coachjwb
Well-Known Member
I decided to start another thread on the subject of face masks. Most of us agree that corners and pitchers should wear them, while there's not as much consensus as to whether they should be mandated.
Folks, as the point has been made many times, someone is going to eventually get killed. We have heard dozens of stories in the last few years of very serious injuries, and other near misses. We also know that some players don't wear them because they're afraid they either won't get recruited or are actually already in a situation where a coach either frowns on them, or outright won't play players who wear them. And then there's always the peer pressure thing ... some who don't wear them will make fun of those who do.
It's time to do something and it's time for those of us who feel strongly about the subject to at least try to make a difference. We've talked about more players beginning to wear them at the college level, but they're still few and far between, and it's going too slow. It just ain't going to happen unless the sanctioning bodies mandate it, and the sanctioning bodies apparently need some prodding for that to happen.
Please think about this some more, and whether you want your own DD or granddaughter to one day suffer a terrible injury because they're not wearing one. Think about whether your inaction might have contributed to someone else's DD and family to go through this. I am forming a group to explore what can and should be done, and then to take the lead to do it. I believe we will likely end up putting together a letter with a lot of facts and get a bunch of signatures to petitition the sanctioning bodies .... OHSAA, NCAA, PGF, ASA, USSSA, and NSA for starters.
The game we love and talk about here is different than any other. While it's most similar to baseball, the bases are much closer and small ball is more prevalent. It's taken mandating over the years to get hockey to wear face masks, and for multiple sports to utilize helmets. Everyone is much more aware these days of what damage concussions can do, and certainly there have been many concussions suffered from the lack of face masks, while many others have been prevented by the use of face masks especially with younger players.
Please consider volunteering to help me with effort. I've already had 2 people do so, but we need more. Also, if you know someone who has lived through the horror of having their daughter badly injured, and who might be willing to help as well. Please PM or e-mail me at jffbaker3@gmail.com if you're interested in maybe just saving a life one day ...
Folks, as the point has been made many times, someone is going to eventually get killed. We have heard dozens of stories in the last few years of very serious injuries, and other near misses. We also know that some players don't wear them because they're afraid they either won't get recruited or are actually already in a situation where a coach either frowns on them, or outright won't play players who wear them. And then there's always the peer pressure thing ... some who don't wear them will make fun of those who do.
It's time to do something and it's time for those of us who feel strongly about the subject to at least try to make a difference. We've talked about more players beginning to wear them at the college level, but they're still few and far between, and it's going too slow. It just ain't going to happen unless the sanctioning bodies mandate it, and the sanctioning bodies apparently need some prodding for that to happen.
Please think about this some more, and whether you want your own DD or granddaughter to one day suffer a terrible injury because they're not wearing one. Think about whether your inaction might have contributed to someone else's DD and family to go through this. I am forming a group to explore what can and should be done, and then to take the lead to do it. I believe we will likely end up putting together a letter with a lot of facts and get a bunch of signatures to petitition the sanctioning bodies .... OHSAA, NCAA, PGF, ASA, USSSA, and NSA for starters.
The game we love and talk about here is different than any other. While it's most similar to baseball, the bases are much closer and small ball is more prevalent. It's taken mandating over the years to get hockey to wear face masks, and for multiple sports to utilize helmets. Everyone is much more aware these days of what damage concussions can do, and certainly there have been many concussions suffered from the lack of face masks, while many others have been prevented by the use of face masks especially with younger players.
Please consider volunteering to help me with effort. I've already had 2 people do so, but we need more. Also, if you know someone who has lived through the horror of having their daughter badly injured, and who might be willing to help as well. Please PM or e-mail me at jffbaker3@gmail.com if you're interested in maybe just saving a life one day ...
