Catcher Myth #27 Catcher's Should take their Mask Off...

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Nov 12, 2009
365
18
Kansas City
Catcher Myth #27 Catcher's should take their mask off when the ball is in play... Years ago with the design of catcher's masks, this was a true statement. Today this thought is no more acceptable than putting your infant on your lap when driving or not using your seat belts. We are much more aware of the safety risks for athletes and specifically catchers. Particularly concussion risks. Three summers ago I had 3 of my catchers hit in the head catching infield practice by teammates who lost track who to throw to. One resulted in a concussion. In the limited time I have been involved in softball, I have watched a game stopped for 10 minutes when a 12 year old was knocked unconscious on a tag play at home, broken noses when catchers collided with the backstop on a pop up, broken teeth, damaged braces... I have watched my own daughter and many of my catchers escape injury and their masks sent flying in collisions at home plate.

Whether it's baseball or softball, there is nothing macho about taking your mask off to face a base runner trying to score by plowing you over. You can see just as well with a modern day face mask and a bit of practice. Don't risk permanent injury to play your position.

Many well meaning coaches and parents still yell for kids to take their mask off at the games I go to, not realizing the jeopardy a catcher faces leaving their head unprotected.

We work with catchers to leave their mask on whenever they are on the field, they train to field pop ups with it on as well as tag plays. This line of thinking is catching on too. We know of baseball coaches that bench their catchers if they take their mask off when the ball is in play. I wish all coaches could adopt that commitment to their player's safety. Whether it's a tag at home or a pop up or shagging throws at infield practice, please always wear your face mask. Always practice like you play.

For some great picture examples, click on the title link above. Every coach, parent and catcher should watch the video below. There is no "safe way" to remove your mask with the ball in play.

[video=youtube_share;-xgBGpICS48]http://youtu.be/-xgBGpICS48[/video]
 
Dec 5, 2012
4,143
63
Mid West
New England Catchers Camp.... covers this as well! They say to keep it on if poss. They also talk about the number of injuries resulting in rolled ankles due to stepping on or tripping over the thrown down mask.
 

JJsqueeze

Dad, Husband....legend
Jul 5, 2013
5,436
38
safe in an undisclosed location
the catcher on DDs new team takes off her mask for almost everything, so far the extra time has resulted in a couple of missed foul ball outs on plays that would have been simple if she kept the mask on, and a few runs on passed balls, I am praying that it does not result in injury in the future.
 
Jun 4, 2013
305
0
Orange County, CA
It's crazy, I've seen some pretty hard collisions at the plate. Luckily the catchers have all kept thier helmets on and I have not witnessed an injury. DD herself has been involved in about a dozen or so herself. I mostly worry about the possibility of her hand or arm since she never takes of her helmet. I have a few of these YouTube videos saved on my favorite list and whenever any coach even mentioned the helmet off I pull out my phone and quickly educate them. I will never submit my DD to that kind of a risk for a "possible" play at the ball no matter what. A trip to the ER or maybe an extra out, weight the difference and it's not even an option IMO
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
the catcher on DDs new team takes off her mask for almost everything, so far the extra time has resulted in a couple of missed foul ball outs on plays that would have been simple if she kept the mask on, and a few runs on passed balls, I am praying that it does not result in injury in the future.

Are you in a position to educate the coaches, parents, and player?
 

JJsqueeze

Dad, Husband....legend
Jul 5, 2013
5,436
38
safe in an undisclosed location
Are you in a position to educate the coaches, parents, and player?


I'll chime in when the opportunity presents itself but I am out of the unsolicited advice business. The coach and I talk softball training so if catching comes up I will mention something just to plant the seed about how I am training my younger daughter to keep the mask on.
 

collinspc

Softball Dad
Apr 23, 2014
213
18
Pittsburgh PA
Spring season coach was insisting that DD take off her mask for plays. I told him that she was perfectly capable of making any play with the mask on as with out. I have two catching, DD and DS both have taken hard hits that the mask has protected them. DD in the same game caught a foul ball with out removing her mask (no problem acquiring the ball and tracking to her mitt) and took a knee to the face on a tag play. Two games ago DS was bowled over at the plate taking an elbow to the chest and a batting helmet to the face, mask kept him from being hurt other than being stunned from the collision. Side note: runner was immediately called out and ejected from the game as he made no attempt to slide or avoid, he actually slowed and lined DS up for the hit, DS never dropped the ball and had the presence to hold mitt up to show Ump.
 
Last edited:
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
I have had one coach tell my DD to take her mask off on passed balls. He and I had a conversation about that issue moments later. I informed him that she most certainly would NOT be taking her mask off any time the ball was live, and gave him my reasons. He's a good guy, and we have enough respect for each other that he accepted my position on the issue without a problem. My DD also understands the reasons behind leaving the thing on her head, and isn't likely to be swayed.
 

Ken Krause

Administrator
Admin
May 7, 2008
3,911
113
Mundelein, IL
The whole taking the mask off thing is just another example of old school coaching that doesn't get updated.

If only there was some way that people across the country could share information with one another, so everyone could stay updated on the latest thinking and techniques. We could call it, I don't know, the Internet.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
The whole taking the mask off thing is just another example of old school coaching that doesn't get updated.

If only there was some way that people across the country could share information with one another, so everyone could stay updated on the latest thinking and techniques. We could call it, I don't know, the Internet.

Great idea!!!....but I'm not sure about that "Internet" name. Sounds to tech-y. How about we call it "Bob"? "Bob" sounds much more user-friendly.
 

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