It should not be mandated. The rules are fine just the way they are. Its a parents decision.

Competitive softball isn't for everyone.

you draw the line at forcing other peoples kids to wear unnecessary equipment. People have been playing softball for a long time without masks.

you draw the line at forcing other peoples kids to wear unnecessary equipment. People have been playing softball for a long time without masks.

 

Yep! And football players used to play football with soft helmets and no face masks. Sports evolve.

you draw the line at forcing other peoples kids to wear unnecessary equipment. People have been playing softball for a long time without masks.

 

Girls at lower levels hit the ball as hard as college players did a decade ago...As my Ol' Buddy RCC9 said sports evolve. As Bats get hotter and players become more specialized to Softball you have to adapt.

 

It makes no sense to not protect the players.

I would not want to put a few power hitters I know up at the plate with some very young, inexperienced players and have something tragic happen. I have seen it first hand with elite travel players- not having time to react quick enough to save themselves from injury! So things happen, if you can protect your infielders and pitcher from something that could at minimum change lives, if not destroy or take them-- why are you so against mandating the mask? I cringe every time my daughter gets up to the plate and the girl on 3rd is not wearing a mask. I know her bat speed, I know the power she can generate, I fear for the girl standing there with only her wits and a glove to protect her. Tell me is it worth it, after HS ball, most will never play again, and then what- after college- even fewer... why risk a life altering injury? I've seen it, heard it- it isn't pretty! What does it prove to not wear one?

Edited November 8, 201411 yr by True blue (and gold)
Rule 13

I'd rather leave it up to the individual player or parent/s. But what's next? Chest protectors like catchers wear? Shin guards? What about increasing the distance from pitcher's rubber to home plate? Increase distance of basepath? Increase the size of the whole field?

I'd rather leave it up to the individual player or parent/s. But what's next? Chest protectors like catchers wear? Shin guards? What about increasing the distance from pitcher's rubber to home plate? Increase distance of basepath? Increase the size of the whole field?

 

Not being a smart butt, but should we then allow the parents of a QB to decide whether their son should wear a face mask in football? It hinders his vision and he should be able to decide, right?

 

My point is at one time that may have been a discussion on here if this site was around then! Now it's completely accepted and expected. But at one time it wasn't! But we would never think about sending a kid on to the football field without a face mask! In 20 years, they may look back and say "how did pitchers ever pitch without masks??? That's just insane!"...like we do for football now!

Not being a smart butt, but should we then allow the parents of a QB to decide whether their son should wear a face mask in football? It hinders his vision and he should be able to decide, right?

 

My point is at one time that may have been a discussion on here if this site was around then! Now it's completely accepted and expected. But at one time it wasn't! But we would never think about sending a kid on to the football field without a face mask! In 20 years, they may look back and say "how did pitchers ever pitch without masks??? That's just insane!"...like we do for football now!

 

I hear ya. However, I think the field, basepaths and pitcher to home should all be increased first. I'm always amazed when watching college games on TV how small the fields are. If you get around on a pitch well it's pretty much a HR in those bandbox fields.

My girls that pitch and play infield will wear masks. If a college coach does not like it, then tough...UK's pitcher seem to do just fine with one. Not wearing a facemask is like not vaccinating the kids from polio, TB, etc...why not use the technology that is available to make sports safer, more fun and your future quality of life better?