+POS mask

[derwil]

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?

[Kevin Finnerty]

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.

[whaaat]

i use mine for fastpitch h.s varsity and never had a problem! i use it for baseball also from 9-10year olds to american legion and never had a problem.taken plenty of shots over the years.im buying a HSM this year because i like the bottom area around the throat and adams apple area alot better.

[Dano 1]

The Sul100 did have a design flaw. +POS was not the patent holder or the designer of the mask.

After the injury was reported to the designer, +POS was told there had been other injurys. +POS recalled the mask at the first reported injury.

A recall letter was sent to buyers. Buyers that moved, wanted to keep the mask or bought from a 3rd party and had no record did not recieve a replacement.

After the recall there were 5 additional reported injurys out of several thousand.

I spoke to a few competitors spreading rumors about the mask shattering, that is not true.

I witnessed the testing of several masks in a press. The ball was balanced on the mask frame vision bars. The press is lowered on the ball and pushed with force. The ball would go though any metal mask we tested as well as the SUL100. The Sul200 did the best, cut the ball and did not allow to go through the mask.

On a Pitching machine at 90 MPH from 4 feet the mask, the SUL100 and SUL200 preformed better then any other masks, not allowing a ball to go through.
EVERY metal mask we tested the ball went through the vision bars after 4-5 shots and denting the wire. I may do this again and post it on youtube, I will be sure to post it here.

[johnnyg08]

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

[johnnyg08]

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?

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

heck, aren't there people who don't even wear CP's when working softball?

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

A fastpitch softball doesn't hurt.

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

[johnnyg08]

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) :-)

[a1umpire]

I have 2 of these mask and have never had a problem. I have heard stories of umpires being injured with the older virson but Ihave used mine 10 seasons and I love it.

[SAump]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

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

[SethPDX]

Originally Posted by SAump

A fastpitch softball doesn't hurt.

Oh, brother.

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

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?

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.

[Klokard]

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.

[ozzy6900]

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

[sri8527]

Originally Posted by SAump

The original SUL 100 was dangerous.
Any difference in product design?
Why place trust in a SUL 200?

A fastpitch softball doesn't hurt.
So it would be okay, but not approved for different reasons.
View comes to mind.

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

[kylejt]

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.