Pitchers - Wear your masks

[JCates]

Perhaps you should read this story and watch the attached video. Not trying to create any hysteria here, but it reports a physician and a high school coach supporting a mandate. See link for video (not of girl getting hit...but interview with girl, parents and coach).

Pitcher Takes Line Drive to The Face
Updated: Monday, 29 Mar 2010, 11:12 PM PDT
Published : Monday, 29 Mar 2010, 11:12 PM PDT


Reporter:
Al Naipo
Posted by: Tony Spearman / myFOXla.com

[b]Lake Forest - Kristi Denny a softball pitcher for El Toro High, suffered a devastating head injury, after she was struck on the mound by a ball.

Kristi's teammates believe the ball came off the bat at more than 90 miles per hour, fortunately she was wearing a pitcher's mask.

The 15-year-old underwent five hours of reconstructive surgery, which included placing a titanium plate beneath her forehead.

Orange County Bureau Chief Al Naipo was in El Toro, where he spoke with the injured player and her teammates. [/b]

http://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/news/local/p ... e-20100329

By the way...I am not sure if this will show on that report from posted earlier by anon since their was no death or permantent disability as a result of the injury. Regardless, I think it speaks very highly of the importance of wearing the mask. Do they have to make that list before we become proactive?

[anonlooker]

For those wanting stats, etc. here is one article I researched and found.

Are you kidding me? This is what you found to support your position. A guy who quotes his coaching record at the 8u level. A guy whose 10u team plays a HS JV team and claims his competition is fairly athletic but couldn't handle a batted ball by a 10u player?
To quote the great G
LMAOWIOAB

Mind if I join you?

Anecdotal evidence does not constitute "stats, etc"... it doesn't even count as reliable evidence.

I looked for stats, from the NFHS Softball page, under Sports Medicine, the National Center for Catastrophic Injury Research has conducted a 27 year study of Catastrophic Injuries in HS Sports.

There have been 5 total for softball, in 27 years. Those 5 are divided into three categories... go ahead and read the report for details. It includes stats for all HS and college sports.

This is the kind of information well-informed people use to determine risk factors.

I have no issue with kids wearing masks, only with the type of hysteria you propagate while implying that everyone is at great risk. That simply is not the case. The sky is not falling.

I am not trying to create hysteria. I found a stat and posted it for information. I have never stated that it happens on a huge basis. I have commented, and this is a generalization of my comments, that I think it is important to be proactive and protect these younger kids from potential major injury by using a inexpensive mask that does not affect the way they play the game. I personally do not want to see a stat that indicates that a ton of kids have had their face crushed before such a simple decision is made. I believe in being proactive in the protection of children and I think as adults it is a role we should embrace.

If you and Spaz and whomever else want to argue against this have at it. I don't care. My view in whether the mask should be worn will cause no damage to children. That is a stat you can not argue with. The only thing that I have argued for is protecting younger children and for whatever reason that seems to offend you...nothing I can do about it.

Fact: Very few of the kids that play softball will make it to the college level of play.

Fact: The mask, both on the helmet and on the fielder is showing up at the college level as the technology has improved with such inovations as the Rip It mask. Personally saw a D-1 game this week where both were worn in the game.

That said, I think daughters can protect those faces and brains they will have long after their playing days are over and not risk the precious scholarship so deeply wanted by the parents. Here is another proactive suggestion for you...create a college fund in case DD does not get a scholarship, burns out on the game of softball, or gets injured (hopefully not by a shot to the head).

Why risk a major injury to your child by not utilizing this technology? Especially with the younger players who have less developed skill levels? Above everything thing else, this is a game.

By the way...I don't have time to review what the NHFS definition of catastrophic injury is. What injuries make that list? As a dad, a broken eye socket, concussion, vision reduction and just the fact of knowing my daughter was injured because I refused to have her wear something like an inexpensive mask that could have protected her without compromising the game are just a few of the injuries I would consider catastrophic if it were my daughter injured.

The "stat" you use is not a statistic by any definition I've ever seen. The "facts" you use are not factual. You "don't have the time" to review a 27 year study on sports injuries, but you do have time to come on here and mislead parents with purely anecdotal evidence to support your ill-informed crusade. You are doing yourself (and those you seek to inform) a disservice.

Let me reiterate, I am not opposed to kids wearing whatever protective equipment they choose to wear. I will champion the rights of parents to seek out the best information available and to use this information in the decision making process.

The information you present is not the best information available. I'm not even sure if the study I presented is the best information available. But I will lend significantly more credence to a 27 year study by M.D.s than I will to what you have posted.

[anonlooker]

@Spaz:

I copied the whole article. As usual, you chose to ignore the stat so I will print it again.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in 1991 reported that more than 100,000 cases of facial trauma occurred in children younger than 14 years while they participated in sports activities with a surprisingly high incidence of female pitchers that are hit with a batted ball.

Plain enough for you.

