Mask or No Mask

[Michael Goodin]

In keeping with the topic, masks are not going to prevent concussions (ask a football player about helmets) nor have much effect, if any, on the severity of a concussion. I think it is more likely that masks prevent or limit bone and eye injuries. DD1's orthodontist insisted that she wear a face mask on the field at all time to protect against damage to her teeth and braces.

 

[schwabach]

In keeping with the topic, masks are not going to prevent concussions (ask a football player about helmets) nor have much effect, if any, on the severity of a concussion. I think it is more likely that masks prevent or limit bone and eye injuries. DD1's orthodontist insisted that she wear a face mask on the field at all time to protect against damage to her teeth and braces.

My expectation has always been that a mask would protect against impact injuries - teeth, broken bones around the eye socket, possible loss of vision in an eye, smashed nose. I don't think about masks and concussion prevention at the same time.

 

[MNDad]

In keeping with the topic, masks are not going to prevent concussions (ask a football player about helmets) nor have much effect, if any, on the severity of a concussion. I think it is more likely that masks prevent or limit bone and eye injuries. DD1's orthodontist insisted that she wear a face mask on the field at all time to protect against damage to her teeth and braces.

That was my point. Most mask mandates are clueless about what they’ll actually protect against. They do offer a level of safety and there’s dozens of good reasons to wear them. However concussions aren’t one of them. The argument that times have changed and we have safety equipment available so kids should be required to use it is ridiculous. The exact same reasoning could be used for mandating helmets, which actually do offer limited protection against concussions and far more protection against facial injuries, yet no one is talking about mandating those.

 

[Michael Goodin]

I agree. There are certain types of protective gear that should be required because of a highly likely occurrences (getting hit in head with a pitch or a thrown ball while running the bases). Other equipment that provides some level of protection against moderately likely occurrences are best left up to the parents/players (fielding masks). OTOH, I think pitchers should wear masks and I believe they should be required at the younger ages because of the short distance between home and the pitcher's place and the slower reaction times of younger athletes. At 14U and up, pitchers wearing or not wearing a mask is a decision for the parents, players and coaches. My preference is that they wear masks, but I can only require my DD to wear one.

 

[quincy]

I am going to say my piece.

DD has always wore a mask, each thier own. Ump stopped game because DD was flopping on field.

As a coach I have stopped a couple games.

 

[Lenski]

Ask any concussion specialist and they will tell you this chart is out of date. Over 90% of people who experience a concussion do not lose consciousness. The severity of a concussion is not determined by a loss of consciousness. DD2 experienced a concussion doing a tumbling routine on a trampoline track. She over-rotated on a tuck, landed on the back of her head. Never lost consciousness. Even though she hit a forgiving surface, the results of the ImPACT showed she experienced a major trauma. She was not cleared to resume gymnastics or school work for three months. Severity is independent of loss of consciousness. Every case is unique and the severity cannot be determined by a field observation.

More info: Sports Concussion Symptoms and Treatments | UPMC

It's not that it's out of date, rather they do not want the grading system to be used for the purpose of clearing anyone of their concussion in a particular time frame. Each person is different as to the way they heal fully from a concussion. You and I could be hit in the head exactly the same but be at different grade levels and fully heal at vastly different lengths of time. That's why there are no expected healing rates in the chart.

There's tons of different charts, and tons of different classifications concerning concussions. It's one of those things where nobody agrees on generally accepted method.

 

[Buttermaker]

Saw a P take a line drive off the forehead yesterday. Used to not care if my P's wore a mask but am starting to think it's PFG idea...

 

[riseball]

I was at a 42 team tournament this weekend, played 7 games and nothing happened. Not a single random incident to provide meaningless anecdotal evidence. However, there was the old lady that got hit by a foul ball while sitting in her chair... On a positive note, now that we are past Labor Day hot dog and ice cream sales are down which is sure to lead to fewer drownings at the beach.

 

[wheresmycar]

10u Fall ball... sent out my standard email to parents before first practice. I always mention the league requirement of fielders needing either a mask or a mouth-guard. I think it's the perfect rule, as it gives the illusion of choice... but after a week or two of trying to keep up with a mouth-guard (never-mind trying to keep it clean enough to use), EVERYONE opts for the face-mask. And I tell the parents that in my email.

One of the parents new to our league shows up to first practice, and notices ALL the girls wearing masks... and says in a kind of surprised tone... "So, you were serious about everyone using the face masks?" I was like... "Yep"

Anyway, as a coach, I am glad my league stepped up with a rule (all the way up to 17U), so I don't have to fight that battle individually as a volunteer coach.

 

[quincy]

I do not need someone else telling me what to do with daughter, I like your leaque made it a rule.