2009 ASA Rool buks

[BretMan]

Just flipping through my shiny new book...

(Page 168- Safety Awareness Guide) Catcher Masks and Throat Protectors for Juniour Olympic Fast Pitch: Catcher's must wear an approved batter's helmet with ear flaps, the catcher's helmet and mask, or an approved plastic face mask/guard with catcher's helmet. A throat protector for Junior Olympic fast pitch catchers is mandatory.

WTF? Compare that with the equipment rule covering catcher's gear found under rule 3.

"An approved batter's helmet" is something altogether different than a "catcher's helmet"- either the kind made to have a conventional mask attached or the hockey-style helmets.

"An approved batter's helmet" is one with an approved NOCSAE facemask permanently attached and a chin strap.

Can a catcher wear a batting helmet with a face mask instead of the usual catcher's headgear? Where do you properly attach a throat protector to that? Does the catcher need to wear a conventional mask over top of the batting helmet face mask?

"An approved plastic face mask/guard"- isn't that the "Game Face" style of face protector described under rule 3 as the kind that "any defensive player" can wear?

Can the Game Face-type mask (like the ones worn by pitchers) be a suitable replacement for a conventional catcher's mask?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by BretMan

Just flipping through my shiny new book...

(Page 168- Safety Awareness Guide) Catcher Masks and Throat Protectors for Juniour Olympic Fast Pitch: Catcher's must wear an approved batter's helmet with ear flaps, the catcher's helmet and mask, or an approved plastic face mask/guard with catcher's helmet. A throat protector for Junior Olympic fast pitch catchers is mandatory.

WTF? Compare that with the equipment rule covering catcher's gear found under rule 3.

"An approved batter's helmet" is something altogether different than a "catcher's helmet"- either the kind made to have a conventional mask attached or the hockey-style helmets.

"An approved batter's helmet" is one with an approved NOCSAE facemask permanently attached and a chin strap.

Can a catcher wear a batting helmet with a face mask instead of the usual catcher's headgear? Where do you properly attach a throat protector to that? Does the catcher need to wear a conventional mask over top of the batting helmet face mask?

"An approved plastic face mask/guard"- isn't that the "Game Face" style of face protector described under rule 3 as the kind that "any defensive player" can wear?

Can the Game Face-type mask (like the ones worn by pitchers) be a suitable replacement for a conventional catcher's mask?

Keep reading.

[BretMan]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Keep reading.

Keep reading because I'll eventually find something that explains this, or keep reading because I'll find even more confusing directives in the Safety Guide?

Just trying to narrow it down- there's, like, 290 more pages of stuff to read!

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by BretMan

Keep reading because I'll eventually find something that explains this, or keep reading because I'll find even more confusing directives in the Safety Guide?

Just trying to narrow it down- there's, like, 290 more pages of stuff to read!

Rule 3.5.D

[BretMan]

Of course, I had already read the actual rule and suspected that's where you were pointing me.

The rule says that a catcher "cannot merely wear the plastic face mask/guard". Doesn't that mean wear it alone, minus other proctective headgear required by the rule?

The SAG (we have a new acronym, and it's not the Screen Actors Guild) says that a plastic face mask/guard may be worn with a catcher's helmet.

Which brings me back to one of my original questions: Is the plastic face mask/guard a suitable replacement for the standard catcher's mask? (Note that I didn't say, "For the standard mask AND the helmet".)

My bigger question: Why does the Safety Guide offer guidelines that are so contradictary to the existing rules?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by BretMan

Of course, I had already read the actual rule and suspected that's where you were pointing me.

The rule says that a catcher "cannot merely wear the plastic face mask/guard". Doesn't that mean wear it alone, minus other proctective headgear required by the rule?

The SAG (we have a new acronym, and it's not the Screen Actors Guild) says that a plastic face mask/guard may be worn with a catcher's helmet.

Which brings me back to one of my original questions: Is the plastic face mask/guard a suitable replacement for the standard catcher's mask? (Note that I didn't say, "For the standard mask AND the helmet".)

My bigger question: Why does the Safety Guide offer guidelines that are so contradictary to the existing rules?

I must be missing your point because I don't see the contradiction.

TTBOMK, the Game Face or similar products to not carry NOCSAE-approval stamps, therefore would not be considered "approved".

Personally, this is one reason I think putting the SAG in the rule book is going to cause more issues in the future than it will provide resolution. IOW, I think it isn't too smart. Then again, I think it is stupid that manufacturers are required to put ludicrous safety warnings on their products. If someone needs to be told not to operate an electric saw while standing in a swimming pool filled with water, the world may be better off without them.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

I must be missing your point because I don't see the contradiction.

I don't have my 2009 book yet, so I'm relying on the quote Bretman posted above, and contrasting it with the 2007 book (which I have as a PDF). Sentences in the two quotes of the same color are directly contradictory. The saving grace is very few people will actually read the SAG.

Originally Posted by BretMan

(Page 168- Safety Awareness Guide) Catcher Masks and Throat Protectors for Juniour Olympic Fast Pitch: Catcher's must wear an approved batter's helmet with ear flaps, the catcher's helmet and mask, or an approved plastic face mask/guard with catcher's helmet. A throat protector for Junior Olympic fast pitch catchers is mandatory.

Originally Posted by ASA 2007 Rules

C. CATCHER MASKS: (Junior Olympic Fast Pitch) Catchers must wear a mask with throat protector, approved helmet with ear flaps, shin guards which offer protection to the knee caps and body protector. An extended wire protector may be worn in lieu of an attached throat protector. Any player warming up a Junior Olympic pitcher must wear a mask with throat protector and approved helmet with ear flaps. FP catchers cannot wear the plastic face mask/guard.
NOTE: (Sections A-B-C) The ice hockey goalie style face mask is approved for use by catchers. If the umpire feels that there is not adequate throat protection built onto the mask, a throat attachment must be added to the mask before using.

D. FACE MASK/GUARDS. Any defensive player or offensive player may wear a face mask/guard.
EXCEPTION: Fast pitch catchers cannot wear the plastic face mask/guard. Face masks/guards that are cracked or deformed, or if padding has deteriorated or is missing, are prohibited.