Little help?

OK, the story is a little long, but the video is short:

My MS team had our first scrimmage today against a team coached by a good friend. His DD is my #3 catcher. He also coaches a TB team that his DD plays for (and I have 4 of them on my team). It's all very incestuous.

Anyway, during the 6th inning today this happened:



So that is my buddy's DD catching. His MS (and TB) AC is an ex-catcher from Mizzou. After the inning, I asked my friend if he's been teaching his DD to take the mask off and he says "Yes, that's what she's been taught." I assume by the catcher AC, because after I told him she ought to keep it on he went straight to his AC to chat. Now, my guess is that he was telling AC that I might be teaching his DD the "wrong" way, mainly because he really doesn't know what I've been studying and teaching for the past 2 years (NECC, basically) as we haven't been in the same league.

Anyway, you can see she takes a batting helmet to the face.

I need more ammo to send him to convince him to change his approach. I know that there was a NECC blog post or 2 about this, and I think Advanced had a post or 2 here? Anyway, the more the merrier, so bring it on!

The batter/runner was called out, right? As to the mask, Mine leaves it on, and has been told that she will "KNOW" when to remove it. That particular play? Easy catch except for the 3/10ths of a second it took her to remove the mask. Well that, and, the interference by the batter/runner.

I never take my mask off when I'm chasing down a foul ball or I'm chasing down a pop up. I only take my mask off when I'm commicating with my fielders keeping them abreast of the situation (ie outs and baserunners) or I'm at the circle with the coach or near the dugout with the coach and the infielders.

I know what NECC teaches but I think this is really all personal preference. I understand it's safer to have on but I never wanted my mask on when I was making a play on the ball after the pitch. Most catchers still take it off. The last 3 college softball games I have been too all the catchers removed their mask on plays. I don't think I ever remember seeing a quality catcher tripping on a mask or getting hurt worst due to having the make off. Catchers are more susceptible to lower body injury then anything. Whatever the catcher is more comfortable with and most successful with is what we allow.

Stimer said:

I know what NECC teaches but I think this is really all personal preference. I understand it's safer to have on but I never wanted my mask on when I was making a play on the ball after the pitch. Most catchers still take it off. The last 3 college softball games I have been too all the catchers removed their mask on plays. I don't think I ever remember seeing a quality catcher tripping on a mask or getting hurt worst due to having the make off. Catchers are more susceptible to lower body injury then anything. Whatever the catcher is more comfortable with and most successful with is what we allow.

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While I understand the approach, personal preference should not trump safety in 7th grade (or any sub-adult aged) girls. Just because "this is the way I've always done it" or "I've seen top catchers do it" doesn't make it the best or safest method. This is exactly the stance I need to overcome, because at the end of the day I do not want to have to tell a parent that their kid has a concussion due to teaching or allowing poor catching technique.

Yes, NECC is definitely teaching that girls should not take the mask off under any circumstance AND that they should be wearing it even when casually warming up a pitcher. Especially when you're talking about the hockey-style masks. We will not allow our DD to do any type of catching without it (during a game or otherwise). We've got $5000 of orthodontics invested in those teeth!

The question is why take off the mask?

I think I would leave it alone, it sounds like she has a lot of catching support.

CMMom1740 said:

Yes, NECC is definitely teaching that girls should not take the mask off under any circumstance AND that they should be wearing it even when casually warming up a pitcher. Especially when you're talking about the hockey-style masks. We will not allow our DD to do any type of catching without it (during a game or otherwise). We've got $5000 of orthodontics invested in those teeth!

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Asa rule anyways, players must wear a mask warming up a pitcher.

BuckeyeGuy said:

While I understand the approach, personal preference should not trump safety in 7th grade (or any sub-adult aged) girls. Just because "this is the way I've always done it" or "I've seen top catchers do it" doesn't make it the best or safest method. This is exactly the stance I need to overcome, because at the end of the day I do not want to have to tell a parent that their kid has a concussion due to teaching or allowing poor catching technique.

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I agree that if safety is the reason why you want them to keep it on, we are on the same page. I am not sure I would call it poor catching technique to take it off though. Usually players girls or boys migrate to taking it off at some point as they get older. I guess it's more a visual thing even though the new helmets are much better than the older style. MS ages you have a solid reason to leave it on but as I am sure you know, young ladies at that age have a mind of their own!

Removing a catcher's protective head gear made sense back when it was part of a 2-piece system (i.e., mask and skull cap/earless helmet or, going back in time further, mask and soft hat) and the mask was free to move independently and would routinely obscure vision. What is worn today in FP is not a mask, it is a 1-piece system and, when properly sized, rides much more securely on the face/head than a 2-piece mask. Taking off one of today's helmets makes as much sense as using wooden bats.