Pitchers and masks (Video link included)

[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.

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.

I understand if you are talking about an infielder or pitcher taking groundballs or something similar, but warming up, playing catch, or pitching lessons is absurd.

Do you warm up without a glove? No.

No, because wearing the glove is an integral part of catching the ball, just as my kid doesnt hit without a bat either.

She wears cleats in a game and practice on the field, but she doesnt wear them during her hitting or pitching lessons. The mask serves a specific purpose, as do the cleats, glove and bat. Making rules for the sake of rules is as pointless as those who run a drill without understand the purpose of the drill.

[Iluvblue]

Spazsdad,


I agree with you completely about masks on helmets. My kid hated them, fortunately she was only forced to wear one at the very end of her asa days. i think that should be up to the individual.


Pitchers.... same thing. Whether or not the reason is a belief that more injuries are happening or not??? I think watching a video like the one above would surely make one think. I just think about how many times a weekend we see a ball ripped back at a pitcher, and it would be a simple decision if my kid were pitching.

In the field??? completely against it. Although some college 3rd baseman are close than pitchers are which is scary when you are facing those big, strong, skilled hitters.

[bart16761]

I will chime in on this one, dd is a pitcher, won't wear a mask has been pitching since rec ball has had a few hard come backers so far she has caught them or deflected them with her glove. Today yes today I ordered her a mask she will wear it. I get the unecessary intrusion into the game idea as I am a game purist or so I think I am, girls on the dirt a bat a ball some gloves and game on let the best team win. Here is what should not happen, no kid should be subjected to an injury as severe as losing an eye, concussion or facial disfiguration if it could have been avoided after all they are kids right? I know the game was played without this gear in the past and to my knowledge nobody died but we used to ride in cars without seatbelts, thought smoking was cool, lead paint was the best and asbetos was a new miracle product. Times change. I am not sure if it should be a rule I think that if you don't want to wear it then no one should make you. I have been thinking about having her wear a mask for a long time but let her tell me that she was going to be ok without it. I remember when I was young I was indestructable, looking back mostly I was lucky. This past weekend a friend of mine was hit in the face by a 90mph fastball. This kid is a stud totally athletic feared by most pitchers a great propsect, he spent a few days in the hospital has a few plates in his face, a concussion and is very luck he did not loose his eye, another quarter inch and this very talented athlete could have ended up playing on the chess team instead of leading his baseball team. Thank God he is home, recovering well and looking forward to getting back on the field. I don't think anyone should feel like any less of an athlete for wearing a mask. I still play baseball, don't laugh and I guarantee you that I wear my cup and mask when I catch.

[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.

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

Actually, they always hit at practice with their helmets on whether it be off the tee, soft toss, etc.