- May 29, 2015
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Next will be the helmets. Then facemasks?? Saw where high school catchers in baseball are going to have to have tested chest protection. I believe evoshield is marketing something. Will they have to pull their shirt up and show the umpire?
Not next. Already.
We have to check bats for proper stamping and damage (intentional and unintentional). This is my issue. There is no information beyond the rulebook saying “cracks, dents, rattles, and burrs” as far as what constitutes a damaged bat. The bat manufacturers won’t provide anything. We beat this point into the ground here a few months ago.
Then we have to check batting helmets for the NOCSAE stamp and for damage (cracks). We have to check the face mask to ensure if it is secure, not missing any screws, and ensure it also has the NOCSAE stamp. (Those inked stamps that rubbed off technically make the helmet illegal.)
Then we have to check the catcher’s helmet for teh NOCSAE stamp and to ensure the face mask is secure, no screws missing, and no damage to the helmet (straps duct taped, etc.).
The only reason we are not checking fielders’ masks is because there is no standard for them. (Another issue we beat to death here earlier this year.)
Starting this year NFHS Baseball will be requiring new catcher’s chest protectors to also have the NOCSAE stamp on it, so that is something we will be watching for as well.
So ... every game (conservatively):
48 bats
24 batting helmets
24 batting helmet face masks
4 catcher’s helmets