No, I do t think it should be required.

1) Girls won't wear them unless mandated by parent or coach in most cases. They say they are hot, uncomfortable or have some other reason not to. 2) Parents in some cases have no clue how HOT the ball is coming at their daughters and some just aren't involved enough to know that there is a danger.

3) Some coaches think that it's up to the parent or player to decide.

 

What ends up is many girls take the field without them especially at younger ages without them.

 

Had Points 1, 2 and 3 in middle school a few years ago on the team. A couple of girls wore them but vast majority didn't, then after a few games the girls wearing them quit because the others weren't wearing them. Then one line drive off of the third baseman's forehead and 2 horrifying minutes of unconsciousness and guess what...the coach made the decision for them and took it out of the girls and parents hands, ALL infielders would wear them from then on. BTW Third baseman was the best player on the team and the ball was there before she could react, so it's not like it was a player ill suited to play the position.

 

Saying all of that I have absolutely NO PROBLEM if they are mandated by School, Coaches or KHSAA!

Agreed. But there are parents that wouldn't put their kids in car seats or seatbelts, if it wasn't the law. Heck, some don't do it anyway. A KHSAA by-law will mean that ALL of our pitchers will be protected.

 

Too many parents want the coach or organization to parent their kid. If you think your kid should wear one, make her. If you think it is necessary and don't make her wear one because she doesn't want to, you are a bad parent.

So why not make baseball pitchers wear them? I have seen more line drives hit up the middle than I have seen in softball. I have seen more orbital fractures in baseball than softball.

One middle school softball coach in our district has a team rule that all players wear a mask. Even outfielders.

Babies and infants can't decide for themselves. Softball players can.

 

Sixteen year old drivers can decide for themselves whether or not they want to wear a seatbelt...however, it's the law.

So why not make baseball pitchers wear them? I have seen more line drives hit up the middle than I have seen in softball. I have seen more orbital fractures in baseball than softball.

 

I haven't, nor have I heard about about them. Sounds like something I'd be interested in researching when I have time.

No, I do t think it should be required.

 

Because...?

I can see pitchers required due to how close they are and the fact that when they release the ball, they are in an odd position to be able to defend themselves whereas the other infielders are already in a set position if that makes sense. So I guess my question is, are the infielders in much risk?

I can see pitchers required due to how close they are and the fact that when they release the ball, they are in an odd position to be able to defend themselves whereas the other infielders are already in a set position if that makes sense. So I guess my question is, are the infielders in much risk?

 

If they have the proper mechanics they are in a better fielding position than a baseball pitcher.

Too many parents want the coach or organization to parent their kid. If you think your kid should wear one, make her. If you think it is necessary and don't make her wear one because she doesn't want to, you are a bad parent.

 

2) Parents in some cases have no clue how HOT the ball is coming at their daughters and some just aren't involved enough to know that there is a danger.

 

"You are a bad parent" is a pretty strong statement…I would tend toward Point #2 by Jumper Dad…some parents also overestimate their daughters ability, like a lot of sports parents, so I don't see this as a "bad" parenting issue necessarily.

If they have the proper mechanics they are in a better fielding position than a baseball pitcher.

I've seen softball players at the highest levels get hit in the face by a line drive due to the short distances in softball. Softball is MUCH more dangerous for infielders than baseball is and that is why it is a good idea to have them wear a mask.

I've seen softball players at the highest levels get hit in the face by a line drive due to the short distances in softball. Softball is MUCH more dangerous for infielders than baseball is and that is why it is a good idea to have them wear a mask.

 

Say what you want but I have seen many more BASEBALL players get line drives hit back at them then softball and that is playing the sport in some of the best tournaments in the country. So because Chapman (Cuban missile) got hit in the face with a line drive do you think he should wear a face mask now? If a kid doesn't want to wear don't make them. It is like the face mask on the helmets why are we not having baseball players wear them? Don't they get hit in the face by a thrown or batted ball. This is girl vs boy thing in my opinion. I am in the medical field and have watched/played sports for the majority of my life and I don't agree with making this requirement.

Say what you want but I have seen many more BASEBALL players get line drives hit back at them then softball and that is playing the sport in some of the best tournaments in the country. So because Chapman (Cuban missile) got hit in the face with a line drive do you think he should wear a face mask now? If a kid doesn't want to wear don't make them. It is like the face mask on the helmets why are we not having baseball players wear them? Don't they get hit in the face by a thrown or batted ball. This is girl vs boy thing in my opinion. I am in the medical field and have watched/played sports for the majority of my life and I don't agree with making this requirement.

You've seen more baseball players get hit because 1) there is more baseball played in this country 2) probably not around softball a whole lot yourself.

 

As far as making it their choice that in a lot of cases will result in them not wearing them. MLB allowed helmets for years but players didn't wear them when they could, so MLB ended up making them required. Taking the decision for safety out of the players hands.

You've seen more baseball players get hit because 1) there is more baseball played in this country 2) probably not around softball a whole lot yourself.

 

As far as making it their choice that in a lot of cases will result in them not wearing them. MLB allowed helmets for years but players didn't wear them when they could, so MLB ended up making them required. Taking the decision for safety out of the players hands.

 

You have no clue how much softball I have watched or played. I grew up in one of the best states to play the game, Texas, and played in some of the best tournaments in the country growing up. My point is are we going to make high school baseball pitchers wear face masks now because pitchers have gotten orbital fractures as well after getting hit in the face by a batted ball?

 

Let me add this, if a kid wants to wear the face mask I have no problem with it but to make a requirement is what I am not for.

Edited May 5, 201412 yr by memyselfandi