Actually, no.
What does "surprisingly high incidence" mean? What rate of injury constitutes "high incedence?" Who was surprised? The USPSC? The author of the report? Or maybe the "stat" was surprised?
Perhaps you could actually take the time to read the report you are quoting and inform us?

[Blind Squirrel]

JCates,
I find the use of the phrase "common sense" to be personally insulting and just as unnecessary as the “bad parenting” or “be a parent” charges. You want to keep this discussion focused on masks? Then stop the veiled personal attacks on those that disagree with you. If you don’t, I will educate you on what “common sense” means in strictly rational terms and how, as a result, your use of the phrase in this discussion can only be considered intelligent and appropriate if the intent is to personally attack people. You have repeatedly stated your goal is to promote the use of masks. Good for you. Absolutely no problem on my end WRT to your efforts as long as they don’t involve the BullSh*t I mentioned.

The ball is in your court. I guess that means you should put on a mask.

Best Regards,
John Pappas

[JCates]

Blind:

Sorry if that insults you. It is an opinion and if you do not believe it to be true then don't let it disturb your day. However, it is nice to know I carry such a high rank in this world that my opinion can have such a profound affect on you. I have taken plenty of shots on this site for my view on the mask and guess what...I don't care. If you think I am full of manure (stated in more harsh ways) and some of the other smart mouth shots directed by some I don't care. That is your belief and you are welcome to it. It will make absolutely no difference on my day. I have stated I don't think those who do not have their children wear a mask are bad parents. What I stated is that I do not personally believe they are using common sense on this issue if they would avoid having a young girl wear an inexpensive mask that could protect her from injury without compromising her play. I simply do not understand why a parent would make that choice over a GAME. This is not exactly ripping you apart.

As I stated before...my concern is the safety of the young girls playing this game. If I can convince a parent or two to wear the mask and avoid potential injury then that is a good thing. If it makes me a bad person in your view, so be it.

Anonlooker: What I posted was a stat regarding this discussion. Whether it is a stat you want to believe or utilize in making your decision on the mask or not I cannot control. I never stated it was the be all to end all on this discussion. I simply stated it was a stat related to this discussion and it is. If this discussion upsets you at such a high level the real problems in the world must have you at the brink of a major coronary. Might want to visit your cardiologist.

[anonlooker]

Oh okay. And when I leave the cardio I'll go straight to a psychiatrist, because I'd have to be insane to take advice from such a complete moron!

[JCates]

The pro mandated mask crowd cannot support their argument with anything but emotion, as is typical with the liberal mindset, since there are no stats to support their stance.. They always know what is best for others and are not content just making their choices for themselves and moving on. They must make sure that everyone else conforms to their morally superior views.

Believe what you want Spaz. I just do not want to see something happen to a young girl that happened on my post above that has the video. If that is not a viable stat of an injury that would have been worse without the mask, I don't know what is. And as I have stated...I just do not want to have a young girl seriously injured if it can be avoided without compromising the game by wearing an inexpensive mask. If you want to take this to that lame morally superior argument because I care for and want to protect a young girl from being injured go for it.

By the way I have never voted liberal in my life, but I do evaluate each case and establish my views based on what I believe is best. I have never looked at this as a morally superior view...I just have seen kids get hit, and read cases of kids getting hit and I feel wearing the mask is a wise choice. It will not compromise the game and it will protect a girl from potential injury. What harm is there is that?

[JCates]

Oh okay. And when I leave the cardio I'll go straight to a psychiatrist, because I'd have to be insane to take advice from such a complete moron!

Thank you for justifying my comments about the direct shots toward me from others on this site. As I said before...they mean nothing and I don't care about your opinion of me.

Want to get back to discussing the issue at hand?

[Blind Squirrel]

Given the cases described in here of kids getting seriously hurt while wearing a mask, I guess it is "common sense" that a parent not allow their child to pitch or play one of the corners. What could possibly be the rationale for allowing it? Because the child wants to play one of those particular positions? Why put your child in a position where, no matter what currently available head protection they have on, they are subject to serious, possibly life altering if not life ending injury? I guess the only alternative is having them wear a football helmet. And why wouldn't a parent have their kid wear a football helmet if it could save their child's life? I sure hope the answer to that question uses the phrase "common sense".

Stupified Squirrel

[MarkJMillsap]

JCates: I applaud your resolve on this issue, but I don't think you are going to convince those who remain in this discussion. While I haven't advocated mandatory use of a mask, I would not be opposed to it. It appears the real issue now is having the rule imposed would take away their right to choose. And no, I'm not a Bleeding Heart Liberal. I would venture to guess this will be a non-issue in a couple of years. CIF is already advocating "vouluntary" use of a mask by both the boys and girls. Mandatory use is being discussed. It also looks like Little League will institute mandatory us within the next couple of years as well. My dd will contine to wear one as long as she is in the circle. Although I admit, she does not wear one at 2nd base.