The point, VE, is that the facemask was added solely to protect our little girls' faces and dental work. Nothing to do with aggressiveness.
The elbow guard became popular with Barry Bonds using pad later in his career. He used it to crowd the plate and cover the outside corner with his 32 inch bat. The pad allowed him to do this withoug fear of pain or injury. Bonds was HBP 56 time during the first 15 years of his career.....50 times during the final 6 seasons (half of which were partial seasons).
I have coached college players who don't wear masks. What you are espousing is simply not true.
I will go the HS field today. Say a prayer to me.....I mean for me.