joeA, ?I kind of understand where you're coming from. ?The votes for an either or poll may show something different. ?But, only 26% of 274 people voted to leave all as is. ?The mandatory facemask was the majority over everything else including doing nothing. ? Which is all was was saying above. ?What I took away from the pool, and we're all different of course, is that people want something done, which was all I was looking for. ?That being do something or do nothing. ?My dd doesn't pitch and or play 3rd, but if she did, she'd be wearing one. ?Too pretty and precious to me to even take that chance. ?But I know we all look at how much of a chance is really being taken though, so I'm surely not saying that anybodys dd is not as pretty and as precious to them. ?Of course they are.
As for mandating it, the reality is the risk is low overall. ?But the results each time it happens is pretty rough. ?Parents have the choice currently, as did the 2 sets of parents that didn't force their dds to wear them before they got hit in the head. (the 2 instances that prompted me to do this poll). ? They're very lucky and I'd bet you they think that now. ? Lots of things are mandated by the govt and most people hate it when that happens. ? Speed limits, bike helmets, seat belts, car seats for small kids, etc ,etc. ?But the problem is, if things are not mandated too many parents think it won't happen to their child. ?Which is human nature. ? What really should happen is the sanctioning bodies of softball should get together and discuss the issue, together. ?Listen to what the public has to say also. ?Coaches, players, parents, Doctors, etc. ?Then after that, either change it or not based on what was heard. ? If the decision is to not change anything then fine. ?At least it was very seriously addressed. ?But the one problem I have is with people so against "changing the game" they refuse to see that the game has already changed. ? ?Mostly due to the technology in the equipment and the advancement in the skills of the average player, overall, from a hitting standpoint. ?More girls work more months out of the year refining their skills than they did even 4 years ago. ?Then they get a Rocketech put in their hands that sends a well struck ball back at the pitcher 35ft away after release, or 3rd basemen, ?at 90+, at least. ?My dd uses a rockettech btw. ? ?Which is why my vote went to move the mound back and the facemasks, instead of changing the bats. ?I just started the poll to see what people thought. ?I'm not as passionate about it as it may sound, as my dd plays ss and outfield usually and never has pitched. ?But thats not to say I don't feel for the girls who do get hit, because as a parent, I can only imagine what that must feel like for those parents. ?Scary. ?
Also a reality, is that the softball community is only a few more ball to the head injuries away from the govt stepping in and making something mandatory. Wouldn't people rather the sanctioning bodies, where all of us may have at least some input into, make the decision rather than the govt? If not, big brother will step in and do something soon I'll bet. Question is after how many more balls to the head do we have before they do that. Then god knows that they, the govt, will come up with. None of us may like what they come up with.