Two years ago Wilson introduced the Shock FX Umpire Helmet (right) with much excitement. Deserving of all the hype, it was a large leap in umpire safety through innovative designs to absorb more force than traditional hockey style umpire helmets. Obvious at first glance were the built-in shock absorbers as well as the floating mask design where the cage is not screwed directly to the shell not to mention a titanium cage and enhanced panoramic shape that greatly improved vision.At nearly $250 a pop retail, we wondered "Will umpires pay a premium for a helmet with such advanced features?" The answer was a resounding "Yes!".
HIGHLY REVIEWED BEST SELLER
Indeed, the Wilson Shock FX Umpire Helmet became our best selling helmet in 2009 - despite its price being over 3 times that of our less expensive model. In addition, it became highly regarded as indicated by customers' writing the most extensive glowing reviews of any product we've ever sold.
RECENT CONCERNS
Despite the improvements in technology, the Shock FX reputation has been shook slightly this year by a few things. First of all, MLB umpires Ed Hickox and Kerwin Danley received concussions in the same weekend while wearing the Shock FX bringing some attention that although this umpire helmet perhaps lessened their injuries - especially in Danley's case as it was a bat to the back of the head where a traditional mask protects none at all - it did prove that even the Shock FX is not completely foolproof or indestructible.
Secondly, reports surfaced of a few helmets with problems such as shock absorbers "popping out" and cracked shells in the chin area on both umpire and catcher style Shock FXs. It is worth noting we heard more of these reports than we actually saw of them. At Ump-Attire.com, we only had one helmet returned with a crack and only one returned with a shock absorber issue this year with none in previous years.
MEETING WITH WILSON
I had the privilege to sit down with Patrick Udelhofen, Senior Engineer of Team Sports at Wilson, at their Chicago headquarters to discuss extensively umpire safety, the Shock FX umpire issues mentioned above and improvements incorporated in the next generation Shock FX model, the 2.0, due out later this month.
DEBUNKING MASK AND HELMET MYTHS
Patrick echoed what we've all been talking about for some time now:
- There is no umpire helmet or mask that can protect an umpire completely.
- There is no such mask or helmet available that is impervious to a bending frame, cracked shell or other. Such results to the massive amount of force a baseball or softball can cause do not necessarily reflect an equipment flaw or defect.
- Although more protective overall, not every part of a hockey style helmet protects better than every part of a traditional mask (think flatter middle of helmet as in Hickox's case and the Kettering study that, although flawed, did bring some of these differences to light).
- Not all hockey style helmets protect in the same manner as indicated by differences in amounts and type of padding and how closely frames are screwed directly onto shells as most traditional hockey style helmets have been; this in comparison to the "floating style" frame on the Shock FX, a second generation hockey style umpire helmet.
So what about these issues with shock absorbers breaking or popping out? Wilson and Patrick found that most of the issues experienced, especially by catchers (where umpires reported seeing them), were due to helmets being thrown and hitting the ground (think catcher going for a pop up and slinging the helmet or just carelessness, say throwing it in the trunk of a car after the game), and not necessarily from the force of a thrown or tipped ball as one would initially imagine.
The shock absorbers were not built with the above abuse in mind. Actually, the Shock FX helmet was designed initially for only umpires' use, and only later did Wilson start making them for catchers.
The Shock FX's shock absorbers were built, however, to withstand force from a pitched or tipped ball at a more direct "head-on" angle. Because of this, however, there were a few limited occurrences - the umpire style of the Shock FX included - where problems were experienced when force occurred at a more upward or from a side angle.
SHOCK FX 2.0 IMPROVEMENTS (see images below)
Patrick was glad to discuss the multiple improvements to an already great item. The enhancements emphasize preventing issues discussed above, greater visibility and limited added protection as follows:
- Dramatically redesigned the titanium cage in 4 places areas that focused on covering the ABS shell in spots vulnerable to cracking, especially in the chin area
- Increased the welds on the titanium frame for strength and added durability
- Added strength to shock absorbers to prevent problems caused by side to side or other angled impacts
- Tweaked eye opening and moved the frame closer inward to provide even greater visibility
- Made helmet 1 inch longer to bottom front to provide additional protection
In the meantime, let us know what you think about the improvements.
