Catchers helmet/added concussion protection

burlap1980 said:

1: what are you recording with there?
2: that really rocked her hard .
3: why is the traditional mask not approved for wear?
Umpires wear it still.
Thanks for the input

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1. That was recorded on a GoPro. I record all of her team's games.
2. Yeah. It got her good. The one from 2 weeks ago was pretty much the same.
3. Softball rules (all rule sets) require NOCSAE certification for batting helmets and catcher's helmets. The 2-piece setup is not NOCSAE certified.

Happy to help.

Eric F said:

Yesterday, I received the new Force3 Version 2 helmet (https://www.force3progear.com/defender-hockey-style-mask-2.html). It is easily the most protective catcher's helmet on the market. The cage is mounted on springs at the temples and chin, and extends upward to cover the forehead. This means that all of the hits my DD took would have hit the cage, where the energy would have been transferred away from the forehead, being absorbed by the springs. Additionally, the padding is 3 layers of varying-density foam. The downsides are that it's a bit heavy, and it looks a little different due to the extended cage. My DD hates the way it looked in the pictures, and seems to have already made up her mind that she won't wear it. I think it looks much better in person, but she hasn't seen it yet. I also ordered the youth size (my kid has a small-ish head), but I don't know if it will fit her.

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Hope your DD recovers quickly. It would be interesting to know her thoughts on the Force3 once she's had a chance to try it on. Wondering if the extended mask, which in theory seems to be a great idea to me, hinders visibility at all when looking up. Did not see any photos of the inside of the helmet on the Force3 site, would you say the the layers of foam padding they use appear to be as good or better than what you've seen in other helmets?

Spindaddy said:

Hope your DD recovers quickly. It would be interesting to know her thoughts on the Force3 once she's had a chance to try it on. Wondering if the extended mask, which in theory seems to be a great idea to me, hinders visibility at all when looking up. Did not see any photos of the inside of the helmet on the Force3 site, would you say the the layers of foam padding they use appear to be as good or better than what you've seen in other helmets?

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The visibility issue is definitely something that will be looked at, but I don't expect it will be any worse than the Wilson Shock FX2.0 was, and she was fine with that. The padding is 3 layers of varying densities, with none being a rigid layer. In a phone conversation I had with Force3, it was very clear that they have put a lot of thought into the padding. Version 1 of the helmet included a layer of Unequal material. They told me that Version 2 is an improvement. From what I can tell, I expect it to be very good.

I've also been concerned with the state of affairs with regards to catchers helmets. I've also had discussions here with Eric and others regarding the same... It is a big deal. Anyway, I feel the Schutt padding is class leading, the overall weight of the helmet is a bonus too (it's way heavier than some others), but the downside is the forehead mounts. I'm an engineer by profession and I felt comfortable with modifying her helmet to move the forehead mounts to behind the ears on her schutt helmet. I can in no way recommend anyone else to do it... There are so many brands with rock hard padding that seemingly take no consideration of continuing the progress that was made by the Wilson Shock FX 2.0 in S/M.. Believe it or not, the L/XL version has WAY different padding, a total no go for me. I too know of the Force 3 ver 2, but its aesthetics will be hard for my 12u DD to palate. My DD has since moved to a team that requires Wilson or Louisville Slugger stuff, I've been literally turning the internet upside down for the discontinued stuff. Fortunately, I found a Shock FX 2.0 in S/M that I repainted and amazingly found a new Wilson Promotion Chest Guard in INT for $22!! However, the legs are impossible to get.

Anyway, here are some pics of the modifications that I made to my daughters Schutt....

ernie - That's a good mod to eliminate the forehead cage mounts. I like the look of the Schutt padding, and their experience with football helmets leads me to believe it's pretty darn good, but my DD found it intolerably uncomfortable. Although it's not nearly as good as the Shock FX2.0, the current Wilson Pro Stock helmet looks like it might be better than average - decent padding and no forehead mounts.

My DD still chooses to use her old Wilson Shock FX2.0 despite having an Easton Mako II (Baseball) and a new Prowess helmet. The Wilson been a great lid though she's now ready to retire it since the HS season is over and her new team is sponsored by Easton. I will be trying to get our hands on the newest version Easton helmet ASAP.

I know that we here at DFP are an insignificant, statistical sampling group but damn I wish some of these companies would take more of these conversations to heart!

erniekru said:

However, the legs are impossible to get.

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Have you looked on ebay and amazon? I just upgraded my DD's chest and leg guards from intermediate to adult. Found great deals on both, one from amazon and the other on ebay. The promotion stuff is so dang good, especially those leg guards.

justanotherguy said:

Have you looked on ebay and amazon? I just upgraded my DD's chest and leg guards from intermediate to adult. Found great deals on both, one from amazon and the other on ebay. The promotion stuff is so dang good, especially those leg guards.

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I've looked everywhere for Black Intermediate Promotion legs.. If you have a line on 'em, let me know!

Tatonka said:

My DD still chooses to use her old Wilson Shock FX2.0 despite having an Easton Mako II (Baseball) and a new Prowess helmet. The Wilson been a great lid though she's now ready to retire it since the HS season is over and her new team is sponsored by Easton. I will be trying to get our hands on the newest version Easton helmet ASAP.

I know that we here at DFP are an insignificant, statistical sampling group but damn I wish some of these companies would take more of these conversations to heart!

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Wait as long as you can. The FX2.0 is a far superior helmet than either of the Eastons you indicated (major design flaws indicated earlier in this thread). The new Easton Pro-X should be hitting stores very soon. Amazon indicates a red one actually available right now. With the exception of suspension-mounting the cage, it looks like Easton has actually incorporated a lot of the issues we have discussed on DFP. I think the Pro-X is going to be a pretty good option.

A side note about the Wilson Shock FX2.0...Oregon Ducks softball continues to use the old Wilson gear, including the FX2.0 helmet and ProMotion legs and chest. It's been well over a year since Wilson killed that gear and introduced the Pro Stock line. Oregon's staff chooses to stick with the good stuff. You can see a similar situation with their bat choices.

erniekru said:

I've looked everywhere for Black Intermediate Promotion legs.. If you have a line on 'em, let me know!

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That's what my DD just grew out of. If you want them, they're obviously not new but you can have 'em. Have a red/black intermediate chest if she'll use it.