Pitchers - Wear your masks

[ontheblack]

In the last 3 years I have seen two pitchers hit in the face and two infielders lose teeth. These 4 incidents occurred over a course of 10 games. I will never forget the sound. I will never forget sprinting from the dugout to the circle, while praying "Please Lord, let her be ok". I will never forget how I felt while I held her and checked her face, only to see a bruise and no blood. I will never forget as the game resumed, the look on the faces of each of the players as we met in the circle as a team, and the toughest kid on the team saying, "coach, why do we have to finish the game?". I will never forget how I felt when I handed my own kid the ball in the circle, and the second pitch was drilled up the middle, 6 inches over her head.

Of course it is a very emotional thing to witness. That doesnt make the argument for taking a $40, no-downside safety precaution any less valid.

The pro mandated mask crowd cannot support their argument with anything but emotion, as is typical with the liberal mindset,

I turned 18 7 days before the Presidential primary and the very first vote I ever cast was for Ronald Reagan. I am as conservative as they come.

They always know what is best for others and are not content just making their choices for themselves and moving on. They must make sure that everyone else conforms to their morally superior views

Reagan was pro-life who wanted to overturn Roe v Wade. Based on the statement above, he was really a closet liberal.

Your argument is weak. Like most things in life, this all comes down to a choice. I simply do not understand the logic of those who choose not to have their daughter wear a mask. It truly baffles me, but I hope no one ever has to witness what I have seen more than once.

[anonlooker]

Given the cases described in here of kids getting seriously hurt while wearing a mask, I guess it is "common sense" that a parent not allow their child to pitch or play one of the corners. What could possibly be the rationale for allowing it? Because the child wants to play one of those particular positions? Why put your child in a position where, no matter what currently available head protection they have on, they are subject to serious, possibly life altering if not life ending injury? I guess the only alternative is having them wear a football helmet. And why wouldn't a parent have their kid wear a football helmet if it could save their child's life? I sure hope the answer to that question uses the phrase "common sense".

Stupified Squirrel

This is an interesting point, as CIf may mandate protective headgear for pitchers and infileders for 2012.

Currently, NOCSAE does not certify any mask, unless it is connected to a helmet. I couldn't find anything on their website that they are testing any masks for certification.

The Game Face website claims no certification whatsoever.

The Rip It website claims ACE (Athletic Certified Equipment) certification. The ACE website is "currently being redesigned" and contains no information on the organization whatsoever. Google them and the name is only referenced on the Rip It web pages. Curious, no?

So lacking any mask that is certified by any authority, what equipment might CIF mandate?

While I'm sure NOCSAE could test the Rip It and Game Face prior to play 2012, I'd be shocked if those companies haven't already submitted equipment for certification. They have both been around for several years, and NOCSAE certification would be an obvious first step in gaining acceptance within the sports medicine and regulatory agencies. That they both lack NOCSAE certification may well mean that they do not meet current standards for certification. That, or they were never submitted for certification at all.

Absent certification of the Rip It or Game Face, what is left is the batting helmet and the catchers helmet.

It appears at present that if CIF does institute this mandate, all pitchers and infielders will be wearing batting helmets in 2012.

Unfortunately, the phrase "common sense" appears no where in this answer.

[anonlooker]

Doing some additional research this morning and came across the Forcefield. The website shows test results that claim to reduce impact by 80%. The cost is only $14.99. Check it out at force29.com.

Their slogan, which I've read variations of in this thread numerous times, is "Why risk injury when youcould be protected by a Forcefield?"

Alas, no NOCSAE cert here either.

[why not?]

The pro mandated mask crowd cannot support their argument with anything but emotion, as is typical with the liberal mindset, since there are no stats to support their stance.. They always know what is best for others and are not content just making their choices for themselves and moving on. They must make sure that everyone else conforms to their morally superior views.

You gotta love broad, sweeping generalizations containing ONLY opinions. Especially when they are dismissing and ridiculing people for the very same thing. Label them liberals, stereotype their personalities, mock them about a superiority complex......that will make em stop having an opinion!

Bottom line (again)......No mandates or rules needed! Do what you believe is best....mine have for several years and will continue to wear em!

[ontheblack]

Anon, you make great points.

Is CIF required to mandate equipment that only carry a specific cert?

[anonlooker]

Anon, you make great points.

Is CIF required to mandate equipment that only carry a specific cert?

I don't know the exact protocol, but from what I've read pretty much all safety equipment meets either NOCSAE or ASTM standards. If CIF merely says "protective headgear" and leaves it open to interpretation, that could result in kids wearing anything from headbands to Air Force pilot's helmets.

And they have to CYA, because you know damn well the lawyers and insurance companies are lurking not far away. So some authoritative certification and/or standard will likely be promulgated.

[anonlooker]

Anon, you make great points.

Hey Numero Uno, can I get this bronzed?

[JCates]

Given the cases described in here of kids getting seriously hurt while wearing a mask, I guess it is "common sense" that a parent not allow their child to pitch or play one of the corners. What could possibly be the rationale for allowing it? Because the child wants to play one of those particular positions? Why put your child in a position where, no matter what currently available head protection they have on, they are subject to serious, possibly life altering if not life ending injury? I guess the only alternative is having them wear a football helmet. And why wouldn't a parent have their kid wear a football helmet if it could save their child's life? I sure hope the answer to that question uses the phrase "common sense".

Stupified Squirrel

This is an interesting point, as CIf may mandate protective headgear for pitchers and infileders for 2012.

Currently, NOCSAE does not certify any mask, unless it is connected to a helmet. I couldn't find anything on their website that they are testing any masks for certification.

The Game Face website claims no certification whatsoever.

The Rip It website claims ACE (Athletic Certified Equipment) certification. The ACE website is "currently being redesigned" and contains no information on the organization whatsoever. Google them and the name is only referenced on the Rip It web pages. Curious, no?

So lacking any mask that is certified by any authority, what equipment might CIF mandate?

While I'm sure NOCSAE could test the Rip It and Game Face prior to play 2012, I'd be shocked if those companies haven't already submitted equipment for certification. They have both been around for several years, and NOCSAE certification would be an obvious first step in gaining acceptance within the sports medicine and regulatory agencies. That they both lack NOCSAE certification may well mean that they do not meet current standards for certification. That, or they were never submitted for certification at all.

Absent certification of the Rip It or Game Face, what is left is the batting helmet and the catchers helmet.

It appears at present that if CIF does institute this mandate, all pitchers and infielders will be wearing batting helmets in 2012.

Unfortunately, the phrase "common sense" appears no where in this answer.

Considering your post regarding the visit to your psychiatrist maybe we should have a standard to keep pervs away from the fields. My daughter might be at the same complex you are one day.

Since Spaz is a fan of Thomas Jefferson (and I happen to agree with the TJ quote at the bottom of Spaz's posts)...I found another TJ quote I happen to agree with:

“I can never fear that things will go far wrong where common sense has fair play.”
Thomas Jefferson

[anonlooker]

So JC, are you now contending that only perverts have sex with educated women? And then go to the park and watch the children of retarded parents play softball?

In light of the logical fallacy of your other posts, this doesn't surprise me at all.

[JCates]

So JC, are you now contending that only perverts have sex with educated women? And then go to the park and watch the children of retarded parents play softball?

In light of the logical fallacy of your other posts, this doesn't surprise me at all.

No they just cannot seem to refrain from having a discussion about girls softball without bringing it into the discussion for shock value.

Have a great Easter weekend.