Fastpitch Face Mask Required
This year our girls must wear helmets with a face masks (high school softball, Hawaii). Some of our girls hit with face masks before, but most haven't. This will be an adjustment we work on throughout pre-season. Right now, the girls hit with masks during tee work, soft toss, basically as much as possible. For one of our smaller girls, the bottom of the mask actually touches her shoulder when she gets into her batting stance.
Last year, we tried to have them practice with the masks since we knew they'd have to do it this year. Talk about grumbling! They just didn't want to do it.
"The bars get in the way"
"I can't see the ball!"
Well, this year, they have to deal with it. There hasn't been the same kind of resistance we got last year, but we still hear a few comments about what's tough about hitting with a face mask. Last week though, we had them hit off the machine for the first time. Most are doing just fine. If there were players that thought about using the mask as an excuse, they know they'll find themselves on the bench. Most of their teammates hit just fine, in fact, better than I was expecting....even with the mask. So us coaches already know, the mask is no excuse.
Last year, we tried to have them practice with the masks since we knew they'd have to do it this year. Talk about grumbling! They just didn't want to do it.
"The bars get in the way"
"I can't see the ball!"
Well, this year, they have to deal with it. There hasn't been the same kind of resistance we got last year, but we still hear a few comments about what's tough about hitting with a face mask. Last week though, we had them hit off the machine for the first time. Most are doing just fine. If there were players that thought about using the mask as an excuse, they know they'll find themselves on the bench. Most of their teammates hit just fine, in fact, better than I was expecting....even with the mask. So us coaches already know, the mask is no excuse.
posted by Stacie | 8:33 AM
3 Comments:
I am from Tx. My daughter recently got hit by the ball in the eye area. She had a mild concussion. It is very scarry to see your daughter get hit by the ball. Wearing a infield face mask is not required yet here, I think it should be! These high school level kids are throwing and hitting harder and faster with all this new and improved fastpitch tech. So please let your girls know that it is for the best,unless they want to be out for a while. If they are anything like my daughter,she thinks the world ends cause she can't play ball
Lubbock,tx
Yea I think they are great my daughter hit a girl at 3rd that was not wearing one. I think it should be mandatory for all the girls to have to wear this.
I agree that it is very scary to see someone get hit. my sister is a pitcher and just got hit in the face. But i still dont think this will solve anything by making them wear a face mask. For the time being it will help, but the technology of the bats is getting out of hand. i think that by toning down the bats will have a greater effect then making them wear face masks.
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