Umpire's Mask

According to A Game of Inches, umpires were wearing masks by 1882. In the past, we hadn't consistently done this. We sometimes wore a modern mask, and sometimes umpired from behind the pitcher, which is not authentic to the period, sometimes we didn't wear a mask, which presents obvious dangers. So we bought this mask:

The cage is a Reach model, probably from the 1890's, although the basic design is consistent with the mid-1880's. We got the cage with no pads for under $50 on eBay. The cage itself is in great shape, structurally sound with much of the original paint intact.

Based on pictures of the same mask with intact pads on the MEARS auction site, Lincoln Shoe Repair in Cranston fabricated a full set of reproduction pads for us. The pads look great, with a lot of care and accurate detail put into the job. We used a white elastic head strap, like the original, but we added some hidden velcro to make it more adjustable and more easily replacable. The cost for the leather work was $100, although now that he knows how long the job takes, you might have to pay more!

This mask is older than those usually used by vintage base ball catchers. I'd be reluctant to give it to a catcher simply because it would take a beating being thrown on the ground dozens of times each game. These cages aren't particularly rare, a couple come up just about every month on eBay, although usually not quite in this condition. They often have some of the original pads, which increases the price -- if all the pads you see were original, this would be a $1000 mask. I don't know exactly what years this cage design was available. I wouldn't be surprised if it was a long span, since they seem very common for a 19th century design.

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