Player safety

The two locations that a hit can be fatal are the Throat and the Heart... is it short-sighted to suggest face protection when protecting the throat and the heart are even more important. Should we wait for a death in softball to decide on that?

 

I have heard some college coaches frown on pitchers wearing a mask. I say make it a rule in high school and ASA and everyone will follow suit. At least until their 18 years old and an adult, then they can make the decision for themselves.

 

The game of softball can be dangerous; even deadly. There are safety precautions that we can take but we can't dress them like hockey players!

I'm 100% for the face mask for pitchers (optional for others) and the helmet cage being mandatory.

There are also devices for protecting the heart that do not interfere with the player. And other devices but I don't think they need to be mandatory.

I don't know whether metal cleats are such a good idea for younger teams. 10U might not be a good idea for metal cleats.

 

Agree, mask should be mandatory

I totally agree and have gone out and bought the mask for both my DDs.
We had a pitcher on one team nailed in the forehead this summer and
laid out on the mound. This is a tough girl who has quick reflexes. Scariest thing I've ever seen . She is like a daughter to me. Thanks to God, she is
ok. I never want to see anything like that again.

I know they make heart protectors also. Need to research those further. Ones I've seen look like they would not be restrictive but would provide at
least some protection.

 

Ok, here's my take on this (for what it's worth). While i don't think a pitcher or fielder or anyone else should be penalized for NOT wearing a mask, i also don't think it should be mandatory for the older girls (younger than 14U maybe as their reflexes are not as matured). I don't like the idea of any organization completely mandating that my kid HAS to wear anything she doesn't want to. Don't see a single solitary pitcher wearing one in college, as a matter of fact most coaches would look down upon it as showing a sign of weakness (don't necessarily agree w/ it but the facts are the facts) as the kids are older. Protective wear for younger kids, sure, if you feel it's necessary. But come on guys, how many of you broke stuff or sprained stuff or cut stuff because you did something stupid as a kid. I COMPLETELY understand the need to feel like you're protecting your kids but let them have a say in it. I tried to get my youngest for about 6 monthes to try a game face(at age 14). Her comment (not mine)
"If i hit my spots the ball won't come back at me". Carleigh Nester hit a SHOT back at her in a high school game her freshman year, right at her face. What did she do, caught it, walked off the field and went "man that was a bad pitch". Just a kids words but listen to them, don't make them do it if they don't want to (once at a certain age and that doesn't have to be 18 they can make adult decisions). And don't even get my oldest started on it (a third baseman in college) LOL

 

I heard similar arguments when they were considering helmet cages. The girls now wear those without a thought about it. Many of them would not wear it if it was not mandatory. There are quite a few who can be happy they are mandatory.

If they move the pitching rubber back I wouldn't care if it was not mandatory. But 40 feet with the way the ball comes off the bat and the skill level of today's batters is just too close. Sure, most of the time the pitcher gets a glove on it, but the one time she doesn't can provide a lifetime of regret.

I recall back in the "old days" when football players didn't wear masks. Back even further they didn't wear much more than a leather cap. And baseball players didn't wear gloves. Even more recently they didn't wear helmets--until a player got killed.

On this particular subject--facemasks--I would lean towards the safety factor. They will get used to it as well as they did the batting helmet cages. I've seen some really good pitchers that wear them and they don't seem to negatively affect their game.

 

I agree woodman..... that is the DUMBEST statement I have EVER heard!

 

Personally i dont agree with that;
I know plenty of girls who cast their arms so far out
that an outside pitch comes back
straight up the middle.
I pitch for a 16u team
and i wear the mask
just for that fact.

 

Well bro I agree that at the older ages it should be up to the girls but as far as the statement about have you broke stuff or sprained stuff or cut stuff that you made it's a little different when your talking about teeth being knocked out or haveing to have reconstructive surgery on your face or possibly death. I don't care how old or good you are-as fast as that ball can come back at you a lot of times you don't have the time to react and if you don't wouldn't it be nice to have something to protect your face instead of a bad injury that could have been prevented?

 

Question

Can not parents and players decide for themselves what they want to do without a govermental body making a law or rule to protect us against ourselves? All of us are smart enough to decide if we want our child to have protection or not. Pretty simple wear protection if that is what you want!
Now the truth of things, if someone gets hurt and is not wearing a mask, they will sue ASA, NSA, USSSA, rec leagues, tournament directors, glove manufacturers, bat manufacturers and anyone else, they can think of because they got hurt! Also, if they wear a mask and manage to get hurt, the same thing will occur.
The comparison to football is not in the ball park! Football is a constant contact sport! The mask for hitting has saved some injury but again, reason for requiring may not have been driven by injury to girls. Million dollar lawsuits or potential could have assisted in getting the rule passed. MY point, I like freedom to make decisions and not have some one legislate things that can be handled in a better fashion. No problem at all with mask, with anyone wearing them, agree it is a good thing for them, just think it should be up to the player and her family.