- Feb 3, 2011
- 1,880
- 48
Approved Eyewear List (USA Lacrosse)
http://www.ncaapublications.com/productdownloads/WLC15.pdf (NCAA Women's Lax Rules)
https://www.medstarhealth.org/sport...es-in-Scholastic-and-Collegiate-Lacrosse.aspx (Sport-specific injury data)
"In 2003, US Lacrosse voted to amend the rules of women's lacrosse to highly recommend the use of protective eyewear. Concerns about product availability, economic burden on programs, and other timing issues led to the decision to wait until January 1, 2005 to mandate protective eyewear usage."
That last link (MedStar) contains specific medical data that was collected over a 4-year period and proved, at least during that window of time, that there were 'significantly' more eye injuries in the women's/girl's game than the men's/boy's game prior to the rule change. Men wore helmets, the women did not. Even though women and girls certainly had the right to use protective equipment, the only reasonable conclusion was that the women's game was more dangerous to the head/eyes of the players than the men's game.
Now, by mandate, all female lax players use eye protection. Some wear goggles, while others wear partial masks. USA Lacrosse has specific testing requirements for approved protective equipment, and there are manufacturers who've decided that making compliant products are good for their bottom line. Masks are a part of their sport's culture now and no one really bats an eye about it. (no pun intended)
As a believer in personal accountability, I do not support a mandate for infielders in fast pitch softball, but before it could become a reality, some group would need to do the same sort of research that they did for women's lacrosse. If I had to predict who might sponsor this research, I'd lean toward an equipment manufacturer seeking to prove that there exists a significant need for their product. However, if such proof was presented, I would be more than open to changing my position on this.
http://www.ncaapublications.com/productdownloads/WLC15.pdf (NCAA Women's Lax Rules)
https://www.medstarhealth.org/sport...es-in-Scholastic-and-Collegiate-Lacrosse.aspx (Sport-specific injury data)
"In 2003, US Lacrosse voted to amend the rules of women's lacrosse to highly recommend the use of protective eyewear. Concerns about product availability, economic burden on programs, and other timing issues led to the decision to wait until January 1, 2005 to mandate protective eyewear usage."
That last link (MedStar) contains specific medical data that was collected over a 4-year period and proved, at least during that window of time, that there were 'significantly' more eye injuries in the women's/girl's game than the men's/boy's game prior to the rule change. Men wore helmets, the women did not. Even though women and girls certainly had the right to use protective equipment, the only reasonable conclusion was that the women's game was more dangerous to the head/eyes of the players than the men's game.
Now, by mandate, all female lax players use eye protection. Some wear goggles, while others wear partial masks. USA Lacrosse has specific testing requirements for approved protective equipment, and there are manufacturers who've decided that making compliant products are good for their bottom line. Masks are a part of their sport's culture now and no one really bats an eye about it. (no pun intended)
As a believer in personal accountability, I do not support a mandate for infielders in fast pitch softball, but before it could become a reality, some group would need to do the same sort of research that they did for women's lacrosse. If I had to predict who might sponsor this research, I'd lean toward an equipment manufacturer seeking to prove that there exists a significant need for their product. However, if such proof was presented, I would be more than open to changing my position on this.