does anyone know the high school rule on catching mask/headgear? I was told it had to be the hockey style. You can't use the mask helmet combo. Is this true?
Posts: 2 | Location: arkansas | Registered: April 06, 2008
Under NFHS rules you must have a mask/helmet combination headgear that offers protection over both ears. The Hockey style mask is the most popular. There are a few other types that meet the requirement....
However, the traditional mask and skull cap or separate helmet is not legal for NFHS play......
Hope this helps.
Posts: 1914 | Location: Pennsylvania | Registered: January 07, 2003
If the hockey style offers so much more protection, why do most professionals still use the bill and seperate mask? Are there other advantages I am not aware of?
Thanks.
Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is just a hole in Arizona. -George F. Will
Posts: 704 | Location: NY | Registered: August 04, 2005
Creature of habit, Catch43. Also, nobody said that the hockey style provides more protection. PIAA_UMP said it offers protection over the ears. The skull cap and separate mask do not.
There are conflicting reports on which style is safer. Some say that the two-piece provides more protection shock-absorber wise while the hockey style protects the ears and it's easier to keep on and to see with.
It took me a little bit of time to switch to the goalie style, but I preferred it after I did make the switch.
"The Harder You Work, The Harder It is to Surrender"
Posts: 858 | Location: Waterloo, IL--Cape Girardeau, MO | Registered: February 05, 2006
Been thru this. From what I have gathered is that the mask and helmet must be certified as 1 unit along with ear protection,so with the skull cap and mask being 2 pieces even thou both may show they meet the safety requirments they still can not be certified together.
Posts: 37 | Location: jersey shore | Registered: January 16, 2007
Okay, I agree with piaa_ump, but another thing about the gear is safety. If you are not a good catcher you don't know how to block properly which the pros do almost every time. Just be honest with yourself for a minute are you pro quality, can you block a ball perfectly almost on command. I have worn a skull and mask during a legion game and i got side wiped on my temple, my mask got thrown off and it hurt real bad. Not ragging on your ability because I have never seen you play, so just take my advice don't even try
Posts: 3 | Location: Minneapolis | Registered: April 10, 2008
My biggest concern with the hockey style masks is where does all the impact from foul balls go that is a direct blow to the mask? Is all the blow absorbed by the head since it has no where else to go? Is some of the blow deflected away when the two piece mask flys off? Maybe someone has done some scientific study on this & can lend a little knowledge to this. Concussions have become a REAL issues with catchers today!
Posts: 22 | Location: South Jawja | Registered: June 08, 2006
