"Starter" Mask
 

My son is in training for the spring rec season and, as part of the training, they'll be working on plate mechanics. I'm looking for a recommendation for a useful mask that's not too expensive (i.e., titanium). He'll probably only be doing kiddy-ball and not need it but, in case he does need to use it during the season, would like him to have something that is decent.

Thanks in advance.

Rufus first and most importantly get him a safe mask regardless of the price. Docter bills are much much more expensive than some of the best masks on the market.

All the leagues I have ever known or worked usually supply umpire equiptment. If not just about any local sports store will have a mask with a throat protector that should be suffice. Even a catchers mask can do.

There is a ton of information on the internet about proper stance and standing square to the plate so as to let your equipment properly protect you.

Good Luck

Thanks Ji and I agree completely about the safety issue. There seem to be three different "levels" of mask, >$200, around $100, and around $50. Wanted to see if any masks in the two lower levels were better than others (diamond in the rough). I'm assuming since they're being sold that they're safe (though that may be erroneous on my part).

Thanks again.

Check out the Honig's single bar mask with the Team Wendy pads. I have heard good things and at a price of $75, they are not too expensive.

http://www.honigs.com/sub/176/K94

You'll love the team Wendy pads.

My view is to not skimp on the mask, get a decent mid priced chest protector (not a catchers chest protector), always wear a cup and find some steel toed shoes. You can save on shin guards, even wear catchers stuff.

If he is serious, most major umpire gear suppliers have reasonably priced starter packages. Check that out. I would not use the league supplied gear at LL Majors or above.

Hard to beat this for less than thirty clams delivered.

CATCHER/UMPIRE MASK | eBay

Light and stout.

The next price point would be that Honig's, with the Team Wendy pads.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Thanks to all who have replied. I picked up the Diamond lightweight (DFM-iX3) today at a local baseball warehouse that's close by. It's very light compared to some of the other models they had in stock (no titanium or high-end stuff so it was apples to apples in terms of cost).

If he ends up doing any plate work I will definitely tell him to invest in a throat protector as he inherited his father's long neck.

He's also running an account with us (we're purchasing and he's paying back once he starts getting game fees in) for the up-front costs. The good news is that the starter kits I've seen have been pretty comprehensive. The association he'll be calling with just let them know this past weekend they needed a mask for training this coming weekend, hence my need to get feedback quickly.

Thanks again - speaking as a coach you all have always been respectful and very helpful answering my questions, but I especially appreciate your assistance in helping my son out as he gets started officiating.

We're glad to have him.

When are you going to give up the ghost and come over to the darkside? You know too much to be coaching still. :D

When I no longer have any kids playing to coach of course (though I think I'll always have a soft spot for coaching catchers and continue doing that regardless)! I already referee basketball and would like to get into umpiring at some point. Simply love the game and that seems to be a natural (un-natural?) progression. Plus it would be a kick to officiate with my son at some point, assuming he stays with it.

I understand. I am just yanking your chain, it is great we have good coaches in the game such as yourself.

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

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

I had a terrific young umpire who worked Minors ball that didn't wear steel toed shoes (against my advice) who took a foul ball in the foot and broke two toes. He missed half the season and was never the same after that. He got very jumpy behind the plate and never stayed still. He eventually quit umpiring.

So, do what you feel is best, but I would never advise anyone get behind the plate without protection on their feet.