12U Dd has always left her helmet on - just what she prefers - and she is a beast. Today alone she made 4 foul pop up catches, several throwndowns and an out at home all with her helmet on. We were playing the top 3 teams on our area. However this weekend one of her coaches decided that "it was time she learns to take it off". I am not happy! I think I am going to print out this entire thread and take it to him!
Throwing off the facemask
- Thread starter obbay
- Start date
Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch
Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.
A catcher with no helmet is very vulnerable to injury with a kid coming in all elbows, knees and cleats. Plus they have a helmet on and your DD has nothing.
DD's 14U coach used to always tell her to take it off. One day I pointed out that there are MLB catchers like Molina and Posey that keep it on. He didn't like it but stopped insisting DD take it off.
If she wants to keep it on she can, just like a pitcher is free to wear a facemask.
I always have my 11 yr old DD keep her helmet on for the entire play. We also practice catching foul balls and making plays at home with the helmet on. Some foul balls she catches and some she misses, but at least she is getting use to always having the mask on for every play. Last week during one of our games, the opposing teams catcher threw off her mask right before a play at the plate. As the runner was coming home, she took her eye off the ball for just a split second and she ended up getting hit in the face with the ball. She was very lucky that no damage was done, but was just a perfect example why she needs to keep her mask on until the play is over. They have gear for a reason, catchers need to use it and they will still make the plays.
My DD had a case of the brain farts this weekend. We have always practiced and talked about leaving the mask on for plays. Batter hits a short popup between home and first just in foul territory. My DD pops up and tosses the helmet aside and charges to it and so does the first baseman who has her facemask on. Nobody calls the ball and they collide face to face. DD goes down with a bloody nose. Lesson is learned the hard way for sure. Several items were not executed correctly on that play, but point is if she would have kept the mask on, she would probably have been just fine.
Tell the coach when his personal insurance covers the 100's of thousands of dollars for facial reconstructive surgery, dental repairs and the money you will be suing him for due to pain and suffering, she can take it off. Until then it stays on.
Last edited:
obbay
Banned
its time the coach learns the game.
old school fool!
obbay
Banned
wow- i started this thread 6 years ago and I'm still here!
a lot of water has gone under the bridge since then!
a lot of water has gone under the bridge since then!
Oldies but Goodies never seem to really go away.
My DD takes her helmet off/leaves it in depending on the situation. Pop up in her area of responsibility: she throws it off. If there might be a play at the plate: she leaves it on. If a bunt gets popped up: no time to think - just make a play on the ball.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
