masks

[UmpJM]

michblue,

Loose!

Basically, if you tip your head forward, the bottom part of the mask should fall away from your chin a couple of inches.

The rationale has to do with the way the mask is designed to protect your noggin'. It's not just the "cushioning" effect of the pads, but the ability to absorb and disperse the force (i.e., mass*velocity) of the ball.

The mask is designed to "spin" on impact, thereby preventing the force from being transferred directly to your skull. If you have the straps too tight, you defeat the design and the majority of the force gets transferred to your skull, causing your brain to bounce around inside your skull and your upper spine to experience "whiplash".

As in all things, do as you think best.

JM

[michblue]

Thanks JM. Appreciate the help.

[yawetag]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

michblue,
causing your brain to bounce around inside your skull and your upper spine to experience "whiplash".

The bouncing of the brain will also cause a concussion, correct?

[UmpJM]

Andrew,

Yes. In layman's terms, a concussion is a "brain bruise".

JM

[justanotherblue]

And be careful with the low profile style masks. There was an aritcle a while back on the MiLB Umpires site that showed an increase in concussions with them. Keep it loose as mentioned before.

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

michblue,

Loose!

Basically, if you tip your head forward, the bottom part of the mask should fall away from your chin a couple of inches.

The rationale has to do with the way the mask is designed to protect your noggin'. It's not just the "cushioning" effect of the pads, but the ability to absorb and disperse the force (i.e., mass*velocity) of the ball.

The mask is designed to "spin" on impact, thereby preventing the force from being transferred directly to your skull. If you have the straps too tight, you defeat the design and the majority of the force gets transferred to your skull, causing your brain to bounce around inside your skull and your upper spine to experience "whiplash".

As in all things, do as you think best.

JM

I've often wondered where the scientific research for this comes from.

[UmpJM]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

I've often wondered where the scientific research for this comes from.

Physics.

JM

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

Physics.

JM

Equation, please..

[Rita C]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

Equation, please..

You're kidding, right? If not, I can come up with several or a general explanation.

Rita

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by Rita C

You're kidding, right? If not, I can come up with several or a general explanation.

Rita

Pie are round, cornbread are square................doesn't fly with me

Or did you find a radical new way to split the atom?

[Rita C]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

Pie are round, cornbread are square................doesn't fly with me

Or did you find a radical new way to split the atom?

That sounds rude.

As it happens I used to teach physics so if you want an explanation, I could come up with one for you.

But if your purpose for your question and your response is to be rude and obnoxious, I won't.

Rita

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

Pie are round, cornbread are square................doesn't fly with me

Or did you find a radical new way to split the atom?

Wow... that was unnecessary. Put it this way. If a fact doesn't "fly with you", consider it may be the receiver and not the deliverer.