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

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Jul 24, 2013
91
6
Hey all,

President of my local rec league 250 ish girls in spring. Our goal first and foremost as a REC league is FUN, Safety, softball love, and development... followed by winning somewhere at the end...

I am pondering policy proposals to require pitchers to wear a facemask. 3rd base POSSIBLY... but pitchers for sure. My local GSSA boss lady says it hasnt happened nationally for youth purely due to litigation fears... that if they require the mask, if a girl is hurt while wearing it they will sue... which I think is pu**y.

I just cant think of a good reason for pitchers that this isnt required. Stud defensive player or not, a pitcher cannot react and defend her grill or melon from a comebacker... we have all seen the videos.. and that is mostly older kids that are developed defensively.. a 10 year old...? cmon.

The league will provide each team one for team use... do a bulk order to cut the price for the kids who want their own..

So. Why should I NOT do this?

Appreciate any insight!
 
Aug 29, 2011
2,581
83
NorCal
Our rec league instituted a mandatory face mace policy for pitchers this year.

I saw one girl drilled in the mask with a one hopper right back up the middle. After 2-3 warmup pitches she was back in the circle and finished the game with no issues. Not sure that would have been the case if no mask.

I understand the legal fears in this litigious society and the fact that there are currently no standards in place. That said I totally agree with you pu**y comment.
 
Jul 24, 2013
91
6
Ill stand proud if some dirtbag lawyer sues me for a kid being barely hurt with a mask vs hiding behind that baloney and her getting her face crushed.
 
Mar 23, 2014
621
18
SoCal
Our league has mandatory mask for pitchers for that last 4 years at least. If they didn't, I'd still make DD wear one. With The bat technology these days, check swings can cause damage. In the fall, DD took a hard line drive to the facemask from a 14u player......it knocked the mask sideways but she was just fine. No scratch, in bruises and no pain.
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
I'm actually stunned that the insurance firms haven't mandated them...

Also Rip-It mask has a $5000 peace of mind guarantee/policy and a team/league discount which should help you with any idiot who things you could get sued (despite no one getting sued for wearing a mask that I am aware of).

Rip-It and Schutt are the only two brands I would consider for a league. Both are excellent quality and construction.
 
Feb 7, 2013
3,188
48
About 6 years ago when DD was 8, our local ASA rec league started mandating that all pitchers wear some sort of face mask/fielding mask while in the circle. I think it's a good thing and my DD continues to wear one in TB (14U). Some will claim that their individual freedoms will be taken away if it is mandated but I really see no downside to it nor have I heard any lawsuits associated with mandating the use of masks at the rec level.
 
When I coached 10U Fall Ball a few seasons ago, I told the parents and team my rule was if you didn't wear a mask, you didn't pitch. We had a lot of 8Us moving up who wanted to try pitching. 11 girls got in the circle that fall and they all wore masks with no questions. I've yet to see any 12U or even 14U or HS age pitching without a mask in our area at any level.

DD is a second year 12U pitcher and she's never thrown a live pitch without a mask.
 
Nov 18, 2013
2,255
113
Why just the pitcher? Young Rec girls are more likely to get hit by a thrown ball.
 
Aug 21, 2011
1,345
38
38°41'44"N 121°9'47.5"W
So. Why should I NOT do this?

Appreciate any insight!

Because you would be requiring safety gear that has not been NOCSAE approved. You can still provide them and you can still highly recommend them. Me, personally, I would not even think of requiring a fielder to wear safety gear that has not been tested and approved.
 

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