Mask or No Mask

[djcarter1966]

At least the article is somewhat honest, showing both sides.

I still don't get it, are they really going to pass on a stud pitcher or bomb hitting third baseman because they wear a mask.

I think it is also a timing thing in 10 years most kids will not have ever seen a pitcher without a mask coming up through travel ball, when more than half the ace pitching recruiting class is wearing masks that coach will change their mind because they value there job more than their stubbornness. Try explaining to the AD why stud pitcher from your state who wanted to come to your school but signed with your rival instead and just beat you in the conference championship game was passed on because she wore a mask.

....now wearing a mask in the outfield...probably not really required

 

[FP26]

I am beginning to think that some college coaches alleged aversion to facemasks may have less to do with the actual player and more to do with other factors.

I think everyone has their own opinion on this topic. We have been at two pretty large clinics over the past 12 months. Both of which had numerous college coaches that participated in Q/A sessions, and in both instances the mask question was asked.

PA (January 16) - Several D1, D2, and D3 coaches in attendance. Most coaches did not admit to being deterred by masks. At least their claims were that they are more focused on a player's abilities and grades. The mask was irrelevant in their evaluation. One coach went as far as saying "If she is a good enough pitcher, she can wear 3 masks if she wants to". In fact, one of the D1 coaches that was in attendance has a pitcher on his roster that wears a mask.

Ohio (July 16) - Several D2 and D3 coaches in attendance. I think there was one or two D1 coaches, but not major schools. Several coaches at this clinic openly stated that they do not favor masks. One stated bluntly that "if a player wears a mask, I will not consider her for my team".

As a junior in high school, my DD is still pro-mask and will not pitch without it. At a younger age, this was a requirement enforced by DW and myself. However, she is 16 with a driver's license. I feel that if I can trust her to drive a car on her own, I can trust her to make other decisions as well.

 

[riseball]

At least the article is somewhat honest, showing both sides.

I still don't get it, are they really going to pass on a stud pitcher or bomb hitting third baseman because they wear a mask.

I think it is also a timing thing in 10 years most kids will not have ever seen a pitcher without a mask coming up through travel ball, when more than half the ace pitching recruiting class is wearing masks that coach will change their mind because they value there job more than their stubbornness. Try explaining to the AD why stud pitcher from your state who wanted to come to your school but signed with your rival instead and just beat you in the conference championship game was passed on because she wore a mask.

....now wearing a mask in the outfield...probably not really required

If they truly are a stud then mask or no mask they will get recruited. I have seen this first hand with my players. Fielding is secondary, the question is can you hit? But if the kid is marginal and on the visit the coach finds out that the mask is a symptom of a helicopter parent, then it may be game over. Keep in mind that parents are often the reason that a kid gets passed up. The mask is a convenient , pardon the pun face saving excuse. It is far more palatable to tell the folks back home that Susie did not get recruited to Bigname U because of a mask than it is to say that she did not have the skills, and/or the parents had yet to cut the cord.

 

[Rocketech1]

Several coaches at this clinic openly stated that they do not favor masks. One stated bluntly that "if a player wears a mask, I will not consider her for my team".

Exactly, and this is the reason I am so vocal about this topic is that there still is coaches and parents who think wearing a mask is a sign of "weakness" (ex. if they were a better fielder they wouldn't need a mask; if they were a better pitcher and not throw meatball pitches down the middle of the plate they wouldn't get a line drive to the face, etc.).

IMO we are in a transition phase in the sport where 5-10 years from now, it won't even be a topic of discussion as the vast majority of infielders will be wearing some sort of face protection. I think we are a step in the right direction...

 

[obbay]

not to beat the subject to death, but if a coach feels that use of the mask is a red flag, why does he/she ask to be anonymous? would be beneficial for both prospective recruit and coach to know ahead of time so neither wastes their time.

as far as fair and balanced article goes, 4 out of the 6 examples were flat out against it and the other two were not in favor, they were neutral on the issue.

that's what bothered me about this article, published by the executive director of the NFCA, it says you are either in favor of mandating it for everyone or you are reasonable and see it as a tool for whimps. she completely skips over the existence of most of us who feel that it's ok but let the player/family decide.

... and it's that kind of narrow-minded thinking that keeps the debate alive, for now.

 

[schwabach]

I've always felt that lion hunters who don't use their bare hands are under-skilled and I won't give them a second look. For some reason, I am having trouble finding skilled lion hunters.

 

[riseball]

I've always felt that lion hunters who don't use their bare hands are under-skilled and I won't give them a second look. For some reason, I am having trouble finding skilled lion hunters.

So who is more skilled and confident, the lion hunter that stands in the open using only a spear or the one that hides inside a truck with a rifle?

 

[julray]

So who is more skilled and confident, the lion hunter that stands in the open using only a spear or the one that hides inside a truck with a rifle?

The one that get's the lion more often. The one with a Rifle probably has a higher kill rate, let's say .700, the one with the spear, probably .400. Also the one with a spear probably suffers much more serious injuries which keeps him out for a good part of the season.

No really fair for the Lion however, let's say the Lion wears protective gear, the kill rate for the riffleman probably drops to .300, the one with the spear, .100.



PS: I have no data to back up my figures, just used some logic and common sense here

 

[sleepwalker]

I think that it would be interesting to put together a list of college pitchers who entered their college pitching careers not wearing a mask and finished their college pitching careers wearing a mask. There have been some stud pitchers in the NCAA that have left the game wearing a mask. Opinions will change based on life experiences.

 

[riseball]

The one that get's the lion more often. The one with a Rifle probably has a higher kill rate, let's say .700, the one with the spear, probably .400. Also the one with a spear probably suffers much more serious injuries which keeps him out for a good part of the season.

No really fair for the Lion however, let's say the Lion wears protective gear, the kill rate for the riffleman probably drops to .300, the one with the spear, .100.



PS: I have no data to back up my figures, just used some logic and common sense here

The question was not which was more effective. The question was which is more skilled and confident. Although it may make more sense to be in the protective confines of the truck with a rifle, you cannot argue that although ill advised the hunter in the open with the spear must have greater skill and confidence to be successful. FWIW - I personally prefer not to take a knife to a gunfight.