Pitchers - Wear your masks

[cliponbeard]

and heybucket suddenly seems to be alive and well in texas, thanks Doug

[MarkJMillsap]

Why do these types of posts always end up as a conduit for insult and argument. The bottom line is these injuries are preventable. While many may be the result of fielding deficiencies, I believe most are not. These girls pitch from 30' to 43' away. Anybody who has ever pitched bp knows how difficult it is to just get the hell out of the way. This is not an issue of over regulation, but an issue of protecting our most valuable asset-- our children. My dd is a picher and she was hit right above the eye before she began using a mask. She is an above average fielder. The Rip It face mask allows for next to no obstruction. A typical batting helmet is worse. As of now, the decision is left to the parents. The problem with that is many worry about what others think, rather than the safety of their child. I don't give a rats ass what other posters, parents, college coaches etc. think. My dd is wearing a mask!!!

[Joe]

Why do these types of posts always end up as a conduit for insult and argument....

....I don't give a rats ass what other posters, parents, college coaches etc. think. My dd is wearing a mask!!!

Thanks for clarifying...

[Joe]

and heybucket suddenly seems to be alive and well in texas, thanks Doug

Doug's a great guy and good coach...an asset to NTX softball. Please take a look at editing the subject line...

Thanks for a great story...

My pitcher would wear a mask, but if you're going to mandate the mask, then you'd better do so on the corners also. Anyone at third playing the bunt at 30-40 ft is vulnerable, and the same can be said for the player at first w/ a lefty at bat. Mouthpieces will need to be required equipment for all...to prevent a preventable injury. Lots of injuries from metal cleats...they need to go. Prohibit head first sliding...lots of broken fingers. And of course,,,as discussed many times on HB...we need to return to hickory...and ban composite. Better yet, let's use an Incrediball....and keep the composite. Easton would be happy both ways...

All those 3-5 year olds walking around in foul territory at the ball fields? Where are their helmets?

[AE27]

I thought I was your stalker. Guess I need to do a better job. hahaha. But seriously, I am all for the girls wearing face masks. Safety first!

Stalker, stalker!! Call the stalker police!!

[DP3816]

A post concerning a pitcher who suffered a serious injury in the circle. Some of you can't resist so you start flaming each other. But honestly the best one was the person who asked "Was she qualified to be in the circle." Just how does one become qualified to be in the circle? Oh do you shoot balls from a pitching machine at home plate to the pitcher in the circle? and if that is the answer how fast do you fire it at them? Why not just go Happy Gilmore and just let them take the shot to toughen them up?

This whole thing reminds me of the whole motorcycle helmet debate. 30 years ago there I was riding my MC to work when a fool in a pickup cuts in front of me. Faced with the option of hittng the truck or laying the bike down I chose the latter. When I came to at the hospital the doctor showed me my helmet and said "This probably saved your life."

So yes I have read enough stories about young girls suffering major injuries that my DD will wear one. The rest of you do what you want.

[DP3816]

and heybucket suddenly seems to be alive and well in texas, thanks Doug

Doug's a great guy and good coach...an asset to NTX softball. Please take a look at editing the subject line...

Thanks for a great story...

My pitcher would wear a mask, but if you're going to mandate the mask, then you'd better do so on the corners also. Anyone at third playing the bunt at 30-40 ft is vulnerable, and the same can be said for the player at first w/ a lefty at bat. Mouthpieces will need to be required equipment for all...to prevent a preventable injury. Lots of injuries from metal cleats...they need to go. Prohibit head first sliding...lots of broken fingers. And of course,,,as discussed many times on HB...we need to return to hickory...and ban composite. Better yet, let's use an Incrediball....and keep the composite. Easton would be happy both ways...

All those 3-5 year olds walking around in foul territory at the ball fields? Where are their helmets?

Those 3-5 year olds don't need helmets, they need parents who will watch them and protect them. Not let them run wild. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a toddler fall off the bleacher while Mom and/or Dad was totally clueless as to where the kid was.

[Joe]

and heybucket suddenly seems to be alive and well in texas, thanks Doug

Doug's a great guy and good coach...an asset to NTX softball. Please take a look at editing the subject line...

Thanks for a great story...

My pitcher would wear a mask, but if you're going to mandate the mask, then you'd better do so on the corners also. Anyone at third playing the bunt at 30-40 ft is vulnerable, and the same can be said for the player at first w/ a lefty at bat. Mouthpieces will need to be required equipment for all...to prevent a preventable injury. Lots of injuries from metal cleats...they need to go. Prohibit head first sliding...lots of broken fingers. And of course,,,as discussed many times on HB...we need to return to hickory...and ban composite. Better yet, let's use an Incrediball....and keep the composite. Easton would be happy both ways...

All those 3-5 year olds walking around in foul territory at the ball fields? Where are their helmets?

Those 3-5 year olds don't need helmets, they need parents who will watch them and protect them. Not let them run wild. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a toddler fall off the bleacher while Mom and/or Dad was totally clueless as to where the kid was.

Agree...

...perhaps the parents are on the ones who need the helmet.

[etx bd]

A post concerning a pitcher who suffered a serious injury in the circle. Some of you can't resist so you start flaming each other. But honestly the best one was the person who asked "Was she qualified to be in the circle." Just how does one become qualified to be in the circle? Oh do you shoot balls from a pitching machine at home plate to the pitcher in the circle? and if that is the answer how fast do you fire it at them? Why not just go Happy Gilmore and just let them take the shot to toughen them up?

This whole thing reminds me of the whole motorcycle helmet debate. 30 years ago there I was riding my MC to work when a fool in a pickup cuts in front of me. Faced with the option of hittng the truck or laying the bike down I chose the latter. When I came to at the hospital the doctor showed me my helmet and said "This probably saved your life."

So yes I have read enough stories about young girls suffering major injuries that my DD will wear one. The rest of you do what you want.

Way to flame those flamers

[DOG310]

DP, good post. I've done the motorcycle thingy and most of the crazy military stuff; jumping out of planes, rappelling out of helos, pilot etc, but I've always done it with proper training and safety gear. Personally, I wouldn't think of letting my DD play the corners or pitch w/o a mask.

That said, I feel just as strongly that you have a right to do what you think is best for your child and it doesn't make you less or more of a parent. How many of the "we gotta have a rule" crowd is out there on a daily basis teaching your child how to field properly? Grow up and put on your big girl/boy panties, be a parent and make a decision!

BTW,I don't need the village to raise my kid, that's why I get the big bucks.