RIP-IT Defense Softball Fielder's Mask

Before the Defense from Rip-It, players were forced to use fielding masks that limited their vision, were bulky, and were uncomfortable. With the Rip-It Defense the field of view opens up and comfort is possible thanks to a simplified design that eliminates any unnecessary bulk, while maximizing protection. Players wearing the Defense can actually see their feet when they look down--allowing them an unobstructed view of grounders, pop-ups, and fly balls. With steel safety cell design, ball impacts are repelled and the force is absorbed and transferred away from the point of impact for maximum protection. Go out to the field with confidence and comfort--with the Defense Fielder's Mask from Rip-It.

The Rip-It Defense offers an exceptionally wide field of view, designed not to interfere with your ability to see the ball.

The Steel Safety Cell:

Variable Flex Design: Providing the same impact protection known in the car industry as a crumple zone, the Defense's steel safety cell is designed to be either stiff or flexible depending on the force of impact. This feature allows the Defense to stay rigid for a majority of the impacts a player may receive while playing. However, in that rare instance when the ball is traveling at an excessive speed, the steel safety cell will flex to transfer energy away from the point of contact offering the best possible protection in extreme circumstances. No matter how great the impact, when a ball strikes the Defense the energy and force of the impact is instantly spread over the entire surface area of the padding. With nearly two feet of padded surface area, the Defense is able to absorb more impact, transfer more energy, and reduce impact related injury.
Severity Index of 56 MPH Softball Impact: without Rip-It Defense--1200 SI; with Rip-It Defense--330 SI

Superior Wide Angle Viewing:
The Defense creates such a wide angle of view that players are able to forget they are wearing a facemask. With a simplified design that eliminates any unnecessary bulk, while maximizing protection, the Defense offers the best vision possible in a fielder’s facemask. Players wearing the Defense can actually see their feet when they look down--allowing them an unobstructed view when fielding grounders or pop-ups. The Defense's clutter free design makes seeing the ball to your glove easy and flawless.

Superior Comfort:

Ponytails Strap: Ponytails are part of the game. If you wear a ponytail while playing you know the issues it can cause. The Defense solves this problem with its ponytail strap. The ponytail strap allows you to pull your ponytail through the opening so everything fits perfectly.
Chin Cups: With a back made of one continuous piece of Velcro, the Defense chin cup is infinitely adjustable--enabling it to fit exactly how you want it to. This means more comfort, better positioning, and the ability to talk easily while wearing a fielder’s mask.

Owner Reviews, Ratings, Comments and Criticism
If you are reading this review, you are probably buying this product for your daughter who plays softball. My 12 year old daughter plays travel softball, and pitches. BEFORE we purchased this mask, while pitching, she was hit in the face with a line drive and fractured her eye socket. She was extremely lucky and had no permanent damage, but I insisted on a mask if she wanted to play again. We purchased several different masks, and this mask was both the least obtrusive to her vision, and also offered the best protection. It fit comfortably around her head and face...youth masks are very small, buy an adult size. It stayed in place fairly well, and since it was an open air design, did not fog up, but is too small to aloow a softball to penetrate and hit her face. If your daughter plays competitively, and plays 3rd base or pitches, buy this BEFORE she gets hit in the face.