Pitcher hit by line drive

[SnocatzDad]

Had one of our pitchers get hit in the head with a line drive during a HS game last week. She's doing okay but is out for HS season minimum and she had a skull fracture and they had to clean up and remove some bone fragments from the area.

Scary stuff. Makes me happy my DD's behind the plate in armor. I see more and more pitchers wearing the face guards, not sure if that would have helped here based on where she got hit, but I'm guessing the local sports stores will see some increased sales on those.

[SoftballG]

always a scary moment anytime a pitcher takes a hard shot were reaction time is next to nothing.. glad to hear she is ok

[Tucson]

I try to warn my students when they are little, about this danger. But, less than 10% wear a face mask. And by age 10, they just tell mom and dad, that they aren't going to do it.

[Sam]

I don't think she is OK....she had skull fractures...no telling the long term effects.

The masks are good...I wish everybody wore them. The masks don't protect the pelvic area. I had two pitchers who took shots to this area and we worried about internal injuries and the future ability to bear children.

Its somewhat a result of improved hitting and a whole lot of juiced bats that make crappy hitters serviceable.

[Madmun]

I wish they would make it mandatory. Itscares the hell out of me every time my DD takes the mound. She has a mask and has used it in the past. But she got grief and snickers for it and feels uncomfortable wearing it now. Plus in the heat it really is hot to wear. So she and I go round and round on this subject.

I had heard the ASA was considering making it mandatory for the corners and the pitcher? Has anyone heard anything on this??

[pafan]

We have had two girls in our area (two varsity pitchers, one who plays for our team) hit smack in the face by line drives in the past week--one was taken away in an ambulance. My daughter, who plays behind the plate and on the corner, has never wanted to wear one. However, we were in Dick's over the weekend, and when we walked by the face masks, I asked if she wanted one. She responded with her usual, "No," but then she added, "But if you get me one, I'll wear it." So we got it.

[coachE]

HS Tourny this weekend - our pitcher was wearing a mask and took one in the face (about as hard as I've seen a ball hit). It hit her so square that the ball actually bounced back at the catcher. She was shaken up and a little sore, but she was fine.

She's been wearing a mask for about a year and was the reason my DD was willing to wear one. Having seen that, I don't think she'll ever question if she needs it again.

[BonezMom]

My 11 yo DD has been wearing one since early fall last year. Every time we play I see more and more girls wearing them, pitchers and infielders. I think parents and coaches are realizing that with the speed of the balls coming off the new bats it takes a little of the "scariness" out of it for the players.

[2bucketdad]

Don't put it in the hands of any association, of any coach, or leave it up to any child, if your DD plays in the infield, especially the corners and pitcher, take it on your self to make them wear a mask...they fight and wine and cry right up to the point that you tell them that if they don't wear it they don't play, and then they wear it...I pay for your braces, I pay for the make-up you wear, I pay for the food that you eat, I pay for that cell phone that is grown to your hands and ear, and I pay for you to play, and I'll have to pay for the hospital or worse if you take a liner to the face, so if you are going to play you are going to wear it.

[MTR]

I wish they would make it mandatory. Itscares the hell out of me every time my DD takes the mound. She has a mask and has used it in the past. But she got grief and snickers for it and feels uncomfortable wearing it now. Plus in the heat it really is hot to wear. So she and I go round and round on this subject.

I had heard the ASA was considering making it mandatory for the corners and the pitcher? Has anyone heard anything on this??

Here we go again. Just how stupid can people be? Why does some organization have to make something mandatory because you cannot do your job?

If it is that important to you, why must it be mandatory by rule? Just do it! You are the adult;
You sign the forms; You pay the money; You provide the equipment and transportation. If your daughter refuses to wear the protective gear YOU feel is necessary, DON'T LET HER PLAY!

Then again, you will probably be one of the first in line to sue someone if you do not get your daughter to wear the proper equipment and gets hurt.