Pitching Mask and College

[riseball]

Email college coaches and ask their opinions directly. Don't guess what they think.

The safe response to that email question from a complete stranger would be to say that it doesn't matter- no matter what your actual opinion is.

I would be surprised if you received a response.

 

[riseball]

...Male machoism keeps the protective cages off of the batting helmets in the college and professional leagues in baseball. Luckily, college softball and the women's softball NPF don't have to deal with the stereotypical male machoisms. The protective face mask is part of the TB, HS and college softball game...

So why do you think players go without the mask on the batting helmet in college? To your point, with the exception of ISF players all grew up wearing a mask on their batting helmet. Yet many ditch it as soon as they can.

 

[cuzmail]

On a positive note, one of, if not the top 2018 player was recruited by and committed to OU. She wears a mask in the circle.

 

[PA SB Dad]

The bottom line is that there are many many many more TB players than there are spots on a college roster. If you are one of the best players out there, you will get recruited, mask or no mask. If you are not, then you will not get recruited, mask or no mask. I think too many focus on the mask itself as the reason some players are "overlooked", and not the actual talent of the player. If you throw 65, hit your spots, and have nasty movement pitches, you can wear a mask and get recruited. If you are throwing fat 50 mph fastballs down the middle, not only will you not be recruited, but you should wear the mask because you are in danger of being hurt badly. If you want to wear the mask, wear it and don't worry what other coaches/players do or think. It is not worth the time amount of angst spent on the topic since most youth softball players (with or without a mask) are not going to play college ball.

 

[slingnit]

Has anyone's dd (who wears a face mask) been recruited to play college ball? Thanks in advance.

One on here that wears a mask will be playing for a team that was ranked #1 for a good part of lat year.

 

[fastpitch]

2 out of 3 of our Pitchers on our Travel Ball team have decided that they don't want to wear face masks anymore. The reason is, they feel that college coaches will not take them seriously and think that they are poor fielders if they wear a face mask. Apparently they have this notion in their heads that coaches will strike them off the "list" if they wear a mask. My dd is on the fence. She wants to continue wearing one but fears that she'll get passed over if she wears one. Has anyone's dd (who wears a face mask) been recruited to play college ball? Thanks in advance.

While there will be that occasional exception. Nowadays recruitment will happen based on skill. Not based on a mask. If the pitcher has the goods most coaches won't care about a mask. I know this from more than a few coaches I have spoken to. If your DD is comfortable in a mask just let her wear it.

 

[Coach JV]

Email college coaches and ask their opinions directly. Don't guess what they think.

Just what a college coach needs his/her mailbox filled with is questions from prying parents.
Parents who interfere are frowned upon by coaches. After all, who is going to be on the field at the
prospective college? DD or daddy/mommy? I am close with a D1 coach who rescinds offers from students
who come on a visit with a parent and the parent hops into the front seat of the car for the ride over to
the fields. THE FRONT SEAT IS FOR THE RECRUIT DAD! Zip your lip and ride in the back. (rant over)

 

[riseball]

Just what a college coach needs his/her mailbox filled with is questions from prying parents.
Parents who interfere are frowned upon by coaches. After all, who is going to be on the field at the
prospective college? DD or daddy/mommy? I am close with a D1 coach who rescinds offers from students
who come on a visit with a parent and the parent hops into the front seat of the car for the ride over to
the fields. THE FRONT SEAT IS FOR THE RECRUIT DAD! Zip your lip and ride in the back. (rant over)

Sounds much more like hyperbole than real world experience. Have a hard time believing any coach would be that short sighted. But then again I am sure they are out there.

 

[teammom2]

I just came across this article this morning.

What Hockey Pucks and Softballs have in Common? - Softball Journey - Help for Parents, Players & Coaches

 

[Greenmonsters]

Sounds much more like hyperbole than real world experience. Have a hard time believing any coach would be that short sighted. But then again I am sure they are out there.

No doubt, but just as certain is that some of those parents are out there too! I think most coaches are focused on recruiting players to help the team and keep their job and just want to make sure that the parent won't be a hindrance. Really, once a package is delivered, who wants the mailman/UPS/FEDX delivery person hanging around to offer advice and opinions?