Face mask

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Oct 17, 2016
5
0
Texas
Ok, so I need some input please. My daughter plays first base, and she does very well at this position and has been playing first base since 10U (she is now 14U). She makes a lot of really good plays moving all around the bag ect. She wears a face mask. During the summer when she would get a pop fly to her area, she calls the ball, flags team mates off with her hands and flips her mask off. She does this all with great coordination and has so far never missed a pop fly. Now, these are mainly the high ones when she flips her mask off. She has caught many fast line drives and definitely keeps it on then. I asked her why she does this and she said because the mask obstruct her view looking up( She wears the rip it, and has had good luck with it). I just wanted to hear from coaches and others what you think of this. I don't really fear for her safety with this, but yes, I know it could hit her, I just want to know if this is a distraction to others or wrong to do. If this is a horrible, bad habit, I want to encourage her not to do this. This past tourney she did it a couple of times, and she had a really awesome defensive weekend.
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
I don't really get why it would be necessary but it seems pretty unlikely to cause any harm either. By 14U travel I would expect a routine pop fly to not hit them in the face regardless of mask status.
 
Jul 16, 2013
4,659
113
Pennsylvania
I tend to agree with riseball, but I am curious if she has tried any other masks. My DD uses the Rip-It and doesn't have any issues with it. But I have also heard that the Schutt masks are pretty good. Maybe they provide better visibility.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
Face mask is part of DD's body, she does not take or rip it off.

Ifisher thinks she is better without it, I have not heard it.
 

Greenmonsters

Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Feb 21, 2009
6,168
38
New England
Probably unnecessary but no issue IMO as long as she waits long enough to discard the mask away from where the play will be made (don't forget wind drift). Nothing more demoralizing/embarrassing than tripping on a discarded mask and losing an easy out.
 
Last edited:
Jun 11, 2013
2,619
113
In my opinion it's not OK unless she holds on to it. It's different for a catcher who does it in foul territory, but if you leave in base path and runner is trying to get back the it could easily be tripped or worse tripped on. I know that your DD isn't doing it with bad intent, but I don't think it's OK to intentionally throw a piece of equipment on the field.
 

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