Players standing in the dugout openings

[Big Slick]

Originally Posted by Mountaincoach

The sad thing is anyone with common sense realizes the facemasks are a very good thing,...,The umpires should not be required to police it ever until hard rules are established, and we can't wait until a kid gets killed before the organizations do the right thing.

There, I fixed it for you.

There are risks, and we can't prevent everything, including the low probability occurrence. Yes, you saw two cases, one without a mask and one with a mask. If the parent/coach/player thinks it's a good idea, then wear a mask -- heck, wear a catcher's mask when you pitch (I also work slow pitch, and this is becoming common). But don't involve the umpire, don't make it mandatory. I don't want to check facemask and look for a disappearing NOSCAE sticker.

I also don't want some rule maker making a rule they don't have to enforce, or is just "for show". For example, Manny mentioned the LL attached throat guard, which is added to a mask with a built in throat guard! That tells me the rule makers are out of touch with the equipment and the game.

[Mountaincoach]

Originally Posted by Big Slick

But don't involve the umpire, don't make it mandatory. I don't want to check facemask and look for a disappearing NOSCAE sticker.

Nobody "wants" to check equipment, but you will if a mandatory rule is ever passed requiring the masks. Don't get me wrong, I see it the same way you do--coaches, schools, and parents should be the ones responsible for the safety of the players on the field. But, for whatever reason, somebody laid the responsibility of equipment inspections on the umpires a long time ago. And, if facemasks become a requirement by rule, they'll make you guys inspect those too. Is it fair to the umpires?--No. Does it spread even more possible liability onto the umpires?--Yes. But that's the world we live in nowadays.

And yes, the throat guard requirement by Little League is almost laughable nowadays. My team participated in a tournament once that was using Little League rules. My catcher had a modern mask with a built-in throat guard that literally touched her chest guard already. The umpire asked me to get a hanging throat guard before the game started. I didn't argue. I just found one and attached it to the helmet. And the throat guard protected the front of the chest guard very well throughout the tournament.

[CecilOne]

After a scary one in the throat, another in the side of my neck, and a third on the top edge of my chest guard, I added a dangling throat protector.
Not direct shots, ricochets off catcher.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by Mountaincoach

. My catcher had a modern mask with a built-in throat guard that literally touched her chest guard already. .

The requirement is there because too many catchers raise their heads instead of tucking - exposing the throat. The dangler swings into place when they raise their heads, protecting the throat.