The Numbers Are In . . .

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Kevin Finnerty

You are kidding, right? Sorry to be so complex.

That's the problem--you weren't complex. You simply cannot back up the hypothesis that HSMs are safer by using one person's experiences with them in relation to other similar experiences, especially when all the data is qualitative and is also the product of the experimenter.

The only thing that will show any differences between HSMs and traditional masks is longitudinal study--of which professional baseball has started. The fact of the matter is that injuries are so relatively rare that to develop a usable amount of data is going to take time (a point which has already been made.) The study needs to be longitudinal because these injuries have so many contributing factors that the style of protection may not be the main cause of the injury, and the more data that is collected, the more the trends can be evaluated.

[Kevin Finnerty]

We dropped a pre-1976 Spalding National League baseball and a post-1976 Rawlings National League rabbit ball off of the roof of a Century City skyscraper on a semi-deserted Sunday in 78, and the rabbit ball bounced almost an entire floor higher than the Spalding, proving scientifically that the ball was indeed juiced like the players were saying. (College experiments got way more dangerous than that.)

But in terms of overall protection, the HSM is more protective than a mask. In terms of shock absorbing, the very lightweight Wilson Titanium Shock Effects helmet is the softest blow I have ever taken to the middle of the grill by a baseball. Non-scientific, and just one man's opinion, but what is it based on, but some facts and some opinions? Helmet equals more protection, which is a fact, whether you think it's necessary or not. Ask Kerwin Danley. Mask is lighter, easier to handle and looks better in my opinion. But the Wilson is the best blow absorber by a good measure than even the best mask. Also my opinion as anyone can deduce by reading my message. The contention that Mike Metheney had to retire from concussions even though he wore a HSM was a pretty silly contention, but it went right by. A mask being safer than a HSM is also a silly contention.