Pitchers - Wear your masks

[ontheblack]

20 years ago when Smith and Hernandez were pitching at a younger age, I am pretty sure they did not have a mask on and were 3' closer (regardless of the new bat tech).

You cant compare elite pitchers to adolescent and teen girls without those same skills. Try reading what he wrote.
The reality is that the game has changed. Hitters are better. Bats are off the hook. Bat exit speed standards are actually lower than they used to be
I get that its a parental issue, but at least make a salient argument and dont compare Olympic athletes to kids. Again, try reading what he wrote
Also, that extra 3 feet benefits the hitter more than the pitcher. Not when it comes to reaction time
Add in bat technology and your example is silly.

Maybe you to can make a salient argument..

I did read what was written.

20 years ago Michele Smith was 25 (and a member of Team USA) and Lisa Fernandez was 20 (and won a gold Medal at the Pan Am Games that year).

The bats I played with 25 years ago (when those two were in college and HS) were not nearly as good as the ones on the fields today. Can you point me to anything that shows that 20-25 years ago bat exit speeds were faster?

[lvtwft]

Ill correct the time frame...30 years.
The point was they had to pitch with no mask at 3' feet shorter at 12u/14u/16u/18u.
Before they had mask. But I am pretty sure you figured that out before hand

[ontheblack]

There is even less comparison to the game 30 years ago. The first double wall aluminum didnt come out until 1983, and they didnt last very long as they dented easily. The first composites came out in the mid 80s. More to the point, there was no one 40 feet away from the pitcher with anything that even remotely had the performance of a RT or the early 2000 - 2004 composites.

Like I said, I get that its a choice. What I dont understand is the resistance when there is no downside when there are masks like the Rip-It available.

[Sftbll4ever]

You know what?? I think I still have my black max in the garage from when I played HS Ball back in the 80's!!!

[AE27]

I'll bet the Baylor catcher wishes she would have been wearing a mask while batting. I know it is a decison that each individual kid, or parent, must make, but it makes sense to me to wear it if you are allowed to. That goes for pitchers, third and first basemen too!!

[OneTeamOneDream!]

I agree as well. Line drives can be very dangerous. First base, third base, and the pitchers should wear them. I find it safe when I go and see some teams, that have the whole infield wearing the masks. We need to keep our players safe!

[MavFan]

I'll bet the Baylor catcher wishes she would have been wearing a mask while batting. I know it is a decison that each individual kid, or parent, must make, but it makes sense to me to wear it if you are allowed to. That goes for pitchers, third and first basemen too!!

I agree I bet she does wish she had one on. However when USA softball players, who are also current D1 hittiing coaches (Stacy Nuveman), say things like I didn't like wearing a mask, and tells her players to "toughen up" if they are wearing a cage. It is kind of an uphill battle.

If Nuveman is saying this in public, how many are saying things in private to their players.

[Bring it]

I'll bet the Baylor catcher wishes she would have been wearing a mask while batting. I know it is a decison that each individual kid, or parent, must make, but it makes sense to me to wear it if you are allowed to. That goes for pitchers, third and first basemen too!!

I agree I bet she does wish she had one on. However when USA softball players, who are also current D1 hittiing coaches (Stacy Nuveman), say things like I didn't like wearing a mask, and tells her players to "toughen up" if they are wearing a cage. It is kind of an uphill battle.

If Nuveman is saying this in public, how many are saying things in private to their players.

Sounds like a comment based on brain damage from being hit in the head to many times as a player!

http://deadspin.com/5806584/watch-baylo ... o-her-face

[fattazzdaddycoach]

When I saw the Baylor girl go down, I thought immediately back to the Baylor Coaching Clinic earlier this year. Someone asked Coach Moore if he had a negative view of a girl that wore a mask and he answered yes, they were talking about the fielding masks but it's the same principle...