Food for thought

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Even though I've been converted to believing in the mask for pitchers--- and I don't think it's a bad idea for 1st and 3rd basemen-- it's still a big stretch to put one on a shortstop or second baseman, and I find it absolutely silly when I see one on an outfielder. Can you take one in the face at short? Of course. But at some point you just have to either get some reflexes or find another game.

 

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I'm with thetruth. Pitcher and corners should/must have a mask on!

 

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The Truth and SVOP must think wearing a mask hinders your play, otherwise why care if short or 2nd wear one? I doubt Truth is a girl who has played with and without one to know but what about SVOP?

 

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Even though I've been converted to believing in the mask for pitchers--- and I don't think it's a bad idea for 1st and 3rd basemen-- it's still a big stretch to put one on a shortstop or second baseman, and I find it absolutely silly when I see one on an outfielder. Can you take one in the face at short? Of course. But at some point you just have to either get some reflexes or find another game.

I'm interested in what changed your mind. If I remember correctly, you were very vocal about how silly our girls looked who wore them, and had several posts dedicated to that subject. I also believe there were references to, the need for the mask relating to, the defenders ability or inability as it were.

 

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there are times the SS and 2nd play very close or see a player that ropes a ball or isn't focused 100% on a particular play, I choose to error the safe side regardless of talent or reflexes. My own motto is "if it can...it will". Over thinking on this subject can be done and I'm not letting any of my players say otherwise on this subject...even when we move up!! If they oppose, I have plenty of bench space or they can play outfield. Shouldn't be that difficult although my oldest DD fights me to this day

 

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Heres my thought. If everyone is saying it should be mandatory or a rule for pitchers, the corners or the whole infield. I agree, but what is the big picture telling us, I think it is this simple thing that no one is looking at.

" The pitchers and the bases are just to close to home plate period. "
I think Pitchers should be at 50ft and bases at 70ft miniumum.

How did they pick 60'-6" for baseball pitchers and 90' for bases, was this by guessing or just picking the distances out of the air, or did they feel this was a safe distance to be at. Because this is not a huge deal in baseball, you dont see baseball players wearing the game face. And if any do its because of fastpitch accidents. I think they got the distances wrong when they choose 40' and 60' for fast pitch.

 

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Hey mustohiofastpitch,

I think a mask should be mandatory for pitchers and corners. Middle infielders and outfielders it should be optional. I would never tell a kid the can't use there mask. I believe that no matter how much skill you have 30 -- 40 feet is not enough time to react in some cases.

 

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So... what about at the college level? And... did anyone see the MLB pitcher (I forget the team) take one to the head yesterday?

 

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Wow! No I didn't. Is he okay?

 

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Giants pitcher Joe Martinez and I believe he has a slight concussion with cut on forehead. Ouch!

 

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Hey mustohiofastpitch,

I think a mask should be mandatory for pitchers and corners. Middle infielders and outfielders it should be optional. I would never tell a kid the can't use there mask. I believe that no matter how much skill you have 30 -- 40 feet is not enough time to react in some cases.

Just like back seat passengers are not required to wear a seatbelt??;& If your going to implement a law/rule, make sure it's not impartial. All infielders or none is my recommendation. I can see it now my 3rd baseman running head on into my SS and that Rip-It mask knocking her teeth out or causing a laceration.

On a side note my 16U DD plays third and will not wear a mask. I've asked her about wearing one, but she fought me on it. Start them early!!

 

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I saw the Iowa pitcher wearing one like ****** players do to protect the high forehead last week. Our JV pitcher took a direct shot to the Sternum last night and luckily only bruised and out for a week we heard.

 

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Video of the Giants pitcher getting drilled in the head last night.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iek2F6yJ300

Ouch! They said he has a concussion but other than that should be fine. Very lucky.

 

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about 10 years ago I worked with a guy that was at the Reds game and during the warm-ups, one of the Atlanta Braves hit a ball foul down the first base side and hit this guy in the face when he wasn't looking. His eye socket, check bone, and facial skin had to be rebuilt or a years time. The major league pitchers are much closer than him and this Giants pitcher was very lucky.

 

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What converted me was a shot my own daughter hit up the middle last summer that I'm convinced would have killed the opposing pitcher had it been three inches to the left as it whizzed by her face. She never even reacted.

 

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I have heard now from 2 seperate people that before or during a high school game the OHSAA umpire said the gameface was illegal as it was not certified (like a batting helmet cage). I don't think any gameface nor rip-it mask is certified. After those 2 discussions, I told my DD's, if they have an idiot OHSAA umpire that tells them they are not allowed to play third or pitch unless they remove their gameface to walk off the field. MY daughters play with gamefaces, if they aren't allowed, they don't play, and that's MY rule, which supercede any OHSAA umpire's 'opinion'.

 

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I agree OUTCAST... keep it going and make sure you question the Ump in front of the bench and parents loudly. Might as well get something out of chalking up a loss!

Not that I say that, where is it the OHSAA rule book that this is illegal? That ump needs a to buy a bunch of chickens and needs to begin bossing them around. Or he should go and shampoo a cat!! Both would be fun to watch. Rules are rules but that is down right stupid-IMO!!

 

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I have heard now from 2 seperate people that before or during a high school game the OHSAA umpire said the gameface was illegal as it was not certified (like a batting helmet cage). I don't think any gameface nor rip-it mask is certified. After those 2 discussions, I told my DD's, if they have an idiot OHSAA umpire that tells them they are not allowed to play third or pitch unless they remove their gameface to walk off the field. MY daughters play with gamefaces, if they aren't allowed, they don't play, and that's MY rule, which supercede any OHSAA umpire's 'opinion'.

NOCSAE "National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment" those of us who umpire this is what we are looking for on Helmets, Catcher's Helmet and Mask Combination they are required to meet the new NOCSAE Safety Requirements.

As for the GameFace and Rip-It not sure if the are NOCSAE APPROVED but neither can I find a rule that states that they are illegal for a pitcher to wear unlike the NFHS 1-6-1 Rule which states that the BATTING HELMETS must have a permanently affixed NOCSAE Stamp, as well as NFHS 1-6-6 BATTING HELMET FACE PROTECTOR, and 1-7-1 CATCHER'S HELMET AND MASK COMBINATION must have a permanently affixed NOCSAE Stamp. No mention of the Faceguard for the Pitcher, But I'll keep looking!

FASTPITCH! Anything else, And you're playing to SLOW!

 

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dd has worn one since they came on the scene 5 years ago or so..........best 45 bucks I have ever spent

Tim

 

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Boulder - I remember her coming in from third in that red and blue gameface yelling bunt!!! You guys were our arch nemesis during MS ball a few years ago!

Fastpitchblue - thanks for looking, if an ump declares them illegal and the girls are not allowed to wear them, that ruling would apply to anything on the face of the girls' I would surmise, so all sunglasses and prescription glasses without that certification would need to go too...for that matter, I would push even contacts and mouthpieces...!! Yeh, I know that sounds idiotic, but look where it started...;&