Question about fielding bunts

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softgabby

Gear Empress
Mar 10, 2016
1,073
83
Just behind home plate
I've been going back in my little bit of spare time and have been studying catcher skills videos from where girls are making videos for recruiting purposes and posting them on YouTube. I've been watching them and trying to pick up on some new tendencies and other things to kinda try to up my game a little.

One thing I've noticed when watching these vids are catchers are removing their helmets (even the hockey-style helmets we wear nowadays) to field bunts. When I was learning the position my freshman year of high school, that we never remove the helmet. But seeing this on bunts is making me rethink a little. Is it better to remove the helmet (even though it's hockey-style) when fielding bunts or are we better off leaving the helmet on?

I would love to hear feedback and opinions on this.
 
Oct 26, 2019
1,375
113
Leave it on if it’s the hockey style. The hockey style is meant to be left on.

if it is the old school two piece style don’t worry about taking it off - it will fall off on its own :)
 
Oct 3, 2011
3,478
113
Right Here For Now
I've coached and watched numerous games throughout my career. I've also taught and worked with 100's of catchers. Every time I see a catcher remove their helmet on the field of play in a game situation, I ask myself, "Why?" I have yet to come up with a good answer.

Agree. Leave it on. I see no advantage of taking the newer hockey style helmets off at any time. Yet there are numerous reasons for keeping it on...primarily protection.
 
Last edited:
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
I have yet to see an old-school 2-piece mask setup in current softball. It’s not NOCSAE approved.

I’m a FIRM believer that any time the ball is in play on the field, a catcher should keep her mask on her head. If the mask is moving around and making it hard to see, it need to be adjusted. Also, a catcher fielding a bunt play is almost always a hurry play. Any moment lost in removing the mask is a waste.
 
Oct 26, 2019
1,375
113
I have yet to see an old-school 2-piece mask setup in current softball. It’s not NOCSAE approved.

I’m a FIRM believer that any time the ball is in play on the field, a catcher should keep her mask on her head. If the mask is moving around and making it hard to see, it need to be adjusted. Also, a catcher fielding a bunt play is almost always a hurry play. Any moment lost in removing the mask is a waste.
I think the folks still in the “remove it” camp are because of the old two piece though. Leaving that thing on was a liability.
 

radness

Possibilities & Opportunities!
Dec 13, 2019
7,270
113
I've been going back in my little bit of spare time and have been studying catcher skills videos from where girls are making videos for recruiting purposes and posting them on YouTube. I've been watching them and trying to pick up on some new tendencies and other things to kinda try to up my game a little.

One thing I've noticed when watching these vids are catchers are removing their helmets (even the hockey-style helmets we wear nowadays) to field bunts. When I was learning the position my freshman year of high school, that we never remove the helmet. But seeing this on bunts is making me rethink a little. Is it better to remove the helmet (even though it's hockey-style) when fielding bunts or are we better off leaving the helmet on?

I would love to hear feedback and opinions on this.
It's a fantastic thing you are continually working and wanting to become a better player.
Good for you 👍


Would also say keep it on, masks/helmets are molded to the head in a way that should not be jiggly or disturbing performance.
 
Oct 1, 2014
2,219
113
USA
If you trained and practiced with it on...leave it on. Do you feel that somehow it is impeding your performance? Given the quality and mechanics that are on display in many skills/recruiting videos I wouldn't suggest copying them in general. As was said earlier, take off your lid only when talking to the pitcher, directing the defense (and have plenty of time) or maybe when the ESPN cameras are rolling during a time out. ;-)
 

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