Yes...that's what it means
Mask Watch
- Thread starter knightsb
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Thanks for doing the research and putting this together. I just have a couple comments: First, my DD wears a mask by HER choice while playing anywhere in the infield. Started wearing it at 12U when she pitched- no longer pitches. When she moved to HS ball decided to wear it anywhere in infield. She normally plays SS. She did get recruited to a top DII program.
Second, the thing I don't get is why some college coaches are AGAINST masks? If a a young woman doesn't want to wear a mask- fine, but why would you be against your player wearing something that could help keep her on the field? I believe I heard Cal's starting SS took a ball to the face and has/had an injury that kept her out of the lineup for awhile. If a mask prevents that- why not let players wear it? I'm not for mandating, but wonder why people get so weird about players who do wear them. I can guarantee you my DD is in no way afraid of the ball and the mask has in no way inhibited her play. She just happens to like her face the way it is
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Second, the thing I don't get is why some college coaches are AGAINST masks? If a a young woman doesn't want to wear a mask- fine, but why would you be against your player wearing something that could help keep her on the field? I believe I heard Cal's starting SS took a ball to the face and has/had an injury that kept her out of the lineup for awhile. If a mask prevents that- why not let players wear it? I'm not for mandating, but wonder why people get so weird about players who do wear them. I can guarantee you my DD is in no way afraid of the ball and the mask has in no way inhibited her play. She just happens to like her face the way it is
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Thanks for doing the research and putting this together. I just have a couple comments: First, my DD wears a mask by HER choice while playing anywhere in the infield. Started wearing it at 12U when she pitched- no longer pitches. When she moved to HS ball decided to wear it anywhere in infield. She normally plays SS. She did get recruited to a top DII program.
Second, the thing I don't get is why some college coaches are AGAINST masks? If a a young woman doesn't want to wear a mask- fine, but why would you be against your player wearing something that could help keep her on the field? I believe I heard Cal's starting SS took a ball to the face and has/had an injury that kept her out of the lineup for awhile. If a mask prevents that- why not let players wear it? I'm not for mandating, but wonder why people get so weird about players who do wear them. I can guarantee you my DD is in no way afraid of the ball and the mask has in no way inhibited her play. She just happens to like her face the way it is
Being a second year 14u TB coach, I will be the first to admit that I don't have all of the answers. However, those with more experience than myself when it comes to college recruiting and playing have said on other threads that many "old school" college coaches feel as if the players that wear masks (right or wrong) do not have enough confidence in their fielding abilities. Also, they feel that Pitchers that wear them may not be hitting their spots well enough so the Pitchers are afraid of putting one too far over the plate and getting a comebacker too fast for them to field. In other words, the coaches feel that girls that wear masks are not good enough to play for them.
This "college coaches won't recruit a player with a mask" statement drives me nuts. Am I wrong thinking that if that statement is correct then college baseball recruiters should be doing "cup checks"- the same logic should say if a baseball player wears a cup then they don't trust their fielding ability (sorry if that isn't appropriate for a softball forum but geez lol) or a catcher crazy enough not to wear shin guards is more trusting of their fielding ability and therefore a more desired recruit??
I would have to say that it is a poor analogy. Cups are have been around for half a century or more and are as much a part of the game as any other piece of equipment.
Let me toss it back to you. How many baseball players wear a mask? What would you expect the reaction to be if they did? Maybe softball is a bit more evolved.
I completely agree with this sentiment. There should be no stigma attached to keeping a player safe. Unfortunetely, according to others, there is. Personally, I don't cate what they think. I like my DD's face arranged just the way it currently is. In the course of the past 11 years, I have seen too many bad hops and close calls to my corners and pitchers not to be concerned with injury.
You are right. There should be no stigma attached to wearing a mask. This is a parenting decision which will hopefully be aligned with the desires of the DD. And when it is all said and done if she wears a mask and has the goods, she will do just fine. There are lots of teams that need talented players.
The question about what I would expect the reaction to be if a baseball player was wearing a mask-did make me stop and think for a while- My answer is: He would deserve a XL cup (if you know what I mean...)
Hopefully there are recruiters that look at things differently for example- who says that the "more desired" mask less recruit isn't wearing one because she is afraid to look different or stand out. It may take more nerve to wear something that everyone else isn't.
Hopefully there are recruiters that look at things differently for example- who says that the "more desired" mask less recruit isn't wearing one because she is afraid to look different or stand out. It may take more nerve to wear something that everyone else isn't.
Personally, I think the cup-to-mask analogy is a fair one, at least to certain positions on the field. Pitcher and the corners. In fastpitch, especially with the prevalence of bunt/slappers, it would seem to me there is a higher likelihood of facial injury to 1) the pitcher who is approx 35-38 feet away at release, and 2) the corners who could be playing in. It's not a confidence issue when it comes to self-assessment of their own abilities. Why is that ever assumed by coaches?? It's simply a sober-minded acknowledgement that freak occurrences do occur, God forbid. A young woman in the circle or at 3B may play 20 years without ever needing the mask for protection, but if she wants to wear it to protect herself from that <1% chance of taking a line drive to the teeth, for the love of all things sane and right, let her wear it without fear of recrimination. Especially recruitment decisions based on unfair and unproven assumptions such as, "She's wearing a mask, so she obviously isn't confident in her fielding abilities. We better not recruit her." There is more to the mask than self-confidence.
