DD and Mask

[SCDad]

Baseball is in the lead here. To think otherwise ... sigh.

Baseball has had fatalities, coma inducing head injuries. Been on national TV programs. What the boys conclude, and so far the result is de-rating bats back to being wood.

Softball will follow suit. Never are masks being brought up in baseball. Because once this slippery slope is started, all pitchers will be wearing helmits, chest projectors, shin guards, and will look like catchers.

Sorry, but that is not where this is all headed.

 

[softballphreak]

Minor League pitchers could wear helmets in 2013 | MLB.com: News

 

[softballphreak]

Should pitchers and fielders wear face masks when playing Softball or Baseball?

 

[Easton33]

Easy with the stereotyping! I like gator hunting and agree with YOU Coach Kevin. The ball can comeback too quickly for some pitchers to protect themselves. Potentially having irreversible brain damage vs ???? What is the other sides argument? Doesn't look cool, may hamper pitcher, could discourage recruitment for college, what? None of these things are a valid argument vs possible life changing event. There are and always will be some inherent dangers and you can't guard against all of them but this 1 is an easy fix. Only other situation I would be in favor of mask is third base that plays up too much. Just my opinion.

 

[SCDad]

I will exit this post. In the end, I will probably lose this argument.

To think my DD played baseball through Major 12 without even a face mask while batting. She overhand pitched to the same from 40 foot with nothing more than a ball cap.

I am thankful she made it through without injury and now plays on the high school softball level, playing a position that does not need protection.

Hopefully, I will be blessed with a grandson, or granddaughter, and probably then sit in my rocker and lament about the good ole days.

Later.

 

[softballphreak]

I will exit this post. In the end, I will probably lose this argument.

To think my DD played baseball through Major 12 without even a face mask while batting. She overhand pitched to the same from 40 foot with nothing more than a ball cap.

I am thankful she made it through without injury and now plays on the high school softball level, playing a position that does not need protection.

Hopefully, I will be blessed with a grandson, or granddaughter, and probably then sit in my rocker and lament about the good ole days.

Later.

You didn't lose; your DD didn't get hurt. You're a winner! And we're all thankful she didn't get hurt.

 

[Westwind]

SCDad, this isn't about winning or losing. It's about talking this deal out. Its about ditching a dumb unsupported outdated notion to me.

I thought you stated your side in a respectful way and I am fine with it although we don't agree. The other guy is a complete jerkweed but you were not.

O.k., back at it. Baseball and softball are not the same game and boys and girls are different. A baseball pitcher finishes in a different position than a softball pitcher. Seems to me a sb pitcher is a wee bit more vulnerable than a bb pitcher at finish.

If they change the bats, I will rethink this. Like I said before though, if the other teams are using hot bats dd will be wearing a mask. I'm a ways from requiring the bubble wrap. I think slippery slope arguments are usually..... Impractical and stupid.

Gotta go. Going to go let my kids run with scissors while eating junk food but at least they will be wearing masks.

 

[canyonjoe]

I still don't think fielders should have to wear mask, but after this weekend the pitchers should. Our pitcher had a ball that missed her head by about 1/2 an inch. Never even got her glove up. Our other pitcher had one similar, but a little lower and was able to get her glove on it and almost catch, but had it been higher it would have hit her.

 

[Easton33]

I still don't think fielders should have to wear mask, but after this weekend the pitchers should. Our pitcher had a ball that missed her head by about 1/2 an inch. Never even got her glove up. Our other pitcher had one similar, but a little lower and was able to get her glove on it and almost catch, but had it been higher it would have hit her.

Good post and glad it didn't take an injury to change your mind. A strong 12u player can send the ball back too fast to react. My moment of enlightenment came when DD, (I am fairly quick, athletic, and under 40) fired the ball back at me and it hit my glove hand before I could react. I pitch with a catchers mask on now! I am definitely not a "bubble wrap" parent or coach but some coaches ask their third baseman to play too close to react. I have even seen coaches move their girl up anticipating a bunt and with 2 strikes, not move her back. IMO playing from under 50' to batter, put a mask on.

 

[slingnit]

I wondered why they were optional. The legal society! Bet that's why we have center lines on the highways.

so you are telling me you would drive head on into traffic if there were no center lines painted?? the rules aren't the problem in your case, sounds more like you are lacking common sense. if you need someone to tell you every aspect of how to plan your day safely then face masks would be the least of your worries