Coach, do your pitchers wear masks?

[PJR202]

We require them for all our MS infielders. OF can do whatever they want. If a parent told me they want their kid wearing one in the OF than I would be fine with that. If a parent told me they DIDN'T want their kid wearing a mask in the infield, I would politely tell them they're welcome to go find a travel team.

 

[NJZoo]

Firstly, I would love if my son (11) wore a mask when pitching. I wish it was an accepted practice in baseball. (Yes, I could do it on my own, but I'm not that brave).

We are lucky, in that our 3 pitchers are all left side infielders when not on the mound. They are all very good fielders and athletes. That said, all of our 14U infielders/pitchers wear masks.

When we were at 12U, we had a girl on our 14U team taking extra gounders after practice without a mask (one of our best players). Bad hop, broken nose, out a month.

 

[Rolling Hard]

I personally believe your girls should wear a mask but I'm not going to argue with parents over it. Resonantly at a camp with multiple college coaches present and one told the pitchers if you wear a mask I will not recruit you. About half removed their mask and at least two that I know said, I'll never play for him. My DD wasn't there.

Drives me crazy. My son a few years back had to wear a helmet with a facemask while playing pitcher (pitching machine age). DD didn't have to pitching at the same age. Boys didn't have to have a facemask on the helmet but girls did. The younger the age the softer the ball but it bounces higher and more likely to hit you in the face. Just ranting for no reason but all the above bothers me.

What would drive a coach to tell pitchers if they wear a mask he won't recruit them?Name?

 

[Tango]

What would drive a coach to tell pitchers if they wear a mask he won't recruit them?Name?

What would drive a coach to tell pitchers if they wear a mask he won't recruit them?Name?

Valdosta State

 

[uncdrew]

We grown men who claim to be awesome athletes hide behind a screen when pitching and whine for months when getting hit on the shin. But then some think a kid should play without a mask.

I know a young player who says it's "Sissy" to wear a mask, yet turns her head when fielding grounders.

 

[_MIA_]

All this and a softball will do more damage than a baseball.

Hit at the same velocity sure.

 

[CoachJD]

I started making everyone wear them at the HS level last year, with some exceptions (parents could opt out, for example). Pitchers didn't get that choice.

My dilemma is when the sun is positioned in a way where they need to wear a visor or sunglasses and the mask won't allow for it. So what's more dangerous, not wearing a mask but being able to see the ball or wearing the mask but having no idea where the ball is? I've thrown BP to our girls on those fields when the sun is in that position. It's terrifying how blind the sun leaves you.

I don't know what the right answer is there. I've yet to find a mask that can accommodate the visor. Sunglasses, maybe, but some players don't like them.

 

[wheresmycar]

Valdosta State

That does not seem to be the case any longer...

 

[PapaBear]

College pitcher daughter has worn a mask since her first pitch in 10U. At 43 feet now (36 feet edge of the line) why take the chance and if a coach or parent feels any different pitch 1000 pitches and get back to us.

 

[wheresmycar]

I started making everyone wear them at the HS level last year, with some exceptions (parents could opt out, for example). Pitchers didn't get that choice.

My dilemma is when the sun is positioned in a way where they need to wear a visor or sunglasses and the mask won't allow for it. So what's more dangerous, not wearing a mask but being able to see the ball or wearing the mask but having no idea where the ball is? I've thrown BP to our girls on those fields when the sun is in that position. It's terrifying how blind the sun leaves you.

I don't know what the right answer is there. I've yet to find a mask that can accommodate the visor. Sunglasses, maybe, but some players don't like them.

My DD wears sunglasses under her mask all the time... And there are some brands of face mask with a clip on visor as well.