Who is going to protect them?

You're right, we don't need to be thinking of someone as evil. I'm sure no one intentionally endangers their DD.

I have to agree there are some players that probably don't need the face guard. I really don't see the need for it at middle infield at all. First and third might need one; especially third. However, most of that danger could be eliminated by playing back a little more often. Near 60' it's a lot less dangerous. I've seen quite a few 3rd basemen playing in as close as 10' or less when expecting a bunt. I think that was probably Christie Thomas' normal setup.

I would strongly recommend that parents and coaches evaluate the skill level of their 3rd baseman and the level of competition they're facing in determining whether to require that player to wear the guard.

I would do everything possible to convince my pitcher to wear the guard regardless of their skill level. There are some pitchers who should be required to wear the guard until they're at a higher skill level.

viking is right that we can't protect every player from every danger and maybe shouldn't force it down someone's throat but parents and coaches should evaluate their players on an individual basis and follow their commonsense and conscience.

I'm in favor of the face guard for pitchers at all levels but I'm not sure about making it mandatory at all levels.

I'll throw a little gas on the fire by saying that I believe there are situations where an umpire should intervene when they see an inexperienced pitcher, for example, facing a much superior lineup. I believe that falls within the realm of their obligation to conduct a safe game.

 

Why would anyone let their DD play softball at all if there is a chance of getting hurt?

 

here is an example of a mask scenario that is not about making an informed decision as a parent for our kids....

3 years ago we are playing in a pre season scrimmage tourney at the HS level against a private school who has an inexperienced coach and is frankly not very good.. many players with limited experience at multiple positions.

Our cleanup hitter who is perhaps the most dangerous power hitter I have ever seen at the prep level come up runner on first nobody out. Of course the coach knew little of this players potential but she should have known from her build and batting 4th that she was a threat to hit the ball hard. Instead she simply plays it straight up... well runner on first she is a threat to bunt.

The third baseman comes in to play the bunt and is no more than 30 feet from the plate. It was clear from watching her play to that point that she was not a player who had played the game for very long or at a very high level. She had little in the way of skills and perhaps less athleticism.

All I could see was our batter hitting a shot right at her face. I called time and as an asst walked to the coach in the third base box and asked her to move her player back.. that there was no way we were going to bunt in this situation. Fortunatley, she listened... later that year the same batter hit a rope that broke our head coaches arm in the third base box.

Who's is making an informed decison about a mask for that third baseman in this circumstance? An inexperienced coach? Parents who probably have only watched a church league softball game before? Or perhaps the player who is a minor and has no skills, no experience and little raw athleticism?

 

Nice

With your two post, you hit it! Skill level, years playing ball, experience, athleticism, should there be some type of qualifying form or information required before a team can play in certain tournaments? There are teams playing in some of these tournaments that have no business playing against the better teams. Just recently in Florence a pitcher was hit in the side before she could react at all, another player on same team was hit as well and they were getting beat 10-0 before an out was made. I am sure they all were good kids but did not have the experience or the skill level to be playing in the tournament. That is usually when kids get hurt when they are totally over matched. Not always, I understand but I bet we could cut down on injuries at least in travel ball by understanding the skill levels of the teams. Coaches of teams should know as well if there team is ready for a competitive circuit.
Anyway, good post bothsportsdad

 

Just answer this

I don't want to push anything down on you VIKing. Not my intent. But can you answer this? When your DD plays on her team. Does she wear a batting helmet in the batters box? Why... Does she wear a mouth piece when she is playing in the field in positions that require a mouth piece? Why... Catcher is optional. If the assoc that she plays in then requires her to wear a mask for safty. Would you stay or move to another? Why... And I don't know of any Assoc NSA, ASA ect. that will let a player bat or play in the field without these things. Most even don't allow jewerly or ear rings. Again your choice......

 

Good Idea!

That's a great idea. Let the umpire make the call. If a player goes down from a shot to the head with a ball or any other questionable injury, and the players goes to the ground, limps around, can't see straight, has her braces stuck inside her lips, whatever....let the umps make the call as to whether a player should continue to play or go to the bench. That way it takes it out of an overbearing parent or coaches hands and protects the players safety whether the coaches or parents like it or not. I'm talking the safety of a player here, not whether you choose to have your DD wear protective gear or not. I think some got off thread a little. Great posts though.

