Batters are essentially the same distance to the pitcher and wear batting helmets. If the ball has a possibility of coming back at the pitcher as a comparable speed, why would it not make sense for the pitcher to be protected.

 

I find it odd that those in the "against" camp have no reasons that involve safety...it's essentially that being safe should be a choice.

 

I have heard plenty of coaches say that it affects vision of corner infielders. I just don't understand all of you that are so die hard for masks can't make your kid wear one without KHSAA parenting for you. If you want your kid to wear one, fine, make her. Others might not want their kid to wear one.

Batters are essentially the same distance to the pitcher and wear batting helmets. If the ball has a possibility of coming back at the pitcher as a comparable speed, why would it not make sense for the pitcher to be protected.

 

I find it odd that those in the "against" camp have no reasons that involve safety...it's essentially that being safe should be a choice.

 

Exactly. Wearing a fielding mask should be and is a choice.

 

Should the KHSAA require pitchers and corner infielders to wear a HeartGuard protector? Players have died from balls hit to the chest, or at least the risk is there.

Again, I say No. Good product and protection, but to wear or not to wear should be left to the player/family.

Exactly. Wearing a fielding mask should be and is a choice.

 

Should the KHSAA require pitchers and corner infielders to wear a HeartGuard protector? Players have died from balls hit to the chest, or at least the risk is there.

Again, I say No. Good product and protection, but to wear or not to wear should be left to the player/family.

 

Should batting helmets and catchers gear be a choice, too? Where do we draw the line at making safety a choice rather than a requirement?

I still believe that it is a parent/player decision and do not doubt the need for safety.

It makes many of us cringe when Shelby steps to the plate and the girl at 3rd moves up. More so when she isn't in a mask.

I've seen Coach Coffey trying to get the player to move back. "I guarantee that she is not going to bunt". (you would think her coach would have already been telling her)

 

I personally could get behind it being mandatory with a phased in approach. Starting with the younger players where they are more pliable, more adaptable, and less concerned about appearances. By time they reach varsity, it's just as much a part of the kit as a glove and cleats.

-It was mentioned that "my club team doesn't make me". It should be there too

 

Imposing it in an immediate and for all manner would be very disruptive to a lot of players.

I still believe that it is a parent/player decision and do not doubt the need for safety.

It makes many of us cringe when Shelby steps to the plate and the girl at 3rd moves up. More so when she isn't in a mask.

I've seen Coach Coffey trying to get the player to move back. "I guarantee that she is not going to bunt". (you would think her coach would have already been telling her)

 

I personally could get behind it being mandatory with a phased in approach. Starting with the younger players where they are more pliable, more adaptable, and less concerned about appearances. By time they reach varsity, it's just as much a part of the kit as a glove and cleats.

-It was mentioned that "my club team doesn't make me". It should be there too

 

Imposing it in an immediate and for all manner would be very disruptive to a lot of players.

 

And there we have it...vanity is the number one reason girls CHOOSE not to wear them..."They don't look cool/pretty/whatever"

 

That's why you can't let them make the decision.

Wonder how many on here has actually seen, live and in person, a player taking a ball to her face. You get there and her face looks like someone has beat her with a bat. Her eye barely in the socket and her nose to the side. She saying she can't see. If she says anything at all because she is out cold. I mean have you been there in person to help her. Just wondering. I've seen it in high school ball and travel ball. You know what else is kind of interesting is that once the player gets hit the next time she plays or even if she plays again she will have a mask on. You can ask those girls who have never been hit and they will probably say oh I don't need a mask and there mom or dad or coach oh they don't need a mask than they take one to the face and see how there mom or dad or coach may feel. Trust me if you have been there in person helping that kid it will change your view. I myself believe in facemask because I have been there and seen it. You now have some men slow pitch pitchers wearing head gear. But it can be your choice, your kid, your player decision.

I have that's why I support making them mandatory!

Welcome to BGP Silverspoon!

So we are talking about someone 35-40' away from a hitter and someone 2' away. A little different to me.

 

Have you ever taken a foul tip directly into the mask ? Not that much difference IMO

Oh and I fell to mention her teeth cracked and missing.... and not only seeing it the sound of it when it hits her... you never forget the sound and what you see..... Thanks for the welocome jumper_dad...

Should batting helmets and catchers gear be a choice, too? Where do we draw the line at making safety a choice rather than a requirement?

 

Not the same. Every time a pitcher throws the ball it is coming towards the catcher and hitter. The catcher has no time to react to a foul tip.

I have seen two pitchers take line drives off of the mask in the last two seasons. Both pitchers remained in the game instead of going to the hospital. Had they not been wearing a mask, both would have definitely had serious injuries. One's first words were "this thing just saved my life". I rue the day that I have to witness an ambulance come get one of these precious young ladies off of the field because they were not wearing face protectors.

Wonder how many on here has actually seen, live and in person, a player taking a ball to her face. You get there and her face looks like someone has beat her with a bat. Her eye barely in the socket and her nose to the side. She saying she can't see. If she says anything at all because she is out cold. I mean have you been there in person to help her. Just wondering. I've seen it in high school ball and travel ball. You know what else is kind of interesting is that once the player gets hit the next time she plays or even if she plays again she will have a mask on. You can ask those girls who have never been hit and they will probably say oh I don't need a mask and there mom or dad or coach oh they don't need a mask than they take one to the face and see how there mom or dad or coach may feel. Trust me if you have been there in person helping that kid it will change your view. I myself believe in facemask because I have been there and seen it. You now have some men slow pitch pitchers wearing head gear. But it can be your choice, your kid, your player decision.

I have seen it, too. Exactly why I support a mandate.

Oh and I fell to mention her teeth cracked and missing.... and not only seeing it the sound of it when it hits her... you never forget the sound and what you see..... Thanks for the welocome jumper_dad...

Their vanity goes right out the window when they have broken facial bones and broken teeth.

My DD (is a senior and wears a mask when playing first base) for one reason: Momma says so!!! She doesn't like to wear a mask and has asked several times over the years not to wear the mask. This year she told us she did not want to wear a mask this season (her senior year) said the bar gets in her vision when catching a ball in the dirt! She also pointed out that college girls don't wear a mask! Guess What She is wearing a Mask when playing first. Why you ask? Because Momma said so!!!! Our decision came more out of the reasoning there will be life after softball! Odds are its not going to kill you (Not saying it couldn't happen) but whether its dental work or facial reconstruction is the risk really worth it? Its a simple piece of equipment!!! You are not going to make a career playing the game of Softball best case scenario is you may get your education paid for!

 

As far as mandating it by rule. I think someday somebody will get hurt bad enough where they will mandate it, but until then its a PARENTING decision not a coaches decision! If your little girl gets hurt not wearing a mask its not the coaches fault its not the KHSAA fault! Just my 2 cents worth and I TRULY HOPE IT NEVER HAPPENS TO ANY YOUNG LADY!