Requiring Facemask for pitchers... Possible league policy... THoughts?

[Andy S]

IMHO , a softly thrown ball to the grill is not a realistic risk of catastrophic facial injury like a line drive is.

I know this was said way up thread, but I wanted to comment as a cautionary tale about looking at things this way...

As a kid's parent that took a ball to the head in a warmup and suffered 9 months out of ball due to post concussion syndrome, half days of school for several months, migraines, and now anxiety issues, I will say that catastrophic facial injuries are just one part of the issue, and it's naive to only think that way. Thrown balls can do bad things.

The injury was a freak thing after the coach asked the girls to hold the balls and look at her. Mine did, her throwing partner didn't hear. Lots of late night ER visits, neurologists consults, and therapists later, I have a much stronger opinion on these things. Our kid's a catcher, and we're now trying to get all the coaches to stop telling her to throw her mask all the time when there are possible plays at the plate, too.

 

[cuzmail]

Personally... my DD has had several thousands of dollars of dental work done. She wears a mask when she pitches or plays infield. I respect the choice of those that choose otherwise even if I don't personally agree with their choice.

This is the key - choice. You are the product of your choices in life.

We are in almost the same boat. DD had several thousand worth of dental work too. Now we are in the retainer stage since having the braces removed a month ago. Yea for us! Our exception to your note is DD has decided to stop using the face mask.

DD's High School coach has gotten into her head about a mask being a sign of an inferior player. DD is very fond of her HS coach (we are too), but we certainly disagree on this one. Anyway, DD quit wearing a mask in the circle this past spring. Her choice. Our choice to go with mental status (directly relates to performance) over safety. Not the smart choice, but one we made.

 

[schwabach]

This is the key - choice. You are the product of your choices in life.

DD's High School coach has gotten into her head about a mask being a sign of an inferior player.

What kind of coach would do that? This is an example of why I have a problem with so many coaches.

 

[cuzmail]

What kind of coach would do that? This is an example of why I have a problem with so many coaches.

An old school coach. There are a lot of them out there. Fortunately, the tide is turning and they will eventually have to conform.

 

[CoachKevin]

An old school coach. There are a lot of them out there. Fortunately, the tide is turning and they will eventually have to conform.

Yes, that is true. However until one of the major associations make it mandatory you will always have this lingering around. These are the exact same arguments made 15 years ago about masks on batting helmets... Now, the players don't even know the difference because the grew up playing the sport with them. It would be the same for fielding masks.

 

[riseball]

Yes, that is true. However until one of the major associations make it mandatory you will always have this lingering around. These are the exact same arguments made 15 years ago about masks on batting helmets... Now, the players don't even know the difference because the grew up playing the sport with them. It would be the same for fielding masks.

As we know masks on batting helmets are 100% accepted, do not make it harder to hit, and every player wears them in college. Right?

Sarcasm aside, I find it amazing given they grew up with it how many ditch the mask at the first opportunity.

 

[CoachKevin]

As we know masks on batting helmets are 100% accepted, do not make it harder to hit, and every player wears them in college. Right?

Sarcasm aside, I find it amazing given they grew up with it how many ditch the mask at the first opportunity.

Didn't think we were talking college here. My point was if it ever becomes a rule to wear fielding masks, the kids will still be playing fine.

 

[Sweet Lou]

As we know masks on batting helmets are 100% accepted, do not make it harder to hit, and every player wears them in college. Right?

Sarcasm aside, I find it amazing given they grew up with it how many ditch the mask at the first opportunity.

I'm sure she was glad she ditched it.

 

[marriard]

An old school coach. There are a lot of them out there. Fortunately, the tide is turning and they will eventually have to conform.

See I have a big problem here... Yes as [MENTION=7378]cuzmail[/MENTION] said - I respect people's choices to wear masks or any other piece of protective equipment or not - but here is a perfect example of someone of influence not respecting someones choice and pressuring them to change to their view (exactly the same thing the people against mandatory masks argue).

I had one *@*@*@ a few weeks ago go on his 'fielding masks means the player can't field' soapbox rant when we were at an org board meeting/dinner so I asked 'Don't all your players wear elbow guards when they hit and some even wear shin guards and wrist guards? Does that mean they can't hit?'

That didn't go down well - apparently it is not the same thing at all. He argued that pitchers can and do hit batters regularly and they might not be able to get out of the way especially if it is unexpectedly wild.." I absolutely agree - and doesn't the ball normally comes off the bat faster than it is pitched and the pitcher is closer to the bat than when she let the ball go - isn't her reaction ability even less than the batters who are waiting for the pitch? Why is the batter getting a pass for wearing extra protection but the pitcher isn't?'

So then I asked whether he stood behind a screen when he front tossed - yep... and why - 'Because these girls hit hard and the ball comes back fast and I may not be able to react'

"So you stand behind a screen for the same reason someone may wear a fielding mask. And that is ok for you so you don't get hit, but not OK for a teenage girl to protect her face?"

Probably didn't change his mind, but it made me feel better. That is probably as good as it is going to get.

One of our outfielders wears a fielding mask - we have played on some outfields where the ball has come up and bitten players hard - and some of the lips between infield/outfield make the ball jump hard. She likes it because she says it lets her go 100% at a ball that has a good chance of jumping up and hitting her without worrying about it. Good for her.

 

[riseball]

I'm sure she was glad she ditched it.

What point are you attempting to make?