Hockey style helmets causing more concussions?

[Amy in AZ.]

I didn't know anything about this, until my former catcher nephew told me. So, I googled the topic and found a lot of information. Some think that MLB catchers are suffering more concussions or appear to be, or maybe teams are more cautious and checking their catchers, now.

But whatever the reason, catchers are suffering more concussions from foul balls.

It is thought that the old style 2 piece helmets and masks, gave more and absorbs the blow, while the hockey style mask stays put and the blow is transferred to your head.

I do know that my Game Face moves when hit, I didn't know that that is what it should be doing.

I will continue to read the articles. There are a lot of them.

 

[James Smith]

If I was going to guess, I would say that they are paying more attention to it. MLB spends a ton of money making sure that their equipment is good.

It might be interesting if a cheap 2 piece catcher’s helmet is safer than a cheap hockey style helmet, which would require me to think too much and probably be wrong anyways.

 

[guero_gordo]

The general rule has been that hockey style masks offer more coverage, but the traditional masks offer better protection up front, which is where most of the high velocity impacts are going to be.
The helmets are changing noticeably though, so IF the design were the source of those statistics, the numbers will reflect that, (depending on how fast the stodgy MLB catchers adopt new gear).

 

[Amy in AZ.]

So, if the mask on the hockey style could just "give" a little .... I wonder if that would help.

 

[Amy in AZ.]

Here is an old style that comes in colors.
Speed Elite Traditional Mask

 

[Sweet Lou]

I'm with James, I think the awareness and diagnosis of concussions has come a long way and has more to do with it than the style of mask. I don't have data to support this but I recall a number of MLB catchers missing time with concussions in recent years and I've seen it with both style masks.

Amy do you have a link with a particular study that has been done? That would be an interesting read.

 

[InsidePitch]

DD took a wicked foul tip to the facemask of her hockey style helmet. I knew it rattled her because she took off the helmet and walked around a bit. The blue stopped her looked into her eyes and talked to her. I asked after the game how much it hurt and she said it was pretty bad, mostly in the hinge of her jaw. I know this is an area that can cause concussions so I'd be willing to look at something that could absorb this type of hit better.

I don't know that the old style mask would keep you from encountering the same type of shock through the jaw. I have seen some masks that seem to have some sort of shock absorber where attached to the helmet. I wonder if that helps lessen the blow.

 

[guero_gordo]

So, if the mask on the hockey style could just "give" a little .... I wonder if that would help.

The "clamped on" design of the hockey mask won't let it move away with the ball like the old school, but it seems like additional padding could make up for it. Old masks are designed to come off, hockey masks are designed to stay on. It seems that the newer helmets have thicker padding, but also improved visibility over the older designs like DD's Easton Stealth from about 4 years ago.

Features borrowed from football like "floating" the cage with bushings (a la Wilson) would also help because about the only place you can get a square hit on a hockey helmet is the cage and forehead.

It may end up that baseball and softball helmets, like catcher's mitts will evolve into separate products due to different needs to absorb impacts. It appears that current lineups differ only cosmetically.

I'm curious how many hockey goalies get concussions, but them things is huge.

 

[Eric F]

Is the NOCSAE standard required for the helmet part of a mask-and-helmet setup? I now the hockey-style masks carry the NOCSAE stamp (just like batting helmets), but I haven't seen one on a separate catcher's helmet.

 

[Amy in AZ.]

I can't swear whether this is correct or not. I am cutting and pasting.


Skull caps are not allowed in HS ball anymore. A few years back the ruled was changed to wear a onepiece helmet and mask combo (Hockey style or Little League style) Most all masks and helmets meet NOCSAE standards and have the embossed insignia on the shell or interior of the mask.