The Official Forum  

Go Back   The Official Forum > Baseball

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
  #1 (permalink)  
Old Thu Dec 26, 2002, 03:24pm
Official Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 57
Question

I am a new umpire looking to purchase a mask. I was wondering if I should purchase a regular style mask or a hockey style mask??? Are there advantages or disadvantages of one type of mask over the other??? Also, are there any suggestions as to the model (West Vest, Wilson, etc.) that I should consider purchasing??? From my internet research, I know that hockey style masks are heavier than traditional masks. Is the extra weight worth the advantages of the hockey style masks over the traditional style mask??? Any help is greatly appreciated.
Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Old Thu Dec 26, 2002, 05:50pm
Official Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 231
Personal preference, but I think the hockey style look goofy.
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old Thu Dec 26, 2002, 09:05pm
JJ JJ is offline
Veteran College Umpire
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: IN
Posts: 1,122
I have used the +POS ultralight composite mask since it came out several years ago, and can only say great things about it (despite a recall and horror stories of broken noses by a few umpires). I've been drilled numerous times (D1 and Independant Minor Leagues) and have had no problems - with the mask - some might say I'm a little goofy, but that probably is NOT the fault of the mask...
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old Thu Dec 26, 2002, 09:18pm
Michael Taylor
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
I would have to agree with JJ. I have the same mask and love it. The visability isn't as good as others but you can't beat the weight. Several guys in my group bought West vest masks last year and they are better to see through. Not bad in the weight dept but one of them is already dented. For the money it should last more than a year. A couple of the other guys bought Honig's. I've used it and liked it but it has a very different feel to it than my SUL. The game I used it on was a 9 inning men's game that turned into a 14 inning, four hr marathon. A bad night to try a new mask. I have tried on a hockey style and didn't think it was all that heavy. I was also pleasantly surprised that my hat fit underneath it.
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Old Fri Dec 27, 2002, 01:29pm
Official Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Posts: 3,100
I'd be very interested in the comments of anyone who has ever tried the All-Star hockey-style kevlar/titanium mask that some ML umps use. It costs almost $400, but if it's really great, I'd consider it. Supposedly, it gives a much greater range of vision.

I use a POS+ SUL now and like it very much. Besides the advantage of light weight, it must compress or something on direct hits, as you simply don't get jolted with it the way you do with a regular mask. POS+ used to sell it for $88 over the winter, but I don't see it on their current sale.
__________________
greymule
More whiskey—and fresh horses for my men!
Roll Tide!
Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)  
Old Sun Dec 29, 2002, 11:15am
Official Forum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: LeRoy IL
Posts: 278
Send a message via Yahoo to ref5678
I have a allstar hockey style mask NOT the kevlar/titanium version and I love it, sure it's a little heavier but it offers a lot more protection than convetional mask and has great vision. I would definetly recomend this mask.
__________________
Dylan Ferguson
IHSA Official 52010
Firefighter/Paramedic, B.S.
Reply With Quote
  #7 (permalink)  
Old Sun Dec 29, 2002, 09:56pm
Official Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 39
I have the $400 mask. last year I got hit by a backswing with it. Had I had anything else I would have been in big trouble. With this, I was able to stay in the game and did not even suffer a headache.
Reply With Quote
  #8 (permalink)  
Old Tue Dec 31, 2002, 12:19am
Official Forum Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 75
I have the Wilson hockey style by Itech and love it! The vision is amazing and with the weight distributed evenly, it is lighter on your head. If you can pull the trigger and take a little ribbing at first, you will be very happy.
__________________
We all have the same judgement, it's when you decide to use it!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:37pm.



Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.3.0 RC1