Who is going to protect them?

jba4ever wrote: 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.
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I never stated that or implied that in any post I have written. I stated that I will make my choice for my DD and you make your choice for your DD. In a previous post I said that if my DD pitched, I then would make the choice whether I or my DD felt the mask was needed. My DD carries a mask in her bag. She played 2nd base and used it for a few months after getting hit in the face on a bad hop ground ball, but discarded it after that.
From all the posts here, it seems that I have the only DD in all of NC softball that does not wear a game face. The majority of girls do not wear them!

 

Now there's a good case for the use of one. She got hit, used the mask until she got her confidence back, and put the mask away; hopefully permanently.

I agree that the vast majority doesn't need to wear a mask. I'm advocating for those few, relatively speaking, that do nee them. Your daughter may not be one of them.

I do favor pitchers wearing it; at all levels (except pro).

 

As a player, I don't wear one and I play infield...the only person who I think should wear them is pitchers (except good HS pitchers and def. not college pitchers) . I don't think there is a need for anyone else to wear one unless they are scared, which if the are you probably shouldn't be playing this level of ball... Who's choice is it to wear one anyway...?

 

as an fyi ... safety is not a gender biased issue.

NCAA News Release

Composite Bat Moratorium is Proposed by NCAA Baseball Rules Committee

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Contact(s)
Cameron Schuh
Associate Director for Public and Media Relations
317/917-6117


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INDIANAPOLIS -- Based on membership concerns and research conducted at its Division I Baseball Championship, the NCAA Baseball Rules Committee is proposing an indefinite moratorium on the use of composite barreled bats in NCAA competition, effective immediately. This action applies to all divisions.
“The committee received a considerable amount of membership comment and concern about composite bats,” said Bob Brontsema, chair of the committee and head coach at the University of California, Santa Barbara. “The rules committee’s role is to investigate issues such as this and further the integrity of the game and the safety of our student-athletes. After a considerable amount of research, dialog and consideration, it seems clear that the membership concerns are legitimate and action is needed.”
During the 2009 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, 25 composite bats were selected for Ball Exit Speed Ratio (BESR) certification tests. Of the 25 composite bats, 20 failed the official BESR test for current NCAA performance levels. Because all bat designs must pass this test before mass production, this research indicates that the performance of such bats changed thereafter, most likely due to repeated, normal use and/or intentional alteration.
“While the committee does not believe tampering or altering of bats is widespread, there is evidence that it has occurred,” said Brontsema. “The larger issue here is that the performance of composite bats improves through repeated, normal use and these bats often exceed acceptable levels. By removing these bats from competition, we believe all bats used will be at or below acceptable levels.”
In proposing an indefinite moratorium, the committee is requesting manufacturers and the baseball community suggest ways that would allow composite bats to be used in play within NCAA guidelines and parameters.
“If alternative testing and policing methods are proven to ensure compliance with current BESR standards, the committee will consider lifting the moratorium,” Brontsema said. “Based on the research, we believe this is the right step to protect the integrity of the game.”
The committee’s proposal will be sent to the membership for comment and be reviewed by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel. PROP’s next conference-call meeting is scheduled for July 29.
Starting January 1, 2011, the NCAA will use a new method for testing and reporting data, called the Bat-Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR). This decision was announced at the committee’s July 2008 meeting. The performance standard in the BBCOR, the committee believes, will continue the NCAA effort to allow only non-wood products that perform like their wood counterparts.
“The committee hopes that a viable solution can be found with regard to composite bats with the shift to the BBCOR standard in 2011,” Brontsema said. “We recognize that the new performance level will be difficult to meet with traditional non-wood materials. We look forward to working with manufacturers to find a solution to this issue, but realize it may take some time and effort on the part of all interested parties.”

 

You can say that again!!

I wonder how this affects TB, HS, ASA, etc. And if it has immediate effect?

Maybe this will be mentioned at the coaches' clinic in Greensboro tomorrow.

 

In reply to bothsportsdad's post

I have been reading post after post without reply. I am finally glad to see that someone understands what the problem really is. It isn't the need for more safety equipment, it is the banning of composite bats. Softball bat manufacturers has turned the game of softball into a home run derby. In my day, the only ones hitting homeruns were the girls who were very strong, had a very good and fast swing or all the forces were just right in the universe to send the ball out. We played with aluminum and the game of softball was a different game. Nowadays, there are girls hitting balls out left and right with very little effort. Until someone puts a stop to the composite bats, the balls will continue to explode off the bats at any infielder.

 

it seems that I have the only DD in all of NC softball that does not wear a game face. The majority of girls do not wear them![/quote]

No Viking1, your dd isn't the only one who doesn't use hers. My dd who's a pitcher & plays SS also has one. For the most part she really doesn't like to wear hers. I have given her the freedom to make that choice. She is 15 going on 16 and for the most part I feel she is capable to make the decision to wear it or not. The only time I might interject is if I know the team has someone who commonly hits it back up the middle. And no, I don't always know who can do that but I trust my kids judgement as well as her ability. I am usually the one who has more fear of her getting her then what she does but that is not uncommon for a parent.

I was at the game this weekend that the person who started this thread is talking about. The young lady he is talking about plays on my dd's team. I would be the first to say that what I saw was very scary. When the young lady took the shot to her face the first thing that went through my mind was my dd wearing her mask. When my dd came in off the field the first things she said to me was because that happened it doesn't mean that will happen to her. I am still leaving it up to her to wear it or not. If she choose not to then I'm ok with that. At some point in time in her life she has to make her own decision weather I agree with them or not.

 

I think the thing that inspired this thread is hearing of or seeing it, or talking to a Mom or Dad going through a really severe injury. My DD's torn ACL was heart breaking. The isolation and loneliness you feel working to get back while eveyone else is playing. The day after day after day of rehab, and the only hope is that you know you'll eventually heal and get back out there. But nerves take a LONG time to heal, and while we worked back from the knee my wife would comment....JUST THANK GOD IT WAS NOT A HEAD INJURY! This thread was not a post to tell anyone how to live. We all make our beds and we have to lay in them, but when your DD has gone through a severe injury it changes you, especially if it's one to the head. My intent on the thread was really just a reminder....be safe not sorry. It's not worth it.