Face masks?

[Dakota]

Just a point about those objecting to government involvement, etc.

This rule was put in place by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association, not the state legislature or any other agency of the Kentucky state government.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Just a point about those objecting to government involvement, etc.

This rule was put in place by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association, not the state legislature or any other agency of the Kentucky state government.

According the the news reports out of KY, there was already legislation in the works.

[IRISHMAFIA]

For those who do not remember, we went through the same thing with the masks for the batting helmets.

It took over 18 months prior to the rule actually taking effect. The rule (ASA) was initiated prior to a NOCSAE testing, probationary period to be completed after a standard being set after ASTM.

The serious parents and coaches went out an purchased whatever they thought would work and yes, there were some garage-developed pieces created and jury-rigged to fit their helmets.

In 2006, when the rule went into effect (requiring the separate NOCSAE certification, the coaches and parents were beside themselves when helmet were turned down as acceptable. Fortunately, what at that time was one of the largest Walmarts in the country was 5-10 minutes away and from what I understand, sold out what masks they had.

They all knew the rule, but could not understand why whatever they put on their DD's helmet wasn't acceptable since it was ..........are you ready for this?......I know you have heard it before.......here it is......ALLOWED AT HOME and all the other tournaments they played that year.

This was a 16U A National, but their confusion was understandable considering the other questions I fielded concerning what they were allow to get away with that season which included using an EH, 2 DPs (know idea how that worked), must slide rules and Steve M's favorite, a no jewelry rule.

Should USA Softball follow suite with the pitchers, assuming they hold to the same legal liability beliefs as in the past, we may see this whole scenario repeated.

[SWFLguy]

Retired ump here. I'm a bit surprised that NOCSAE standards haven't been implemented by now.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by SWFLguy

Retired ump here. I'm a bit surprised that NOCSAE standards haven't been implemented by now.

NOCSAE doesn't provide the standards, ASTM develops the standards based upon what the equipment needs to accomplish/provide.

NOCSAE certifies the equipment offered meets those standards.

And none of this is done on a lark or gratis.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

NOCSAE doesn't provide the standards, ASTM develops the standards based upon what the equipment needs to accomplish/provide.

NOCSAE certifies the equipment offered meets those standards.

And none of this is done on a lark or gratis.

IOW, it won't happen until someone pays for it!

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

According the the news reports out of KY, there was already legislation in the works.

I wouldn't doubt it. I was just being pedantic.

I agree with your views on this, BTW.

I am a bit mystified as to how they could put this in place without any standards at all. I'd like to see the actual rule rather than a press release describing it.

[RKBUmp]

This is the most information I can find directly from the KHSAA website.

A specific model or brand was not specified, but all face protection equipment must to be worn as intended by the manufacturer in order to comply with NFHS rules.

If that is all the wording they are using to specify facial protection a player could literally wear a halloween mask and say it is facial protection. Or as I posted earlier, a grinding faceshield from Home Depot or Lowes. That is also facial protection.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by RKBUmp

This is the most information I can find directly from the KHSAA website.



If that is all the wording they are using to specify facial protection a player could literally wear a halloween mask and say it is facial protection. Or as I posted earlier, a grinding faceshield from Home Depot or Lowes. That is also facial protection.

A welder's mask for the bright, sunny days would be interesting. And don't laugh, I've already seen it by a pitcher and batter in SP

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Just a point about those objecting to government involvement, etc.

This rule was put in place by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association, not the state legislature or any other agency of the Kentucky state government.

I'm having trouble believing you have not posted the Lone Ranger.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Just a point about those objecting to government involvement, etc.

This rule was put in place by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association, not the state legislature or any other agency of the Kentucky state government.

Well, I never said anything about government involvement. What I said was it took a governing body to make this mandatory as opposed to having coaches and parents become more responsible for their kids.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

I started this thread so I thought I should comment further.

I see no problem with mandating a face mask in fact I would vote for such a requirement if I were on the NFHS and NCAA Softball Rules Committees, and the ASA Rules Committee.

BUT, I do believe that before such a mandate is made that ASTM standards developed and NOCSAE testing should have been done. That is the engineering "me" speaking. And I know that MTD, Jr., would agree with me.

MTD, Sr.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

BUT, I do believe that before such a mandate is made that ASTM standards developed and NOCSAE testing should have been done. That is the engineering "me" speaking. And I know that MTD, Jr., would agree with me.

Agree. At the end of the day, we really have no idea how safe the masks currently on the market really are. They may appear to be safe, but who's to know if they truly are. That's probably why no national governing body wants to make them mandatory.

[teebob21]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Agree. At the end of the day, we really have no idea how safe the masks currently on the market really are. They may appear to be safe, but who's to know if they truly are. That's probably why no national governing body wants to make them mandatory.

Funny enough, the first two or three sentences can also be applied to umpire masks.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by teebob21

Funny enough, the first two or three sentences can also be applied to umpire masks.

So-called hockey-style helmets are available and at least some (maybe all?? I've never checked into it) are NOCSAE approved. We are (mostly) adults who can make the choice for a NOCSAE approved helmet if we so choose.