Pitchers and masks (Video link included)

[Iluvblue]

I have never been a big proponent of pitchers wearing masks in fastpitch.... that was until last year.

I was sent a link to this video that showed a former player of mine take a ball to the face. This kid started playing for me when she was 12,and it literally made me cry watching her fall to the ground.

She was an OUTSTANDING fielder of her position, yet she had no chance to protect herself. Afetr watching this, I changed my mind.

This is just for you pitchers dads and moms.

Password is "Softball."

http://vimeo.com/10516676

[rbi]

One of the only Cal State Stanislaus games my DD and I have ever been to. I remember vividly sitting right behind hitter, the sound it made on contact to the face. Never really heard how she recovered from that. Something I will never forget and I am so glad my DD is not a pitcher.

[style]

wow! heard about the video but never seen it, my daughter was hit in the face too and she refused to wear a mask for the longest time she didnt want nothing to do with it. she has no issues wearing the mask now and she recovered fine and i hope that pitcher in the video recovered too.

[Iluvblue]

The pitcher in the video was not ok..... she was pissed they didnt let her play the next day:)

She was fine and played probably in the next 3 days or so. A real gamer.

[swaggerific]

I have never been a big proponent of pitchers wearing masks in fastpitch.... that was until last year.

I was sent a link to this video that showed a former player of mine take a ball to the face. This kid started playing for me when she was 12,and it literally made me cry watching her fall to the ground.

She was an OUTSTANDING fielder of her position, yet she had no chance to protect herself. Afetr watching this, I changed my mind.

This is just for you pitchers dads and moms.

Password is "Softball."

http://vimeo.com/10516676

I am so happy to read this ILB because there are coaches who look down on wearing masks. If I recall correctly, a director told me that the players will not wear masks because it sends the message to colleges that the orgs ball players are afraid to play ball. I was furious when I heard this because the integrity of the program was more important than the safety of children. If a player has game, then they have game am I right? Or am I just a paranoid parent. Hot bats, balls made to jump off hot bats, improved mechanics and skills makes this game as dangerous as most other sports. Should they wear full body armor, no but perhaps corners and pitchers face masks? I think so. Thanks for supporting masks ILB.

[VISoftball]

As coach, I only have one rule regarding masks. If you are going to wear one you have to wear it all the time while playing including practice. There is nothing worse than a player who practices without a mask and then, once it is game time, they put it on and their game changes.

Safety first, I think it is the parents and players call but if are going to wear one, it can't be a part time thing. Wear it when you play catch, field, pitch. I would even go so far as to say, if they take lessons, they should wear it there.

Just my two cents.

[Iluvblue]

I just returned from Vegas last weekend after watching my kid play in 5 college games. I watched afew innings here and there from other games. I saw AT LEAST15 home runs, and scored of 17-8, 15-12, 13-10..... and other high scores. It was CRAZY, and no doubt IMO is from the bats.


By the way, one of the pitchers on my kids college team wears a mask.

When I first started coaching, there was definitely a negative attached to a kid wearing a mask. I think that time has past, and nobody looks down on a player for wearing one now.

And I agree... if the kid has game, she has game:)

Remember, it wasnt that long ago when masks were not on helmets for batters.

[ontheblack]

As coach, I only have one rule regarding masks. If you are going to wear one you have to wear it all the time while playing including practice. There is nothing worse than a player who practices without a mask and then, once it is game time, they put it on and their game changes.

Safety first, I think it is the parents and players call but if are going to wear one, it can't be a part time thing. Wear it when you play catch, field, pitch. I would even go so far as to say, if they take lessons, they should wear it there.

Just my two cents.

lmao at your two cents.

[VISoftball]

As coach, I only have one rule regarding masks. If you are going to wear one you have to wear it all the time while playing including practice. There is nothing worse than a player who practices without a mask and then, once it is game time, they put it on and their game changes.

Safety first, I think it is the parents and players call but if are going to wear one, it can't be a part time thing. Wear it when you play catch, field, pitch. I would even go so far as to say, if they take lessons, they should wear it there.

Just my two cents.

lmao at your two cents.

Let me qualify this to the extent, if you wear a mask pitching, you should wear it in that capacity whether at lessons, warming up etc. Do you warm up without a glove? No. If it is a piece of gear you will be wearing in game you wear it at practice.

[Tenshun]

As coach, I only have one rule regarding masks. If you are going to wear one you have to wear it all the time while playing including practice. There is nothing worse than a player who practices without a mask and then, once it is game time, they put it on and their game changes.

Safety first, I think it is the parents and players call but if are going to wear one, it can't be a part time thing. Wear it when you play catch, field, pitch. I would even go so far as to say, if they take lessons, they should wear it there.

Just my two cents.

lmao at your two cents.

Let me qualify this to the extent, if you wear a mask pitching, you should wear it in that capacity whether at lessons, warming up etc. Do you warm up without a glove? No. If it is a piece of gear you will be wearing in game you wear it at practice.

This rule makes no sense to me. Ever have a girl hit off a tee or take soft toss without their helmet?