Game Face Masks

[Scoop n K]

College coaches, as do all high end gold team coaches and most 16u A coaches view the mask as a sign of a player that is afraid of the ball. Period. End of story.

What often happens to mask wearers is that they find themselves in a situation where they want to show well. Either a new higher level team tryout or a college camp/clinic. They will want to impress so they will go out there sans the mask and they will absolutely look horrible. They will turn their head so hard you would think they have whiplash.

Masks are great for anyone that has been injured in the face. They are also great for that player that has a drop in confidence. You use the mask, temporarily, to rebuild that confidence.

You should avoid letting the mask become a crutch. It is always the head turners that are getting hit by the ball. I can tell you 10 minutes into a tryout which kids are most susceptible to get hitting as the season plays out.

It is about confidence in the glove. What I have found is that girls are wired up way different. When boy's get that little hesitation to the ball that little turn of the head you just yell at them, question their manhood a little and they find a way to stay low. Also with boys you can hit them balls at just below their threshold, then turn it up a notch a little at a time. You do those things to a girl, you will hurt the situation more than help.

You have to find ways for them to develop their confidence. I have had a lot of luck working with squishes getting girls to really believe in their glove. Girls do not like it when you point this kind of an issue in front of a team. Talk to them off line. Also do not ignore it, way to many coaches make that mistake.

If you are wearing the mask regularly by second year 14's you are more than likely headed for the rec side of the sport.

What a bunch of C&%P! Who the H*(L do you think you are to ASSume the ALL of any group thinks one way or the other? Apparently you are the all knowing being of the universe! Fine to have your opinion...don't be such a condescending A*S , If it's not for you, fine. Don't use it. Those that want to, leave em alone....and don't pretend to know what ALL others think about a given subject. Perhaps you've got it wrong...Perhaps YOU view them as afraid of the ball...PERHAPS you are mistaken. Weak .

[ontheblack]

College coaches, as do all high end gold team coaches and most 16u A coaches view the mask as a sign of a player that is afraid of the ball. Period. End of story.

What often happens to mask wearers is that they find themselves in a situation where they want to show well. Either a new higher level team tryout or a college camp/clinic. They will want to impress so they will go out there sans the mask and they will absolutely look horrible. They will turn their head so hard you would think they have whiplash.

Masks are great for anyone that has been injured in the face. They are also great for that player that has a drop in confidence. You use the mask, temporarily, to rebuild that confidence.

You should avoid letting the mask become a crutch. It is always the head turners that are getting hit by the ball. I can tell you 10 minutes into a tryout which kids are most susceptible to get hitting as the season plays out.

It is about confidence in the glove. What I have found is that girls are wired up way different. When boy's get that little hesitation to the ball that little turn of the head you just yell at them, question their manhood a little and they find a way to stay low. Also with boys you can hit them balls at just below their threshold, then turn it up a notch a little at a time. You do those things to a girl, you will hurt the situation more than help.

You have to find ways for them to develop their confidence. I have had a lot of luck working with squishes getting girls to really believe in their glove. Girls do not like it when you point this kind of an issue in front of a team. Talk to them off line. Also do not ignore it, way to many coaches make that mistake.

If you are wearing the mask regularly by second year 14's you are more than likely headed for the rec side of the sport.

Dumb$hit.

[jmo]

Maybe if you three had any contact with top gold coaches you would know that the previous statements are true. Wear a mask,and you will not be looked on favorably.
Call it what you want in your liberal utopia but the truth is the truth. Not saying it is right or wrong but that is a harsh reality. You can deny it if you want but it doesn't change a thing.

Guess you will all have to tell Bianca Mejia that she is weak for wearing a mask. Mejia is the star shortstop for Long Island and was on the Junior National Team four years ago. She will be playing this summer for the Hurricanes so if you want to see a player that is weak that wears a mask still, then come on out. You will be amazed at her play - one of the best to play the game

By the way, the UCLA shortstop Monica Harrison also wears a mask. She did just start wearing it this year but with the bats that are being produced these days, I don't think anyone really can be too safe. Guess she will be worried that everyone will look at her for being weak too.

