When my 9yo is making a play at the plate, and the incoming runner is wearing a helmet with a steel cage, I SURE AS HELL want my DD to have her face equally protected.
I can't find it right now, but somewhere (likely posted by Chaz) there is a video clip of an un-masked catcher getting multiple teeth knocked OUT OF HER HEAD by the runner's knee in a bash-up play at the plate. This is all the evidence anyone needs to see to make up their mind.
I will NEVER tell a catcher to take off her mask during a play on the field. If a coach ever tells my DD to toss the mask, she knows enough to refuse, and I will have a discussion with the coach.
I can't find it right now, but somewhere (likely posted by Chaz) there is a video clip of an un-masked catcher getting multiple teeth knocked OUT OF HER HEAD by the runner's knee in a bash-up play at the plate. This is all the evidence anyone needs to see to make up their mind.
I will NEVER tell a catcher to take off her mask during a play on the field. If a coach ever tells my DD to toss the mask, she knows enough to refuse, and I will have a discussion with the coach.