Quote:
Originally posted by EugeneCoug
Our team's softball helmets were custom painted by the manufacturer, Riddell, using the very same paint that it uses for FOOTBALL HELMETS. Apparently, the "mysterious chemical reaction weakens the helmet" theory doesn't prevent virtually every football team in America from having their helmets painted. Yet the myth persists in softball. And will survive this thread.
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It is not a myth, but obviously there exists paint that will NOT damage the integrity of the helmet. Factory approved paint would fall in this category. I would guess that MOST paint will not damage the helmet, but certain ones will. The chemically react with the polymers in the helmet shell. For this reason, the manufacturer voids the warranty (as said earlier) if an unauthorized shop repaints the helmet.
Be that as it may, I don't think this is something the umpires should be involved with (and therefore it is not something the rule books should concern themselves with). It should remain between the consumer and the manufacturer.
"Having their helmets painted" - I would assume if a school is doing this, they have the good sense to have it done by a reputable shop who knows what type of paint to use. Football players usually do not have their parents individually paint (or have painted) their helmets, so the analogy doesn't hold up. It is mainly an issue of "doing it right." The last time I checked, each of the helmet manufacturers provide information on how to go about getting their helmets properly painted.