wilson titanium mask
 

whos got the best price right now?

Ump-Attire $198.99
Between The Lines $209.90
Gerry Davis $229.90


These are just a few... but you are probably going to have a hard time beating Ump-Attire.

Makes me glad I got it when it first came out for $149.00.

Wasn't that the low-profile mask, rather than the full-profile they're selling now?

I bought a standard profile from UmpAttire last week. All black pads.

I couldn't find a cheaper price. And the all black pads was a nice touch. Not a fan of two-tone pads.

I don't know if the regular profile was available at that time, but even if it was, I would have purchased the low profile, which is what I use.

$153.59

Epic sports. If you can find nine others to buy with you you could get it as low as $139.99.

MLB Baseball Titanium/Steel Wire Facemask Umpire - Baseball Equipment and Gear

If you ever order from Epic Sports, you had better be absolutely certain that you're ordering exactly the right thing, because all of the savings are eaten up with high shipping and re-stocking fees.

The mask that is shown is the low-profile, and the listing says that it's the black one.

Just beware.

P.S.

Epic Sports return policy:

Items (which are not defective or mis-shipped) can only be returned for refund within 5 days from receipt of order and will be charged a 20-50% restocking fee, less shipping charges. Items that are not returned in their original "factory" packaging will be charged an additional re-packaging fee.

If you are not familiar with an item or sizes, we suggest that you compare products at your local sporting goods store, before you purchase on-line.

An effective way of discouraging returns (as well as orders).

That's insane, borderline usery.

After placing my order a year ago... Shortly after placing my order I was contacted by Epic to verify that everything was correct. I had the mask in about 5 bus days. Shipping was also resonable. If in doubt, call them up and verify everything over the phone then place your order.

Usury, even.

Personally, I'd never order from them. They are more than borderline unfriendly just from that policy.

Reminds me of a hardware store in a town where I grew up that has an owner that posts "rules" all over -- no cell phones, no checks, no credit cards, no loud talking, etc. My comment to my dad (who insisted on going there) was -- would they rather have people go to Walmart?

You like the low profile mask? Really?

Yes I love it. I have taken a hand full of shots directly to the mask from LL 12yr olds, to High school Varsity to D1-D2 College pitchers and the mask simply spins off and falls to the ground. After the impact, I usually brush it off, inspect for a quick dent, put it back on.... and put the ball back in play.

Yes, absolutely.

I got a great deal from someone on this forum last year for a low-profile Titanium and I absolutely love it.

Question: Is the "steel" mask that is advertised on Epic's website the black cage version of the Titanium? I vaguely remember Between the Lines carrying what they called a Titanium a while back but it was a black cage instead of the silver like normal. Anyone?

I had one, sold it at a tournament in Europe last summer for €100. Weird little quirk I have -- I like using the same hat on the plate that I do on the bases and it was just impossible with the low profile.

So I got a standard profile one. I'll be stylin' and profilin' with my new mask and my new Riddell Power this spring. :D

I have both. I started with the low-profile, because that was the first one available. I got the standard when I had to swap the first one out after it bent.

I now use the standard almost all the time. I use the low-profile when the stuff the kids are throwing isn't over 80 m.p.h.

In a winter scrimmage, I took a straight, uncaught 94 m.p.h. fastball straight in the right eye area of the standard one (a half swing blinded the catcher). The mask landed 15 feet behind and to the right of me.

I can say that the light weight makes for less of a jolt, and the pads on that mask are the best imaginable. Wear it loose, like Tim C. professes---it makes all the difference in the world. That same shot with a heavier mask that stays on, and it's a much different jolt.

I just called there. They said they only carry the low profile :mad:

It's your face and head. Paying what you need to pay to protect it optimally is, pardon the pun, a no-brainer.

Save (conceal) an extra game fee or two, and pay the difference to Jim at Ump-attire.com, and get what you need and truly want.

It's worth it in two ways: you get a titanium and you don't have to deal with Epic Sports.

I found that interesting too. Word on the street, and from a couple of umpire unions, is that low-prof masks carry a substantially higher risk for incurring a concussion.

Has anyone ever actually confirmed this with real evidence and not anecdotal stories?

Has anyone ever actually confirmed this with real evidence and not anecdotal stories?

I doubt there's an emperical evidence out there. It's just based on physics and common sense. I'd rather have a hatchet shape in front of me to deflect the energy, than a flat shape to absorbe it.

I don't know about "substantially higher", but logic would tell you the more round the shape, the less of a "flat" blow you'll get. What you're trying to avoid is the straight shot, where the ball just falls right in front of you. I had one of those with the old +POS SUL. I took the whole brunt of that one. I was coo-coo for three days, and didn't even know it.

I don't care what kind of "profile" mask you are wearing....when a 94 m.p.h. hits you uncaught, it's going to stun you for a sec. Like Finnerty says... gotta keep that mask loose.

Other than PBUC umpires telling me 'low-profile' masks were deemed 'not recommended' for safety from an increased potential for concussion...I have no real evidence.

As for choosing between standard or low-profile - I've used both and don't see a benefit from the low-pro significant enough for taking a risk for lack of real evidence. Of course others might prefer the field of view offered by the low-pro and choose to take that risk.

It's another purely subjective decision. No matter which mask is chosen we are at risk of being concussed when struck. Occupational hazard.

Well, some coaches would argue that the low profile hasn't helped me to see the zone any better. :D

ok, finally pulled the trigger yesterday. I ordered the Standard profile from Ump Attire. Sorry, but I like the 2 tone pads.

You should never have to apologize for liking something that's two-tone.

+POS two-toned ball bags?

Maybe those are the exception that proves the rule. ;)

Sheesh!

I didn't think of that, Bob. Good save.

"Some"? Why so humble?

Indeed.

Got it yesterday. Can't wait to wear it.

Congrats!

Yes, a mask can really be that light and easy to see through.

Well, the definition of "some" is two or more. :D