 

....Perfect! My team was in a game in TB, at that time these kids were top 3 or 4, if not #1, in NC, and actually they were ranked the #1 USSSA 14u A team in the entire USA that year. I've gotta think that common sense has got to play are part in safety of players, especially when their is a glowing talent difference of teams and someone might get hurt, I mean seriously hurt. Anyway, how ironic that Phreak brought up Christie Thomas. One of, if not the best 3B that I've ever seen, AND she would crush a ball down the 3B line in a heartbeat. As the 3B coach, I promise you, I'd move back towards LF just to give me some relief from a masher off Christies bat.
Everytime a kid playing 3B was up close when Christie was at bat, I'd tell the opposing coach to back her up, and we would not bunt.
Wow! Trust me on this one, only ONCE, did I have a coach and for that matter, the parents chap off at me and tell me to coach my own damn team!
I could not live with myself as I'm sure the rest of you would agree if ya'll were in a position to keep a kid out of harms way, and we did nothing, that resulted in God forbid real injury, we'd never get over that.

Oh, BTW, Christie ended up crushing one down the RF line. Oh well?... True story.

Props to my buddy bothsportsdad for an excellent post!


Fishman

 

Whether you believe it or not, we are not that far apart on this. You are concerned with it being forced on you. If it is made mandatory then I believe it is being forced on me (us). I would prefer to “police” myself and hopefully keep it a choice. Once the governing bodies take up the issue and they have heard from everyone from parent to coach to insurance to lawyer etc. I feel certain to remove any confusion they would simply say make it a requirement for every position on the field. Then what have we gained? Where you feel that me and others are being reactive, I actually feel we are being proactive because right now the collective participants are deciding. However, if we all were to follow your line of thinking and do absolutely nothing until it is forced on us by making it mandatory; the mentioned governing bodies would certainly go overboard with additional rules and regulations and might not stop with every position on the field having to wear one. How many times have you seen a foul ball enter into a dugout and bounce around? They may say, since we are looking to end head injuries, let’s make everyone in the dugout wear their batting helmets if the ball can enter.

Yes, my reference to catcher’s gear, umpire’s gear, and batter’s gear was strictly to point out how they are part of the game and have been part of the game and have had no adverse effect on the game and maybe because a catcher, umpire, or batter in days gone by accepted it on their own it was not mandated for every position on the field.

Yes, as I mentioned previously, my oldest daughter wears all of her catcher’s gear before she enters the field.

Yes, as I failed to mention before, my youngest daughter wears a face guard. Her primary position is SS and I know it is not a hot spot like pitcher or 3rd but she has worn one since 10u when her coach required ALL positions to wear one. When she gets called to cover a outfield position, she grabs the face guard without even thinking about it, second nature.

Finally, even with all the pads and equipment, injuries can and do happen in football but they do help to reduce or eliminate most of the common ones. No, I never experience any pulled or torn hamstrings just minor aches and pains mainly but thanks for your concern. Things happen, that is my whole point. You have been breathing since you were born, every second since that day. I would not want to get into your personal affairs but that as been a few years for me. We should be pretty good at it though as long as we have been doing it. How many times a year do you get choked? On a positive note, I read through the thread beforehand, we can agree on cell phones. My wife and kids tell me I have one, I am just not sure I could put my hands on it right now without having to look for it…..

 

Great Forum!

Thanks! Great board and forum, I am enjoying it so far.

 

I see; I thought we were discussing protective equipment.

When a player is injured in a game an evaluation of the severity of the injury is absolutely necessary. A knee or other joint injury doesn't necessarily call for the emergency action that a head shot would call for. But they shouldn't be allowed to continue to play with a joint injury (even a mild one) because that can cause much more severe (possibly permanent) injury. Any type of head injury MUST be taken seriously. If there is to be an error it needs to be made on the side of safety.

We had a player injure her knee during the State Games this year. She was one of the best players we had. She's a gutsy player and we knew she would go back in but we chose not to take the chance. It ended up she did have a serious injury. If we had allowed her to play it's certain she would have been more seriously injured. She would have made a difference in the outcome of that game but at least we will see that player playing again hopefully by the fall.

I witnessed a player get hit directly in the front of her batting helmet while attempting a bunt this year. It ended up she had a serious concussion. If her safety had been ignored she could have ended up in a very bad way.

I saw a collision this past weekend between an infielder and an outfielder both hustling for a fly ball. Thankfully, both of them were transported to the hospital and are doing fine I've heard.

A player should be observed very closely after any kind of head injury. If there is any doubt whatsoever they should be transported. If there is a loss of consciousness they should be transported regardless of whether they regain consciousness.

As far as who is going to protect them? I can't imagine any parent who is aware of the possible medical issues not protecting them. Coaches should be aware enough of first aid issues not to endanger a player. If a coach has been around a player long enough they will know that player's threshold. A player that is usually tough, for example, is out of it, that's a serious sign.

Most everyone knows that the player will most likely want to continue playing in spite of an injury. So they are the last one to rely on.

Bottom line: someone (and, indeed, it could be an ump) needs to step up and err on the side of safety. There will be other games. By the same token, you can't take a kid out because she skins her knee and has blood running down her leg.