Questions about the headgears..

[matthyup]

Hi, I'm a product design student doing a research/project on headgears for baseball players. I wanted to see if I could get some opinions from softball players. - I'd appreciate it if you guys could let me know if there are more appropriate places I could ask these questions, as well thanks!

-----


1. Did you guys ever pitch with a head protection gear like a helmet? Was this required? Was this a personal choice?
2. How did you feel when you first wore the equipment? Any discomfort?
3. Did you ever get used to it? Did the initial discomfort or inconvenience go away? Was there any type of discomfort that didn’t go away?

4. IF there was something significantly uncomfortable about the device:
What was the major issue with this?
Would you wear one even if this is not required - in a competitive game?

5.When you bought the gear, was there a specific reason that made you buy the one from others?

7. Just out of curiosity, how do players customize or personalize their equipment? Are there any mods that people do to their glove, bats, etc.?

-------

If you never played/ pitched with these devices - what is your opinion about it? Is this something that you'd likely try out in the future - is this something that you'd ONLY try if just more people are wearing them?

I'd appreciate for any answer opinion about this subject matter in general. As I mentioned, I am doing this for baseball pitchers, but I was thinking that it would be nice to hear some opinions from softball players, which seems like there are more regulations regarding the head protection gears.

Thanks!

 

[yocoach]

I am a Travel Ball Coach but I can answer many of your questions.
1. There are no rules anywhere mandating the use of any type of headgear or facemasks while pitching in Softball. As a mater of fact, there are no rules regulating the construction, the materials used or anything else about facemasks. That said, most Softball pitchers will wear a facemask from the time they step into the pitching circle at age 8 until they get to college level and even then, we are seeing more college pitchers wearing them now.
2. Most players/pitchers are so used to wearing a mask in the pitching circle that they don't even notice it.
3. The differences in facemask fit are minimal (although there are some) so many choose whichever option offers their favorite color or team color. The exception to this is when the pitcher prefers a lighter mask weight-wise and yes, there are several models out their that weigh about 1/2 of a standard mask from certain manufacturers.
4. Batting helmets may be painted but at the Travel Ball level of play, part of the team fees cover the purchase of matching batting helmets for the entire team so any painting is frowned upon. Gloves may be customized and many use the manufacturer's website to do so. Everything from the color of the main leather to color of the laces to color of the stitching, webbing style, banding etc, etc. are able to be chosen. Some even go so far as having their jersey number, team name or last name embroidered on the glove. As for bats, bats are not allowed to be altered in any way, shape or form according to the rules for obvious reasons.

 

[jayflyer98]

I agree with everything "yocoach" wrote. I can also make a few additional comments as a softball coach and a former college baseball pitcher.
- I have never seen any protective gear for baseball pitchers. The distance is 50% longer for baseball which allows for more reaction time.
- A softball pitchers finish is pretty much upright where a baseball pitchers finish is bending over, so the facemask used for softball likely would not work for baseball as it will flop around and fall off.
- I have often wondered if a facemask similar to what softball wear could have some benefit for little league baseball players if fearful. To help teach proper mechanics (distances are similar or the same for little league baseball and all levels of softball) and not be afraid of the ball.

Just some thoughts that I thought might help you with your project. Baseball pitchers getting hit in the face happen far less then softball. However, I did witness one in college that will never leave my head. It happened down at the College of Charleston. Their pitcher got hit with a liner back up the middle.. (The batter was actually Matt Bailey's brother-in-law who I played college ball with) I was on deck and it was the worst thing I have ever seen in a game. Not only did the pitcher never play the game of baseball again, he missed two years of college because of multiple reconstructive surgeries.