masks \ equipment

debeau · #1 (**permalink**) Sun Mar 20, 2005, 04:25am

Whats the lightest mask on the market ?
I generally buy my equipment from Honigs .
Any other suggestions as to where to look at websites.
I am from New Zealand ( thats in the south pacific )
off the coast of Australia .
Oh and I forgot the current mens world champions of softball .
I had to put that in for you yanks .

Steve M · #2 (**permalink**) Sun Mar 20, 2005, 09:59am

debeau,
I do not have the lightest mask on the market. That would be one of the composites. I've tried a couple and they are amazingly light, almost no weight at all. The problem that I have with them is that they flex - when taking a direct shot in a men's game. That's a concern & distraction for me - and I do not need a distraction. I use one of the light-weight metal masks. It's light enough and I do not have that flexing issue. I'd go with one of the single bar masks from Honigs. And I'd stay with one of the big name dealers (like Honigs) since you're shipping overseas.

DNTXUM P · #3 (**permalink**) Sun Mar 20, 2005, 10:48pm

The Schutt mask is the lightest I have ever tried. It also has the widest viewing area. It is not a composite mask and does not flex. I have taken many shots with it both in NCAA and men's ball.

I know that at least 2 olympic umps used it in Greece last summer and at least 3 NCAA world series umps use it.

Art Hill sells it in Wisconson and Playball Sports sell it in Texas (800) 619-6778

debeau · #4 (**permalink**) Mon Mar 21, 2005, 02:24am

Is there a web site I can look at ?
Phoning is an option but I do live in New Zealand .

DNTXUM P · #5 (**permalink**) Mon Mar 21, 2005, 05:46am

http://www.playballsports.net/
click on schutt sports - umpire gear

They do not have online ordering yet, but their website says it will be coming soon. Try emailing at [email protected] to order

I don't know about Art Hill

whiskers_ump · #6 (**permalink**) Mon Mar 21, 2005, 08:04am

debeau

Another place for the Schutt mask, which is great BTW,
is http://www.ump-attire.com.
You can fax Russell Pemberton at 281-356.8092. I saw him a week ago and he
says he has them in stock. They are a pretty hot item. Also has a very
lite chest protector.

(edited to correct fax nr.)

#7 (**permalink**) Wed Mar 23, 2005, 10:33am

Quote:

Originally posted by whiskers_ump
debeau

Another place for the Schutt mask, which is great BTW,
is http://www.ump-attire.com.
You can fax Russell Pemberton at 281-356.8092. I saw him a week ago and he
says he has them in stock. They are a pretty hot item. Also has a very
lite chest protector.

(edited to correct fax nr.)

I agree. The Schutt mask is the lightest I have seen. Understand that Schutt has modified the mask. It is now a single bar vs the double bar (which is what I have). I purchased mine last year, just after purchasing what I thought was a lightweight Wilson mask.

As for the lite chest protector, which one is this? Talking to Larry at Play Ball Sports, the new chest protector from Schutt would not come out until beginning of summer. Not sure if we're talking about the same protector. The prototype I saw last year is a real lite chest protector that goes on like a shirt. It also has compartments to put "cold packs" in during those hot days. Is this the same one?

Serg

whiskers_ump · #8 (**permalink**) Wed Mar 23, 2005, 12:21pm

Serg

Also has compartments to put "cold packs" in during those hot days. Is this the same one?

We are talking the cold packs needed for those hot days.

whiskers_ump · #9 (**permalink**) Wed Mar 23, 2005, 12:22pm

However, that is not the one I got...But this one is
very lite and comfortable.

Little Jimmy · #10 (**permalink**) Wed Mar 23, 2005, 02:33pm

Any idea how this new Schutt, single bar mask compares weight wise to the Plus Positive composite from a couple of years back? I've got that one and love the weight but think the view is a bit small.

Bandit · #11 (**permalink**) Wed Mar 23, 2005, 02:46pm

Just purchased the new Schutt mask from http://www.aluminumbats.com got it about a month ago. Great service even when they had sent me last years model. Good thing I had gone to a NCAA clinic this spring and Schutt was there showing and selling both last years and this years model. There is a diffference in the two masks. As far as the new single bar 2005 model I only have one word. WOW !

whiskers_ump · #12 (**permalink**) Wed Mar 23, 2005, 05:07pm

Quote:

Originally posted by Little Jimmy
Any idea how this new Schutt, single bar mask compares weight wise to the Plus Positive composite from a couple of years back? I've got that one and love the weight but think the view is a bit small.

Lighter, I sold my SUL right after I used the Schutt in
a tournament.
I had seven games first day, four plates, and 8 games second day,
five plates. Love it.