It is absolutely the responsibility of the sanctioning bodies to mandate rules to protect the players from unnecessary risks.
The NFHS has rules that govern batting helmets, catchers equipment, bats, etc... . These rules also cover such personal items as eye black, jewelry and uniform colors. The PIAA umpires are mandated to inspect every bat, helmet and catchers gear before every game. The coaches have to then certify that their players are properly equipped and meet all NFHS rules. The sanctioning bodies take player safety very seriously as they should.
They evaluate their rules and modify them as they see fit to improve the game and to increase its safety. Every year they come out with a new rule book for a reason. We have not been able to deaden the ball, to make the bats less hot or forbid batters from working out, in fact we like the offense that has developed over the last decade so we'll likely not do much to discourage that offensive jump.
Certainly we can educate parents as to the advantages of a fielder's mask for their dd at all levels but I think it is time to go beyond voluntary measures and truly protect these young players from these life changing preventable injuries to the face.
The NFHS has rules that govern batting helmets, catchers equipment, bats, etc... . These rules also cover such personal items as eye black, jewelry and uniform colors. The PIAA umpires are mandated to inspect every bat, helmet and catchers gear before every game. The coaches have to then certify that their players are properly equipped and meet all NFHS rules. The sanctioning bodies take player safety very seriously as they should.
They evaluate their rules and modify them as they see fit to improve the game and to increase its safety. Every year they come out with a new rule book for a reason. We have not been able to deaden the ball, to make the bats less hot or forbid batters from working out, in fact we like the offense that has developed over the last decade so we'll likely not do much to discourage that offensive jump.
Certainly we can educate parents as to the advantages of a fielder's mask for their dd at all levels but I think it is time to go beyond voluntary measures and truly protect these young players from these life changing preventable injuries to the face.