NEO High Performance Softball Fielder's Mask
The NEO High Performance Softball Fielder's Mask was designed for fastpitch from the ground up, which is rarer than it sounds. Most fielder's masks are baseball designs carried over and shrunk down, and they show it: elastic straps that creep out of position, wire that stops short of the temples, and a shape that fights against a ponytail. NEO spent close to a decade building around those problems instead of inheriting them. The result is a mask that a softball player can dial to her own head in a few seconds and then stop thinking about, which is the whole point of protective gear.
Watch the NEO Fielder's Mask
Dial-Fit Locks the Mask Where You Set It
The patent-pending Dial-Fit system replaces the elastic strap that lets a conventional mask migrate down the face over the course of an inning. A dial at the back of the headband tightens the fit in small, controlled steps, so a player sets it once and it holds through diving stops, sprints to cover a base, and hard throws across the diamond. The dial works with one hand, and the mask goes on and off one-handed too, which matters between pitches when there is no time to unbuckle anything. For a program that keeps a few masks in the team bag rather than one per player, the same dial means the fit resets in seconds for whoever picks it up.
Coverage Where Most Masks Stop: the Temples
The ExoShield outer shell forms the solid brow and upper frame, and the reinforced metal cage wraps further around the head than a standard fielder's cage does. That extra wrap sits over the temple, one of the more vulnerable areas on the skull and the one a basic mask most often leaves exposed. A corner infielder charging a slap or a pitcher finishing her motion off balance takes the ball from an angle, not straight on, and the angle is exactly where that coverage earns its keep. The shell also carries an integrated micro sun visor, so a player fielding a high pop in afternoon light gets a little shade without adding a brim that blocks the view.
Balanced So It Does Not Pull Forward
Weight in a fielder's mask is less about the number on a scale than where the number sits. An overhead strap runs across the top of the head and centers the load, so the mask does not nose down during a sprint or lean forward when a player bends for a ground ball. That balance is what keeps a mask from becoming the thing you notice every time you move.
An Open Back That Works With Her Hair
High ponytails and braids fight most fielder's masks, because the rear strap wants to sit precisely where the hair already is. The mask ends up riding too high, or cinched down hard enough to give a headache by the fourth inning. NEO uses an open-back design that clears a high ponytail, braids, or a low bun without pressure or bulk, and the dial takes up the difference. Practically, that means the fit does not have to be relearned on days a player wears her hair differently.
Built for the Speeds the Game Is Actually Played At
Fastpitch pitching speeds have climbed steadily, and the reaction window at the corners has shrunk with them. The NEO is tested to stay secure on impact at over 70 mph, so the mask is still in its protective position at the moment it is doing its job. A mask that shifts on contact protects less than its coverage suggests, which is why the fit system and the shell are designed as one piece rather than two.
Room to Make It a Team Look
The solid brow panel is a usable surface for team logos, player numbers, and personal decoration, so a softball program can outfit a full infield in one colorway and still let players mark their own gear.
Who This Fielder's Mask Is For
Face protection matters most where the reaction window runs out, which in softball means the circle and the corners. The players below get the most out of a mask that holds its position without constant readjustment.
- Fastpitch pitchers, who stand closest to the hitter with the least time to react
- Corner infielders at first and third playing in on bunts and slaps
- Middle infielders who want face and temple protection without losing sightlines
- Travel and rec players in leagues that require face protection for infielders
- Programs that share masks between players and need a fit that resets quickly
- Players who have given up on masks that slide out of position mid-inning
Choosing Your Size
The mask comes in two sizes, split by temple circumference. Measure around the head with a soft tape, keeping it level, just above the eyebrows and across the temples. Snug, not tight. Measure twice, and if the two readings differ, use the larger one.
- XS/S: up to 22-1/4 inches circumference. Generally fits players 13 and under, or anyone currently in a youth-size mask.
- M/L: 22-1/4 inches circumference and above. Generally fits players 14 and older, or anyone currently in an adult-size mask.
A player who measures right at 22-1/4 inches sits on the boundary; that measurement and above takes the M/L. Age is a rough guide, so the tape measure wins when the two disagree. The size guide graphic in the image gallery shows the measuring position.
NEO High Performance Softball Fielder's Mask Specifications
- Sport: fastpitch softball
- Sizes: XS/S and M/L
- XS/S fit range: up to 22-1/4 inches temple circumference
- M/L fit range: 22-1/4 inches temple circumference and above
- Fit system: patent-pending Dial-Fit adjustable headband, one-handed operation
- Shell: ExoShield impact-resistant frame with integrated micro sun visor
- Cage: reinforced metal with extended temple coverage
- Strap: overhead centering strap, open-back design
- Impact testing: secure on impact at over 70 mph
- Colors: Black, Deep Blue, Slate Gray, Rose Gold, White
- Warranty: one year manufacturer coverage
- Sold as: each
Frequently Asked Questions
What size NEO mask should I order?
Measure temple circumference with a soft tape, level, just above the eyebrows. Up to 22-1/4 inches takes the XS/S; 22-1/4 inches and above takes the M/L. Measure twice and use the larger reading. If you cannot measure, players 13 and under usually land in the XS/S and players 14 and older in the M/L, but the tape is the better guide.
Will it fit over a high ponytail or braids?
Yes. The open-back design clears a high ponytail, braids, or a low bun rather than forcing a player to change how she wears her hair on game day, and the dial takes up whatever slack the hairstyle leaves.
How is this different from a plain wire fielder's mask?
Three things. The Dial-Fit headband replaces the elastic strap that lets a basic mask creep out of position. The reinforced cage wraps further around to cover the temples, where standard cages stop. And the overhead strap centers the weight so the mask does not pull forward when a player bends or sprints.
Does the mask stay put on a hard-hit ball?
That is what the fit system is for. The mask is tested to stay secure on impact at over 70 mph, which keeps the shell and cage in their protective position at the moment of contact rather than after it has already shifted.
Can the same mask move between different players?
The dial makes that practical. Each player can tighten or loosen the headband to her own fit in a few seconds, which is why this works well for a program that keeps a couple of masks in the team bag rather than one per player.
Can we put a team logo on it?
The solid brow panel is designed as a decorating surface for team logos, player numbers, and personal touches. If you are outfitting a whole infield or a full roster, contact us and we can look at the options for your program.
How do I keep the mask clean through a season?
Wipe the frame and cage with a damp cloth and mild soap after dusty tournament weekends, then let it air dry rather than leaving it sealed in a hot equipment bag. Keep the dial mechanism free of infield dirt so it keeps turning smoothly, and check that the chin pad and rear strap are still seated before each game.
