Batting Helmets and Chinstraps
 

Any idea why the NFHS does not require chinstraps on helmets and ASA does? I would think that if the NFHS was concerned about player safety (facemasks), they would have mandated chinstraps as well.

Thoughts?

I thought the ASA rule requiring chin straps (before face guards were required) was silly / overprotective.

I now think the NFHS rule requiring face guards but NOT chin straps is partially false security.

The difference?

The chin strap helps keep the face guard in place, so it will not rise up and allow a foul tip ;) to get in under the mask.

While I agree that a 'properly' fit helmet should not need a chinstrap, I believe the rule was developed to protect those JO players that do not have access to 'properly' fitting helmets. I believe that an unfit helmet with a chinstrap provides more protection than a helmet on the ground between bases.

I agree with your assessment of the facemask/chinstrap relationship.

Uh-huh. I see that! :rolleyes:

The chin strap:

Helps keep the helmet in place, even properly fitted ones,
Insures that the helmet does NO "accidentally" come off during a play, and
Deters players from removing them prematurely.

I vaguely remember from some discussion that the NFHS felt that strangling was more likely than a helmet accidentally coming off and the more restrictive rule reduced the likelihood of premature removal.

You're yanking my chain, aren't you? I can honestly say that I have seen MANY more instances of helmets coming off, than strangulations on the ball fields I have been working. Granted the risk/reward of strangulation vs. helments coming off is not debatable, but don't throw out the baby (chinstraps) with the bathwater (strangulation).

These are obviously the same people who believe that declaring a "no fly" zone over an arena, park, building, etc. will keep a terrorist from dropping a plane on the target.

Go figure!