of how the mask failed.

Yes. They are called idiots. I would not be caught dead wearing inferior equipment while working fast pitch.

You've never been hit by one, have you?

I don't disagree...but there are all kinds of umpires who wear inferior equipment. If the guy was wearing the +POS for FED softball, I'm pretty sure he'd be safe. That being said...I am not a safety expert...so don't use my opinion to make your decision. (which, I don't think I have to worry about) :-)