This is always a poplar thread on other message boards.

 

What are your thoughts on facemasks, should pitchers wear them? How about 3rd base? I know there are org's that are starting to require all kids to wear them.

 

I think it still should be up to each player and their family. I wouldn't have my daughter play for someone that required them to wear one. That being said she doesn't pitch and over the last year I have been around some really good pitchers that have been hurt pretty bad. I think we are getting to the point were all pitchers will wear them. I know there are several pitchers from lessers schools in the area that I would love to see wear face masks. My daughter doesn't switch hit, but I know she has and will get plenty of bats left handed vs certain teams bc its just not worth a hit.

 

I think as far as coaching goes I would never require a kid to wear a mask but if she couldn't defend herself she wouldn't pitch or play 3rd for me either. There are plenty of kids that can defend themself that have been hurt lately.

 

What are your thoughts?

The corners and pitcher should seriously consider wearing them. My dd made the decision to wear hers, we went back and forth on the issue a lot and her long term health outweighs anything else.

We didn't give our daughters a choice. They can make other bad decisions on their own but this was no choice...wear one or don't step on the mound. No sport or game is worth the consequences imo

In the 5 years I have been with the Newcath program, I have only seen one time that a player came close to taking one of the face. I think it should be left up to the player and her family. My oldest doesn't wear one, however my other two do.

I can live with not making it mandatory but any pitchers family that chooses not too is playing russian roulette with their kids nose,teeth , eyes , mandible , sinus's etc . Best pitcher in the cincy area (IMO) missed most of PGF nationals last summer due to liner off the face , and its happening with more and more frequency . Just wear the mask . please . have your pitchers wear the mask .

I just hope I never see anyone get hurt with a line drive to the face. I believe some day it will be mandatory in some formats. You already have chin strap rules at some tournaments.

Manitoudan[/b];4633543]I can live with not making it mandatory but any pitchers family that chooses not too is playing russian roulette with their kids nose,teeth , eyes , mandible , sinus's etc . Best pitcher in the cincy area (IMO) missed most of PGF nationals last summer due to liner off the face , and its happening with more and more frequency . Just wear the mask . please . have your pitchers wear the mask .

 

Who let this guy on our board, he is signed up on every message board in the Country!!

 

Yes I agree wear the pitchers need to wear the mask, I was in the ER waiting for a couple hours that night when the pitcher (Emily Anderson) was hit at Nationals, one of the scarest nights of my life.

 

But I still say until ASA or another sanctoning body makes it mandatory then it should be up to the player and family. WAY to many coaches out there that don't need to be making decisions for my kid, and as a coach I wouldn't want to make someone do something that is not in the rules, even though I think they should wear them.

We didn't give our daughters a choice. They can make other bad decisions on their own but this was no choice...wear one or don't step on the mound. No sport or game is worth the consequences imo

 

I think I'm going this way with my daughter, she's only been pitching a short time and still has alot to learn on the mound. She doesn't like to wear it , but she's getting use to it. Consequences not worth it !

Our former HS coach made it mandatory for 3rd base to wear one. I think it's a pretty good move. It only takes one time and you'll wish you had one on.

I've got two more strikes to go on here . lol . Notice proper use of the apostrophe and periods at the end of sentences .

With the constant improvement of bats, the ball comes off so much harder now. Yet, there are girls whose skill sets, athleticism, and experience have allowed them to adapt so its difficult to mandate that they be treated like lessor talented players. In the end, the parents should determine what is best for their daughter. I've found that the rationale of finding a prom date is more difficult if you have a broken nose or missing teeth works pretty well.

With the constant improvement of bats, the ball comes off so much harder now. Yet, there are girls whose skill sets, athleticism, and experience have allowed them to adapt so its difficult to mandate that they be treated like lessor talented players. In the end, the parents should determine what is best for their daughter. I've found that the rationale of finding a prom date is more difficult if you have a broken nose or missing teeth works pretty well.

 

I agree with most of this. However, I don't feel like they would be treated like they're less talented, we must realize they're closer to the batter than they are in baseball. That extra distance makes a difference for either gender.

Even the most talented of pitchers can get hit on the mound. Actually, I'm not really sure what role talent plays. Even the best driver in the world can be involved in a car accident...some things are unavoidable (deer for example), right? I guess, as a parent, I see the mask as a way to avoid unnecessary accidents....for there might be times when things are out of my child's control. A couple of years ago, my oldest took a lined shot close to the chin----she had her mask on and smiled at the coach after it was over---because she was wearing her mask. Outcome would've been a lot different minus the mask....and for the record, she's no slacker player either.

 

All girls are required to wear a mask when they bat, so what's the difference? (well, except for the obvious...one's a rule and one isn't) same distance, right?

This is always a poplar thread on other message boards.

 

What are your thoughts on facemasks, should pitchers wear them? How about 3rd base? I know there are org's that are starting to require all kids to wear them.

 

I think it still should be up to each player and their family. I wouldn't have my daughter play for someone that required them to wear one. That being said she doesn't pitch and over the last year I have been around some really good pitchers that have been hurt pretty bad. I think we are getting to the point were all pitchers will wear them. I know there are several pitchers from lessers schools in the area that I would love to see wear face masks. My daughter doesn't switch hit, but I know she has and will get plenty of bats left handed vs certain teams bc its just not worth a hit.

 

I think as far as coaching goes I would never require a kid to wear a mask but if she couldn't defend herself she wouldn't pitch or play 3rd for me either. There are plenty of kids that can defend themself that have been hurt lately.

 

What are your thoughts?

 

I saw our third baseman (normal pitcher and one of best fielders on the team) and take one solid to the forehead (bad hop) last year, it made me sick. From that point on they were REQUIRED for all infielders on our team.

 

Not sure why someone wouldn't want their daughter to play on a team that required them, make no sense to me. I'm not saying all should or should not wear them but what is the big issue if a coach/league required them?