Same with my DD. I never felt comfortable with the plastic one, the rip-it seems a lot more solid. I guess that is why it weighs more but I have never heard DD say anything when she switched.
3rd baseman hit with line drive
- Thread starter Amy in AZ.
- Start date
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Same with my DD. I never felt comfortable with the plastic one, the rip-it seems a lot more solid. I guess that is why it weighs more but I have never heard DD say anything when she switched.
I don't have any news on the teen that was hit in the face. I take for granted that she is improving.
Game Face was the first mask to come out. I bought it then and that is why I stick with that brand. (I am old and set in my ways.) I took a blow to the face mask, pitching to a 14 yo. I am certain that it would have shattered my face. All that happened with the mask on, was the blow knocked the mask a little side goggling. But, I was gun shy for 3 days. I knew what could have happened.
I called Game Face and left a message about what had happened and should I replace the mask. I got no reply. So, to be safe, I bought a new one.
My 3yo granddaughter wears the wire Rip It, so she will never know the difference.
What are football face guards made of? Are there wire ones? I believe that hockey is plastic.
Game Face was the first mask to come out. I bought it then and that is why I stick with that brand. (I am old and set in my ways.) I took a blow to the face mask, pitching to a 14 yo. I am certain that it would have shattered my face. All that happened with the mask on, was the blow knocked the mask a little side goggling. But, I was gun shy for 3 days. I knew what could have happened.
I called Game Face and left a message about what had happened and should I replace the mask. I got no reply. So, to be safe, I bought a new one.
My 3yo granddaughter wears the wire Rip It, so she will never know the difference.
What are football face guards made of? Are there wire ones? I believe that hockey is plastic.
My DD also wears the EvoShield and game face. These are her American Express cards, she never leaves home without them. She pitches and plays 3B.
Most football face masks are very similar to the Rip-it material, but a little thicker in general.
- Dec 2, 2012
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My heart sinks every time I hear or read of a situation like the OPs. It's just unnecessary. My DD plays 3rd base and will never be without a mask again after a similar event last fall. She was playing last game of the day in an exposure tournament, when she took a line drive smash to the face. The coach in the 3rd base dugout said she almost got her glove up, in fact he thought the ball nicked the top of her glove. Fortunately she was wearing a Rip-it mask because the impact lifted her off her feet and planted her on her butt. The steel bar on the mask was bent, and she suffered a fat lip and one of her front teeth was loosened, but all of that was inconsequential when I think of what would have happened in the absence of the mask. I witnessed the play from the first base dugout, and my heart stopped when I saw her go down....
For those of you who think these girls can react fast enough to protect themselves....IMHO you're wrong. My DD has lightning fast reflexes, and she only got close. I personally don't like anything to be mandated, but in a game where the corners and pitchers play this close, I think coaches and parents should demand those girls wear masks.
In my daughters case, she got a good night's sleep and got back on the field the next day (fat lip and all) and played a couple of great games. Without the mask, she very likely would have never played the game she loves again.
For those of you who think these girls can react fast enough to protect themselves....IMHO you're wrong. My DD has lightning fast reflexes, and she only got close. I personally don't like anything to be mandated, but in a game where the corners and pitchers play this close, I think coaches and parents should demand those girls wear masks.
In my daughters case, she got a good night's sleep and got back on the field the next day (fat lip and all) and played a couple of great games. Without the mask, she very likely would have never played the game she loves again.
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- Jan 10, 2013
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wow, good to hear Joe. Wearing that mask changed her life!
- Mar 3, 2013
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You said the key point you used to! We all used to do things we dont anymore. I hope they force it to be a rule that at least the infield has to wear it. Just think if you was wearing it tossing tennis balls you would not of got a broke nose. LOL.
I throw my bp at 20ft. and I promise u that I will not get out there with out a screen.
I throw my bp at 20ft. and I promise u that I will not get out there with out a screen.
- Dec 2, 2012
- 127
- 16
I didn't mean to make the event sound dramatic. It was for all of us for a few minutes, but after the initial shock of what happened, all involved seemed to brush it off and get back to playing ball, which is what they should have done. I'm very proud of my daughter for wanting to get right back "in the saddle" so to speak. Having the correct training and equipment worked.
The bigger point is, the odds of catching one in the face are long, but if it happens, there simply is not enough time to react defensively when playing as close as is required to play at the most competitive levels. IMHO good technique will allow the girls to protect their center core, but there is not enough reaction time to elevate their gloves to a position above their shoulders before impact. I don't claim to be an expert in this area, but my experience watching the hot corners and the pitchers react, would suggest there simply isn't enough time when a ball is truly crushed.
I also don't want to open the can of worms relative to "modern" bats or rule changes that require the use of certain equipment. We as adults and parents bear the responsibility to properly equip these minor athletes properly for the role they assume on the field. Once they hit their 18th birthday, the decision to wear a mask or not becomes the athletes...IMHO. If my DD decides to remove the mask while playing any position other than 1st, 3rd or P, I'll support her decision prior to her 18th birthday, but as long as she plays third base and is under 18...she will wear a mask.
