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Jul 5, 2016
652
63
That was something I hated about the Army - the helmets. Heavy steel pots. No choice of colors or webbing.
 
Feb 4, 2015
641
28
Massachusetts
If the preference is about the "fit" of the helmet, then I wouldn't care as a coach. It could be a safety issue if the team helmet doesn't fit right. If it's she prefers of the "look", then that's a different story; just wear the team helmet.

In the NFL they have different helmets depending on position, preference, safety, etc. They just all get painted the same.

Also, depending on age, I don't want the kid going up to bat thinking about how she hates her helmet. Ridiculous yes, but we all know how our DD's minds work... to some extent.
 
Jul 16, 2013
4,659
113
Pennsylvania
To me it depends on the age and goals of the team:

12u / 14u -- We honestly didn't care. We wanted everyone to wear the same color. But we didn't make a big deal out of it. At that age our focus was gaining experience and developing the players.

16u / 18u -- We started getting involved with college showcase tournaments. We wanted to look professional and have everyone in the same gear. That said, if someone came to us asking to use a different helmet, we would not have turned them down, provided it matched our gear. I don't remember this ever happening... I'm pretty sure everyone wore the team helmet.

23u -- Completely different situation now... Most of our players show up with their college helmets. It's actually pretty cool seeing all the different colors and logos lined up in the dugout.
 
May 6, 2015
2,397
113
Also, depending on age, I don't want the kid going up to bat thinking about how she hates her helmet. Ridiculous yes, but we all know how our DD's minds work... to some extent.

this is part of it, she likes the feel of it better, and DW and I like the old helmet much more from a protection standpoint.
 
Jul 16, 2018
120
18
I've stated a few times on this forum that alot of this stuff just goes beyond stupid.

Give my daughter a uniform shirt and i can get the pants and her equipment and play ball. The 3-5 different uniforms all sublimated with matching bat bag every year is lunacy. I understand the sponsorship side of things and that in itself is a completely different scenario. however if you're not sponsored who gives a damn.

My son gets a new jersey in the fall and 1 in the spring. He's had the same bat bag since he was 12 years old. He's even worn the same helmet since he was 12 years old (dont ask me how thats possible he just does) We provide our own pants/socks and play great competition (including college showcases) and not once has a coach ever not talked to a kid because of their uniform and have sent many of kids to play college ball. Most teams are charging $2000 a year and $1500 of it is on uniforms and bags. Just play ball
 
May 6, 2015
2,397
113
I've stated a few times on this forum that alot of this stuff just goes beyond stupid.

Give my daughter a uniform shirt and i can get the pants and her equipment and play ball. The 3-5 different uniforms all sublimated with matching bat bag every year is lunacy. I understand the sponsorship side of things and that in itself is a completely different scenario. however if you're not sponsored who gives a damn.

My son gets a new jersey in the fall and 1 in the spring. He's had the same bat bag since he was 12 years old. He's even worn the same helmet since he was 12 years old (dont ask me how thats possible he just does) We provide our own pants/socks and play great competition (including college showcases) and not once has a coach ever not talked to a kid because of their uniform and have sent many of kids to play college ball. Most teams are charging $2000 a year and $1500 of it is on uniforms and bags. Just play ball

hear hear!
 
Jun 6, 2016
2,714
113
Chicago
I suppose I could see requiring a certain brand if there's some kind of sponsorship deal involved, but I don't even care about the color.

I'm certainly not going to force a girl to wear a helmet others wear. I always, always hated that (I'd wear a bigger helmet with my hat underneath because I was so creeped out by wearing helmets others used). I have a couple girls who won't wear helmets others have worn. She can wear what she wants as long as it's legal. I can't imagine being bothered by this.
 
Jan 5, 2018
385
63
PNW
I've stated a few times on this forum that alot of this stuff just goes beyond stupid.

Give my daughter a uniform shirt and i can get the pants and her equipment and play ball. The 3-5 different uniforms all sublimated with matching bat bag every year is lunacy. I understand the sponsorship side of things and that in itself is a completely different scenario. however if you're not sponsored who gives a damn.

My son gets a new jersey in the fall and 1 in the spring. He's had the same bat bag since he was 12 years old. He's even worn the same helmet since he was 12 years old (dont ask me how thats possible he just does) We provide our own pants/socks and play great competition (including college showcases) and not once has a coach ever not talked to a kid because of their uniform and have sent many of kids to play college ball. Most teams are charging $2000 a year and $1500 of it is on uniforms and bags. Just play ball

Totally agree and....YET....on our team the GIRLS love their sublimated matching uniforms. Feel Good=Play Good so they say. We do a simple jersey in fall w/socks and players provide pants. One full uniform in the spring.... $80-100 depending on what you want and materials used. These DD's of our can be peculiar...and its very interesting to see how much 14yo's get excited about their NEW uniform. SMH.
 
Oct 3, 2011
3,478
113
Right Here For Now
as a coach, would you have a problem if a player used a non team helmet, provided they painted it team colors (easy enough, team helmets are a demarini navy blue, only standout difference would be lack of demarini logo). she really prefers her Schutt from her old team (and DW and I think it offers better protection as well).

I do not get this really. outside of college, players can choose there bats, gloves, and most of the time cleats based on their personal preferences. why do this on helmets. to me, best thing would be go get some spray paint in team color(s), and have a painting party at beginning of season. remove cages and snaps, mask up padding and any labels, etc., spray helmet and cages, wait 24 hours, touch up as needed, wait 24 hours, reassemble.

I buy helmets for the entire team for a reason, which is, to have them all uniform in color, as well as nature. Short answer, yes, I'd have a problem with it.
 
Dec 5, 2012
4,143
63
Mid West
As a 12 year ARMY vet, I can understand the value of a uniform better than most. A UNIFORM means just that, UNIFORMITY. ONE TEAM, ONE GOAL, and everyone is equal. Any kind of individuality is going against the grain.
 

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