"Starter" Mask

[MrUmpire]

What's your son's face worth? $30?

The mask and chest protector are not the items go cheap on.

[dash_riprock]

Diamond lightweight (black) - about $70. If he likes umpiring and moves up, replace the pads with Team Wendy's - $40 from Honigs.

Titanium is not worth the money, IMO. The Diamond is just as light, and the titanium is no stronger than steel (although it is a whole lot lighter). It also bends just like steel, then you have to throw it out.

[zm1283]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

Diamond lightweight (black) - about $70. If he likes umpiring and moves up, replace the pads with Team Wendy's - $40 from Honigs.

Titanium is not worth the money, IMO. The Diamond is just as light, and the titanium is no stronger than steel (although it is a whole lot lighter). It also bends just like steel, then you have to throw it out.

Depends on what fits you. I have tried the Diamond lightweight mask on, and while it is very light and is a nice mask, I hated the way it fit me. I thought it was hard to see out of personally. I had a low-profile Titanium and loved it, and sold it and got a standard profile Titanium and really like it so far.

[dash_riprock]

Originally Posted by zm1283

Depends on what fits you. I have tried the Diamond lightweight mask on, and while it is very light and is a nice mask, I hated the way it fit me. I thought it was hard to see out of personally. I had a low-profile Titanium and loved it, and sold it and got a standard profile Titanium and really like it so far.

Whatever floats your boat. If you don't like the fit, then that mask is not for you. You were wise to get rid of the low-profile (aka new view) mask. They don't work well with 6 or 8 stitch hats (I refuse to wear a combo hat) and, more importantly, when you take one to the mask, they transfer energy to your face rather than deflecting it.

[BretMan]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

You were wise to get rid of the low-profile (aka new view) mask. They don't work well with 6 or 8 stitch hats (I refuse to wear a combo hat) and, more importantly, when you take one to the mask, they transfer energy to your face rather than deflecting it.

Dash, the Diamond mask you recommended earlier- is it the DFM-UMP model? They are as light as a feather, but all of the product descriptions I see for it describe it as a "low-profile mask".

Is it just not as low as others? Are the product descriptions misleading? Are you talking about a different model than the DFM-UMP?

I'm in the market for a new mask and am really curious about this. The thing that's been keeping me from pulling the trigger on the DFM-UMP is that all of the advertising literature for it says it's a low-profile design.

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by BretMan

Dash, the Diamond mask you recommended earlier- is it the DFM-UMP model? They are as light as a feather, but all of the product descriptions I see for it describe it as a "low-profile mask".

Is it just not as low as others? Are the product descriptions misleading? Are you talking about a different model than the DFM-UMP?

I'm in the market for a new mask and am really curious about this. The thing that's been keeping me from pulling the trigger on the DFM-UMP is that all of the advertising literature for it says it's a low-profile design.

The DFM-UMP is not as flat, or low profile, as the Wilson New View. It does have some pretty worthless pads, that I recommend be swapped out. Factor that into the whole price of the rig. Be sure the check eBay for the best deal on these masks.

[dash_riprock]

Originally Posted by kylejt

The DFM-UMP is not as flat, or low profile, as the Wilson New View. It does have some pretty worthless pads, that I recommend be swapped out. Factor that into the whole price of the rig. Be sure the check eBay for the best deal on these masks.

I agree with Kyle. The DFM-UMP is a standard profile mask - not flat at all. I don't know why they advertise it as low-profile. I am also able to wear a 6 or 8-stitch hat with it (the 8-stitch takes some practice).

I put on Team Wendy's pads ($40 from Honigs). It's as if they were made for the mask - a perfect fit.

[MD Longhorn]

Throat protector. And in case I don't mention it... throat protector. I know this from personal experience. Drilled in the neck once - WAY worse than forgetting your cup.

And if he's doing youth ball, you can wait on the steel toed shoes until you know if he's serious.

One thing I did my first season - half of all my umpiring money got set aside until i could afford whatever piece of equipment I needed next. By the end of the first season, I had solid equipment everywhere.

[BretMan]

Originally Posted by kylejt

It does have some pretty worthless pads, that I recommend be swapped out. Factor that into the whole price of the rig.

Already factoring...since I know that you can buy just the frame alone on ump-attire.com.

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

What's your son's face worth? $30?

The mask and chest protector are not the items go cheap on.

Actually, that All Star frame is pretty stout, and the padding is decent. Far better that the wimpy stuff most "light weight" frames from Diamond, Schutt, Champion, etc, come stock with. I have a couple of those in my locker for my Junior umpires to use, so I know by experiece they're okay.