I have a player that wears a mask and she is not looked down on at all. She is being recruited by several schools already as she is a 2012. Not one of the college coaches has said anything to me about her mask. Of course, I am not a top gold coach Each to their own.

[bucketbutt]

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[Daddylawman]

The fact is that every parent chooses the risk level for their own child. However, the argument that masks will make a pitcher less desirable are behind the times. There may have been a time when that was true, but no more. Do you really think a girl who can throw mid-60's and move the ball won't get an offer because she wears a mask? That would be stupid.

A few years ago folks made the same argument about girls wearing facemasks on their batting helmets. I don't hear those folks today. Soon, these arguments against pitcher's masks will fade away the same way.

The fact is that today's 18U's and most 16U's started pitching before wearing a mask was considered acceptable, when the neanderthal thinking that it showed weakness was prevalent. As folks became aware that it truly does not change a pitcher's effectiveness, and the fact that today's hitters can seriously injure even the best pitchers, views have changed. There is simple zero evidence that a mask makes a pitcher less effective, and the idea that it teaches them to turn their heads is so ridiculous, it's not even worth responding to.

In 5 years masks will be common, though many will choose not to wear them. I watched Danielle Spaulding take one off the face last weekend. I'm not saying she should have been wearing a mask, but if one of the best pitchers in the country can get hit in the face, anyone who thinks it can't happen to their DD is burying their head in the sand.

[ontheblack]

Maybe if you three had any contact with top gold coaches you would know that the previous statements are true. Wear a mask,and you will not be looked on favorably.
Call it what you want in your liberal utopia but the truth is the truth. Not saying it is right or wrong but that is a harsh reality. You can deny it if you want but it doesn't change a thing.

The reality is that the list of pitchers who wear masks that are going to Div 1 schools gets longer by the day. The percentage of pitchers coming up through the ranks wearing masks is growing exponentially. Your "top gold coaches" with those attitudes will adapt over time or lose players to those who do.

You have no idea what and who others know.

[Make_It_Happen]

My daughter wears a mask. She hated the idea when she was younger. But eventually she decided to try one on, it didn't bother her a bit and she wears it all the time now.

If a top college coach or gold coach thinks it makes her look weak, then she won't be playing for them. Oh well. She is a beautiful young lady with a teriffic smile and she isn't going to risk that for anyone. If another player has an advantage in the "looks tough" category, then too bad. My daughter also wears a brightly colored bow in her hair and mascara to play softball. I doubt that scores her points in the "looks tough" category either.

The point is she either plays tough or she doesn't. That is what counts.

[Scoop n K]

Maybe if you three had any contact with top gold coaches you would know that the previous statements are true. Wear a mask,and you will not be looked on favorably.
Call it what you want in your liberal utopia but the truth is the truth. Not saying it is right or wrong but that is a harsh reality. You can deny it if you want but it doesn't change a thing.

Hey Spaz, That's uncalled for! You may not agree with my thoughts, thats OK. BTW , I DO have contact with TOP coaches and athletes both professional and college, so I know my comments are valid. But to call me a Liberal!!! That's below the belt.!

[Fuddrules]

How many college players use (say 3 or more years ago) to wear masks on their batting helmet?

Did anyone?

How many today?

I can't say for certain but it seems to me a lot more have masks on their helmet than before...a substantial increase.

I'm curious if others think that as well or am I simply biased?

[ontheblack]

Agreed that more of the younger kids are wearing masks but they are still few and far between at the older ages. Down the road that may become the norm but right now I stand by my statement based on coaches I have heard from on this issue.

I guess my point is that the perceptive is changing and it is being forced by the increasing numbers of good pitchers who are wearing masks.

More to the point of the OP and my objection to Always Improve is that inferring that a younger pitcher should fore go a mask because 4-5 years down the road there may be an 18 Gold coach who sees it as a sign of weakness is absurd.