I am now a true believer in EvoShield

[GunnerShotgun]

Probably none that says they don't either. So , what is the problem with being on the side of caution?

Why not wear a clown nose instead?

Yes the research has shown, and the companies that make these agree they cannot stop or reduce the chance of Commotio Cordis.

So if your goal is to protect your child from bumps and bruises than buy one of these (why not wear shin guards as well?).

If this gives you a peace of mind (while understanding that it offers no protection from that line drive to the heart) than buy one of these.

Or alternatively as suggested by doctors and researchers save the $90 and do the following:

1. Have a medical emergency plan in place for all games and practices.
2. Take (or retake) a CPR refresher course
3. Invest in a portable defibrillator.

Hopefully one day they will make an effective heart/chest guard, but I don't see how when you actually understand what the problem is.

It's a balance between, hot bats, hard balls and better trained athletes that makes this a tough subject to tackle without neutering the game we all love.

 

[Amy in AZ.]

Maybe I can look at that other product, too and compare the two. It might be an instance of getting what I pay for.

 

[Mylil32]

1. Have a medical emergency plan in place for all games and practices.
2. Take (or retake) a CPR refresher course
3. Invest in a portable defibrillator.
4. Buy an Evo Shield

Mine always wears one when I know she's going to face older girls, she's 14U and sometimes faces 17 year olds. If nothing else SHE feels better with it and that's all that matters!

 

[gophert]

My daughter has never pitched in a game without an evoshield. It's just part of what she wears. She has got nailed in the ribs while up to bat and smiled at the pitcher all the way down the first base line. Ask my daughter who had the upper hand after that at bat!

 

[SoCalASABlue]

(why not wear shin guards as well?).

It's a balance between, hot bats, hard balls and better trained athletes that makes this a tough subject to tackle without neutering the game we all love.

I don't know - let's ask the male pitchers in slow pitch why they're such wimps for wearing shin guards.

Neutering? Really?

 

[straightleg]

My daughter played 23u this last weekend in a tournament filled with d-1, d-2 pitchers. A pitcher on her team that was very top level, and extremely athletic. Lifted some serious weights and was very fast and fit.
I am positive her relex's were as fast as any female on the planet....
She wore a game face when she pitched. I thought she was smart for doing it

My daughters team made it to the finals and faced 7 teams. 2 pitchers had face protection.








Straightleg

 

[GunnerShotgun]

Neutering? Really?

I don't think heart guards are neutering the game. My point with the heart guards is that much like the power bracelets that are so popular, if you "think" they help, great. But understand their limitations and what they can and can't do.

If we were to go to wood bats, soft/squishy balls, and double home plates that would be neutering the game.

 

[PA SB Dad]

There is no amount of research that these devices protect against sudden cardiac arrhythmia and death. The number of cases per year are too rare, so there is no sample size large enough to be able to demonstrate with statistical significance that these decrease the risk of death. In fact, there are cases of catchers with chest protectors on that were unfortunately hit in the chest over the heart at the right (or wrong) point in the cardiac cycle to cause an arrhythmia.

My point in posting this anecdote is that this pitcher had no chance to protect herself, and would have been seriously injured, if not killed, without it. I think it's value speaks for itself given that she took a rocket shot square in the chest and was NOT injured. I bought one for my DD two years ago as an overprotective parent. I am glad I made the investment even though she has not had a similar incident.

 

[softballphreak]

Why not wear a clown nose instead?

Yes the research has shown, and the companies that make these agree they cannot stop or reduce the chance of Commotio Cordis.

So if your goal is to protect your child from bumps and bruises than buy one of these (why not wear shin guards as well?).

If this gives you a peace of mind (while understanding that it offers no protection from that line drive to the heart) than buy one of these.

Or alternatively as suggested by doctors and researchers save the $90 and do the following:

1. Have a medical emergency plan in place for all games and practices.
2. Take (or retake) a CPR refresher course
3. Invest in a portable defibrillator.

Hopefully one day they will make an effective heart/chest guard, but I don't see how when you actually understand what the problem is.

It's a balance between, hot bats, hard balls and better trained athletes that makes this a tough subject to tackle without neutering the game we all love.

Why alternatively? Do it all!

 

[GunnerShotgun]

There is no amount of research that these devices protect against sudden cardiac arrhythmia and death. The number of cases per year are too rare, so there is no sample size large enough to be able to demonstrate with statistical significance that these decrease the risk of death. In fact, there are cases of catchers with chest protectors on that were unfortunately hit in the chest over the heart at the right (or wrong) point in the cardiac cycle to cause an arrhythmia.

My point in posting this anecdote is that this pitcher had no chance to protect herself, and would have been seriously injured, if not killed, without it. I think it's value speaks for itself given that she took a rocket shot square in the chest and was NOT injured. I bought one for my DD two years ago as an overprotective parent. I am glad I made the investment even though she has not had a similar incident.

No. The research has been done. Please take the emotion out of it and read the facts. If it makes your or your daughter "feel" better, great, I do understand. Don't be under the illusion that it's actually providing protection from something fatal.

"Current commercially available chest barriers are not sufficiently effective in preventing chest-blow–induced sudden cardiac death and, in fact, probably offer only a false sense of security to athletes, families, and the general public. Therefore, the efforts described herein to produce an effective chest barrier to prevent commotio cordis deserve our attention and support."

Source: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/122/2/437.full.pdf