[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by BretMan

Just flipping through my shiny new book...

(Page 168- Safety Awareness Guide) Catcher Masks and Throat Protectors for Juniour Olympic Fast Pitch: Catcher's must wear an approved batter's helmet with ear flaps, the catcher's helmet and mask, or an approved plastic face mask/guard with catcher's helmet. A throat protector for Junior Olympic fast pitch catchers is mandatory.

WTF? Compare that with the equipment rule covering catcher's gear found under rule 3.

"An approved batter's helmet" is something altogether different than a "catcher's helmet"- either the kind made to have a conventional mask attached or the hockey-style helmets.

"An approved batter's helmet" is one with an approved NOCSAE facemask permanently attached and a chin strap.

Can a catcher wear a batting helmet with a face mask instead of the usual catcher's headgear? Where do you properly attach a throat protector to that? Does the catcher need to wear a conventional mask over top of the batting helmet face mask?

"An approved plastic face mask/guard"- isn't that the "Game Face" style of face protector described under rule 3 as the kind that "any defensive player" can wear?

Can the Game Face-type mask (like the ones worn by pitchers) be a suitable replacement for a conventional catcher's mask?

Keep reading.