Looking for some insight. I Just was told I need glasses and will be trying progressives as distance and close are different strengths. Any suggestions on the type of mask that would allow the glasses underneath? I wear a hockey style now - but would be willing to go old school if that is easier. Any insight is appreciated.
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Boy is this one a teed up softball. But I'll leave it alone. 
If you go progressives, I would suggest you get frames that hold large lenses. I have the small "stylish" frames, and it is very difficult to watch a baseball game with them as the vision areas are too small. I think the larger lenses should give you better vision. Good luck.
Hey - we recently covered this in another forum topic:
https://community.hsbaseballweb.com/topic/umpire-gift
Follow the link by bolts-coach-pr
More seriously - I think once you wear the progressives for a while, then you'll have no problems. They take a bit to get used to, but you'll find forcing yourself to track the ball with your eyes moreso than your head since you know that there's a certain spot in your field of vision that causes that 'change'. Your eyes/brain know it too and they adjust quite readily.
I don't wear the hockey mask, but if you've worn sunglasses while also wearing your mask it shouldn't be that difficult to adjust. I don't think it's necessary to change your mask just because of glasses.
Someone has to start. So the parents in the stands were right all along!?
2forU posted:Someone has to start. So the parents in the stands were right all along!?
You learn to not let the parents bother you after a little while.
If there are any that really get on my nerves, I just sic my seeing eye dog on them.
I've used the standard masK for my entire career . Un
Look into buying a mask with built in clear prescription glass front cover.
I would consider using just distance for baseball. That assumes that you can see well enough with them to manage the line-up card.
And, if you can, get contacts -- at least for the games (if not all the time). Much less intrusive. And then if you need to put on "cheaters" for the line-up card, that's a lot more "understandable" to those watching.
I have the same eyesight condition as you and I wear one contact for reading and one for distance. the optometrist told me that 95% of the population can do this. It has worked great for me plus when you pull the catchers mask off you don't have to worry about the glasses coming off.
You pull the catchers mask off?
Doesn't that piss off his coach?
Seriously though - I've always been taught pull away first, then off. Keeps your hat on too!
I've used both you get used to taking off the mask...out and up in the left hand.
I remember the first time I read the Title of this Thread, "Glasses Behind the Plate," and had another take. With all the berating umpires get from coaches and parents, you could probably need behind the plate (by backstop), a glass of wine, glass of whiskey, glass of bourbon...
