I didn't know that about John, Sam!

I am just getting my gear inventoried and brought out of storage. I would have loved to do fall ball.

That's never been the way I've heard it. ;)

You obviously don't do a lot of softball, hey Tim?

I umpired an 18U Gold National qualifier this summer, doing the plate for the loser's bracket final. There was nothing "little" about those girls.

That said, I do think it's ridiculous to consider making it mandatory for FED baseball infielders to wear masks. That's not even mandatory in girls softball at any level.

But in softball you see some girls wearing face protectors in the infield at almost all ages. I haven't seen any type of head protection at almost any level of baseball other than John Olerud. I hope I spelled his name right.

And he wore it because he had already had a brain aneurysm - not because he was afraid just out of the blue.

NHL went through this a couple of times, first requiring helments for all players, then several years later adding required facemasks.

Once a change is made requiring a head protector of some sort for the pitcher, within a year or two fans/players will be saying "what was the big deal".

A protective headgear for pitchers at all levels will not significantly change the game, but will save a few young men a year (including NFHS/NCAA/Pro) from a life altering injury.

I see no reason to object to protective headgear for pitchers.

Rich, I knew that he wore the protective helmet to protect him from a medical condition. I didn't mean to imply that he was afraid of being hit. The only reason I mentioned him is that is the only player in baseball when in the field that I can think of that wears/wore protective headgear regardless of the reason.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought Olerud needed special dispensation to wear his helmet. Without approval from the league, he would have been in violation of uniform rules and would have been told to don a cap.

So I don't think a pitcher can wear a protective helmet under OBR. I think a rule change would be needed.

What Rule would he have been in violation for?

Rule 1.11 does not currently prohibit the use of a helmet. It only says that "Uniforms" are identical in Color, Style, & Trim.

Rule 1.16 does not say a pitcher or fielder should or should not, only certain players: catchers, batters, runners, and base coaches are required.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought the "identical" in "style" prevented some players from wearing caps while others wore helmets.

:D Mets ad.
 

Helmuts for pitchers :D

I am not a Mets fan but this ad is cool.

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