Hsm

JR12 · #1 (**permalink**) Mon Feb 16, 2009, 05:40am

Never saw this one before. Is it new?
"Luke, I am your father"
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Rawlings-Spe...3A1%7C294%3A50

Delaware Blue · #2 (**permalink**) Mon Feb 16, 2009, 07:09am

Quote:

Originally Posted by JR12

Never saw this one before. Is it new?

It's been out for several years and sold by Rawlings as a catcher's helmet and not an umpire's helmet (thank goodness). The only place I ever saw one was at a youth game. It no longer appears on the Rawlings web site which causes me to wonder if it's been discontinued.

If someone is going for that "special" look, I'd suggest:

zm1283 · #3 (**permalink**) Mon Feb 16, 2009, 08:37am

As a side note, I tried on several HSMs when shopping for one back in the fall. The only ones that even felt right were the All Star (That I ended up getting) and the Wilson Shock FX. The rest felt flimsy and just didn't fit right. I remember the Rawlings being one of them.

Kevin Finnerty · #4 (**permalink**) Mon Feb 16, 2009, 12:20pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by JR12

Never saw this one before. Is it new?
"Luke, I am your father"
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Rawlings-Spe...3A1%7C294%3A50

According to the guy who knows everything (the team sports guy at a sporting goods giant): Apparently they tried to make the HSM lighter by using that lightweight plastic where some of the steel used to be. It didn't go over too well, because of its unpopular appearance, and not the lack of durability. It was also not aimed at the pro catcher, nor was it a reasonable solution for umpires.

You gotta' love the Rawlings design team!