[Elaine "Lady Blue"]

Guys with the 2 stitch---
These hats in ASA have not been legal for years!! Our UIC would string us up if he caught us wearing one. Besides, they looked retarded!!! Give them up, wear a combo.

I wear only combo hats and I only do Fastpitch. I buy all my hats in person as they vary. I call my plate hats-the headache hats, as I wear 1/8 to 1/4 smaller on the plate. You should have no trouble keeping on your hat if you have one of the experienced fastpitch fellows adjust your straps on your mask for you the first time. (I did, tremendous help) Then, you need to practice pulling the mask out and up in 1 continous motion with your LEFT hand.
Use only the wide heel to toe stance, it's easier on your back!! Start walking now and do other low impact exercises for your knees, or after your first game on the plate, you
could be a little wobbly.

Soon, the old Elbecos will no longer be available as new, so
get use to the knit (and oh my god they're hotter) shirts. I personally don't like the new shirts as I enjoyed the starched and military pressed look for tournaments.

Yes, old Lady Blue is a little large. I wear an Xl on the
bases and an XXL for the plate.

Good luck and welcome to the Fastpitch world. Slowpitch will bore you to death once you've become aclimated to the
Fast!