7 comments:
Jim, love your blog and am about to make a new mask purchase. I am defiantly getting the Shock 2.0. But I have a few questions...
I have been hit in the throat before (luckily I was using my 6" throat guard) and usually base my mask choice in throat protection. I have the Diamond Edge which has great throat protection. The older version of the Shock mask looked like it was lacking in that department.
Do you know if the 2.0 offers better throat protection due to the 1" size increase or will a throat guard be necessary?
Will this older Shock FX throat guards fit the 2.0?
Thanks!
Thanks for the compliment. A lot of guys like to wear this mask without an additional throat guard so for those the additional once inch will help, BUT (big but there), I still advocate you wear a throat guard with this helmet as well as any other one or mask. The reason is mainly due to a gap that still exists from a ball coming up at an angle. Please read Testing for Throat Protector Size and Placement for more reasoning and info on this. Perhaps, one difference might be that if you needed a 6 inch one before, perhaps a 4 inch one will do.
To answer your second question, yes the Shock FX throat guards should fit this newly designed helmet.
Brandon,
Wanted to also thank you for your post and let me know if you have more questions.
Jim
I sent my original shock in to Wilson last week for repair and they sent me a 2.0 as replacement...kind of cool. I love the new mask. Will wear it for the first time on Saturday.
The only issue I have is that the 4" shock throat guard that I bought last year does not seem to fit the new one like it did the old one. The actual protector is fine and is still contoured to the mask, the problem is with the rubberized straps. They almost seem tight. The guard does not swing like it used to on my old one. I have contacted Wilson and they do not seem concerned and say that no changes are planned for the throat guards for 2010.
Jim I would love your feedback when you do get the new ones in. Maybe I am crazy, but it does not seem to work as well as it did on my old mask.
I love the helmet. I've used it for half of this past season (40 games) and took about the same number of foul balls as the regular mask in the first half. I bought the regular mask new during the offseason last year. The regular one was already bent and really dented in after about 35 games behind the plate. The Shocks FX helmet has really stood up well.
I think one of the major things people have to look at when deciding what helmet to use is how they get hit when they take a foul ball. These are my opinions from what I've seen in the past could years from a couple guys who also have the FX, one who loves it and one to got rid of it after a couple weeks. If you're a flincher and do turn your head just a lil bit, the regular mask is for you, cause it will get torn off. If you're flinching with the shock fx you're going to get drilled in the flat part of the mask and it has nowhere to go.
I love the shape because it never seems to take a direct shot if you don't move and the shocks lessen the blow and change the angle of the shot. Just my experience with a 90-93 mph fastball that dropped me half stupid in april then took the same thing from the same pitcher in july and barely felt it.
Jim, with the new 2.0 would you consider working the dish after having a 2-level fusion of the cervical. I need the protection but wonder just how much shock the 2.0 will take. I've been out for over a year and want to come back and the 2.0 may allow that. Your thoughts?
In looking through some comments, I realized I missed this one from anonymous on whether or not to come back from a cervical fusion.
You know I can't answer that question. And you know we talk a lot about concussions but there is also the concern for whiplash as well. There also has been a lot of talk about neck injuries being sustained from a scissors position (not sure if this pertains to you) where with a hit ball there is no more flex available in that position.
The Shock 2.0 is on average more protective than most other things out there, but there are areas on the mask that will take the same amount of force as traditional masks...there are just less of those spots.
I would take the better safe the sorry route, not knowing your specific medical situation or level you do, and at least start with games on the bases. Regardless, this is something you will need to talk to your doctor about given the information I've shared and the level you do.
Wish I could be more insightful. You are welcome to call me if you want to discuss further.
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