Game Face Masks

[SkinnyFats]

Using the basic assumption that the bat performs within the rules, we can use the parameters from the USSSA BPF test for the math. The ball cannot leave the bat at a speed more than 1.15 times the combined speed of the bat and ball. The ASA limitation is lower. A well designed wood bat is approximately 1.10

OK, got it. Exit speed < 1.15 times the combined speed. So if the combined speed goes up 1 mph, the exit speed can't go up more than 1.15 mph. Cool.

Assuming the pitch speed is the same, a ball hit by a bat with 1 mph of increased batspeed results in a maximum .15 mph higher exit speed. Not taking into account the loss of mass in the equation which is a trade off with batspeed, you would have to swing the bat almost 7 mph faster to gain 1 mph in exit speed. 1 mph in exit speed equals 7 milliseconds less time (or .007 seconds) for a player to react at 40 ft. 7 milliseconds is a tiny amount of time when you consider a blink (equal to the approximate total time available) is 300-400 milliseconds. 7 mph is a huge gain in batspeed and it is not likely that is what you will see with a bat a few ounces lighter.

Hmmmm. A seven mph increase in bat speed yields a 1 mph increase in exit speed? That doesn't seem to agree with your previous paragraph, or with tests I've seen that show increasing bat speed by 10 mph roughly increases exit speed by 10 mph. Are you talking about the same bat swung 7 mph faster (the "not taking loss of mass into account" statement), or a completely different bat here? Why isn't it 7 * 1.15 = 8 mph, which significantly reduces the reaction time available to the player?

[Tumblebug]

Using the basic assumption that the bat performs within the rules, we can use the parameters from the USSSA BPF test for the math. The ball cannot leave the bat at a speed more than 1.15 times the combined speed of the bat and ball. The ASA limitation is lower. A well designed wood bat is approximately 1.10

OK, got it. Exit speed < 1.15 times the combined speed. So if the combined speed goes up 1 mph, the exit speed can't go up more than 1.15 mph. Cool.

Assuming the pitch speed is the same, a ball hit by a bat with 1 mph of increased batspeed results in a maximum .15 mph higher exit speed. Not taking into account the loss of mass in the equation which is a trade off with batspeed, you would have to swing the bat almost 7 mph faster to gain 1 mph in exit speed. 1 mph in exit speed equals 7 milliseconds less time (or .007 seconds) for a player to react at 40 ft. 7 milliseconds is a tiny amount of time when you consider a blink (equal to the approximate total time available) is 300-400 milliseconds. 7 mph is a huge gain in batspeed and it is not likely that is what you will see with a bat a few ounces lighter.

Hmmmm. A seven mph increase in bat speed yields a 1 mph increase in exit speed? That doesn't seem to agree with your previous paragraph, or with tests I've seen that show increasing bat speed by 10 mph roughly increases exit speed by 10 mph. Are you talking about the same bat swung 7 mph faster (the "not taking loss of mass into account" statement), or a completely different bat here? Why isn't it 7 * 1.15 = 8 mph, which significantly reduces the reaction time available to the player?

hmmmmm, that does sound wrong . . . Let me read it again and I'll get back to you.

[Dropn N]

Can somebody let us know how many pitchers are wearing masks(or corners) at 14U Nationals and from what regions? God forbid no one gets drilled...but!

[B-Dad]

Wondering who made general observations about the % of teams with the pitchers and corners wearing masks and what ages. As usual I expect the 10's and 12's had higher percentages than 14's through 18's. Curious if the general trend is there are more than previous years at all ages.

[ontheblack]

Every team we played at 12u nationals had at least one player wearing a mask. What surprised me was the number of middle infielders I saw wearing them.

At least 80% were Rip It.

[AlwaysImprove]

I saw about 3 masks at 16U nationals. 2 third baseman and 1 Pitcher. 2 Gameface and 1 Rip-It.

[NuNu's Dad]

Saw my first mask in two years of 18U Gold at the Premier tournament. Pitcher for Illinois Chill.

Never thought I'd see one at this level. Last one I saw was in 14U three years ago.

[dgorsuch]

Last March I made the post below. Just thought I would dig it up and put it out there for all of the viewers. By the way, all of the girls in my organization wear masks if they are pitching or playing corners. We have tried to take a leadership position for our sport and say to everyone its ok to be safe and its ok to promote safety for your teams and players. I am very proud of them for their leadership.
Doug

March 19, 2010
My daughter took a line drive to the forehead last weekend. Never saw it coming. The ball hit her square on the right temple, bounced up in the air 30ft. and landed in center field. As she was going to the ground she looked at me a yelled, "Daddy help me". By the time I got to the mound she had a baseball sized contusion on her head and I was pretty sure her skull was crushed. At this point the thought crossed my mind that this might be life threatening. I told her I loved her and worked to keep her still along with the UIC and many other wonderful people at Allen Station who were helping out. She was rushed to the ER and immediately taken for a CT scan and x rays. We spent Monday at the Texas Spine Institute and Wednesday and Thursday getting MRI/brain scans. She has swelling on her brain, a concussion and neck injuries but will be ok with some rest and rehab.
Mask?
No Mask?
I hope no parent or coach ever has to experience what my team, coaches and parents experienced last weekend.
Wear the masks if you are pitching or playing corners!

[Battle]

Last March I made the post below. Just thought I would dig it up and put it out there for all of the viewers. By the way, all of the girls in my organization wear masks if they are pitching or playing corners. We have tried to take a leadership position for our sport and say to everyone its ok to be safe and its ok to promote safety for your teams and players. I am very proud of them for their leadership.
Doug

March 19, 2010
My daughter took a line drive to the forehead last weekend. Never saw it coming. The ball hit her square on the right temple, bounced up in the air 30ft. and landed in center field. As she was going to the ground she looked at me a yelled, "Daddy help me". By the time I got to the mound she had a baseball sized contusion on her head and I was pretty sure her skull was crushed. At this point the thought crossed my mind that this might be life threatening. I told her I loved her and worked to keep her still along with the UIC and many other wonderful people at Allen Station who were helping out. She was rushed to the ER and immediately taken for a CT scan and x rays. We spent Monday at the Texas Spine Institute and Wednesday and Thursday getting MRI/brain scans. She has swelling on her brain, a concussion and neck injuries but will be ok with some rest and rehab.
Mask?
No Mask?
I hope no parent or coach ever has to experience what my team, coaches and parents experienced last weekend.
Wear the masks if you are pitching or playing corners!

I was there and seen it. Made me wonder why I ever put my DD on the field without one.

[lookingIN]

My DD never wanted to wear a mask because she said noone else was wearing them.She was pitching when She took a line drive to the mouth and knocked out her four front teeth and fractured her jaw. We were in the hospital and they found a ruptured disk in her neck. I will never forgive my self for not forcing her to wear a mask. Even after a girl on her team got hit in the ear on third base. Her whole ear almost came off. My DD is still recovering to this day. It happened last season...parents if you luv your kids, protect them. 35 dollars isnt nothing. ESP pitchers