Catcher's removing her helmet- driving me crazy!

[radness]

How about this

Could measure the diameter of a person's head and try to order the size of a helmet that should fit that diameter. But it doesn't mean it will fit well or comfortably or hold the mask in a good position.

Really have to try on different manufacturer and size helmet/ mask combinations to see what works best.

Not everybody gets to do that. Sometimes have to work with what you have.

* not being argumentative trying to offer tips to make the equipment fit best and be safe.

 

[Eric F]

My 10u DD has been instructed by her coach on pop-ups behind the plate, to always get the helmet off, and I am fine with that. But when the ball is in play, where there could ultimately be a play at the plate, she keeps it on. The helmet she has now (Jen Schro VB) does not affect her ability to make a catch and apply a tag at the plate - she says it is comfortable and that she has good field of vision. I do not want a collision at the plate without the helmet, and we all know that can happen and how it can end.

Is your DD absolutely sure when the ball is in foul territory and when it's not? Let's say there's a pop-up pretty much straight up, and she pulls off her helmet the way her coach told her to, but spin/wind draws it - and her - into fair territory. Maybe she doesn't make a clean catch, the ball gets away from her, and the runner at 3B takes off for home. Does she have time to find her helmet and put it back on for a play at the plate?

Let's say it's a pop-up that is heading towards the fence, and she's on a full run to get to it. Metal poles and chain link fencing aren't nearly as kind as the padded walls of top-level college fields...


The most critical moment is reading the trajectory of the ball off the bat. The helmet is on for that. Leave it on.

 

[heymousey]

There was a no mask third baseman in the Big West Conference who lost teeth from getting smacked in the face. They actually had to delay the game to look for teeth in the dirt.
She has recovered.

The game against UCSD? It was awful. Absolutely awful. They raked the area and were down on their knees looking through the dirt. I’m so happy to hear she recovered.

 

[radness]

The game against UCSD? It was awful. Absolutely awful. They raked the area and were down on their knees looking through the dirt. I’m so happy to hear she recovered.

Yes. think that was the beginning of the season to.

 

[erniekru]

✔

Could be, but not necessarily. There are a lot of people who coach who never caught. And they may be mimicking what they saw.
To your comment that's why I say to people who have never worn the new fitted style helmets and catcher's mask to try them on for themselves so they can experience what it's like to have that removed if they're trying to get the catcher to do so.
Because they are so fitted around the back of the skull imo they are on built that way to stay on.


Not certain about what the phrase loose actually means because I think that is a personal preference for people's comfortability and fit in it.
That feedback is from many catchers over the years.

Could say be able to get a finger in between the helmet and head as a reference,
but the way helmets fit especially with hair it's going to be different for everybody. Head shape and helmet shape arent the same and that's why some catchers prefer certain helmet mask combos than others.

Hmm, I'm thinking we have a bit of a terminology difference..
(my terms)
This is a mask



This is a helmet


I've never caught in a mask, but I've umpired a lot in them and have asked former players on how to fit them. The best practice is to have the mask loose-ish so that when a foul ball hits you, the mask will move to dissipate energy. (However, you've actually worn the thing as intended so I'm just a pretender!) This is why I believe it is beneficial to chuck the mask as it was probably going to fall off if you suddenly move or run. Tons of videos showing the mask twisted off the side of a MLB players face on a throwdown to 2B showing how loose they are.

Helmets are designed to be snug. Obviously not migraine inducing tight, but they should absolutely not move around even during running or fast movement (DD has run lots and lots of foul poles in her catchers gear, no movement).

I would guess that catchers who like to toss their *helmets* tend to run them with a looser fit as I feel like it would be really difficult to pull of a properly snug helmet in a rush situation without getting your nose or face caught in the doffing process (ha, haven't used that word in a long while).

Anyway, semantics. Catchers need to do what they want to, I was just trying to detail my believe system in leaving the helmet on at all times.

 

[UncleUmp]

My DD was exposed to Covid, so to be cautious and avoid getting any of the team sick a week before Zoom Into June, she is skipping the tourney this weekend. We are trying to watch the game on GameChanger. The catcher on the other team is removing her helmet every time a ball is hit, even a foul ball. It is driving me crazy! Making the game unwatchable for me!

At least she isn't throwing it straight back into the plate umpire's chest.

 

[heymousey]

Yes. think that was the beginning of the season to.

It was. We also had a UCSD player that was injured in that series while running through first base. She was out for the rest of the season. All of it was horrible. But like I’ve read on here, more girls at third are at least wearing a mouth guard. I think it was hard for everyone to see.

 

[Eric F]

Hmm, I'm thinking we have a bit of a terminology difference..
(my terms)
This is a mask

View attachment 25808

This is a helmet
View attachment 25809

I've never caught in a mask, but I've umpired a lot in them and have asked former players on how to fit them. The best practice is to have the mask loose-ish so that when a foul ball hits you, the mask will move to dissipate energy. (However, you've actually worn the thing as intended so I'm just a pretender!) This is why I believe it is beneficial to chuck the mask as it was probably going to fall off if you suddenly move or run. Tons of videos showing the mask twisted off the side of a MLB players face on a throwdown to 2B showing how loose they are.

Helmets are designed to be snug. Obviously not migraine inducing tight, but they should absolutely not move around even during running or fast movement (DD has run lots and lots of foul poles in her catchers gear, no movement).

I would guess that catchers who like to toss their *helmets* tend to run them with a looser fit as I feel like it would be really difficult to pull of a properly snug helmet in a rush situation without getting your nose or face caught in the doffing process (ha, haven't used that word in a long while).

Anyway, semantics. Catchers need to do what they want to, I was just trying to detail my believe system in leaving the helmet on at all times.

Accurate.

Another thing to note...Only the hockey-style helmet is NOCSAE approved. Because of this, you won't see masks in softball.

 

[radness]

Hmm, I'm thinking we have a bit of a terminology difference..
(my terms)
This is a mask

View attachment 25808

This is a helmet
View attachment 25809

I've never caught in a mask, but I've umpired a lot in them and have asked former players on how to fit them. The best practice is to have the mask loose-ish so that when a foul ball hits you, the mask will move to dissipate energy. (However, you've actually worn the thing as intended so I'm just a pretender!) This is why I believe it is beneficial to chuck the mask as it was probably going to fall off if you suddenly move or run. Tons of videos showing the mask twisted off the side of a MLB players face on a throwdown to 2B showing how loose they are.

Helmets are designed to be snug. Obviously not migraine inducing tight, but they should absolutely not move around even during running or fast movement (DD has run lots and lots of foul poles in her catchers gear, no movement).

I would guess that catchers who like to toss their *helmets* tend to run them with a looser fit as I feel like it would be really difficult to pull of a properly snug helmet in a rush situation without getting your nose or face caught in the doffing process (ha, haven't used that word in a long while).

Anyway, semantics. Catchers need to do what they want to, I was just trying to detail my believe system in leaving the helmet on at all times.

Absolutely if it's not a problem leave it on!
Good idea to post an image
Was calling it helmet/mask because they are all in one but have separate issues that can happen.

Because of the size and shape of the head that the mask that's affixed to it may not have a good view for different people.

The helmet may fit, but the mask might be in the wrong place.
or
Might like the mask, but the helmet is uncomfortable.

Got to find the
( manufacturer)that works
and sometimes adding padding can help a lot.

 

[SoftballDadnWV]

Is your DD absolutely sure when the ball is in foul territory and when it's not? Let's say there's a pop-up pretty much straight up, and she pulls off her helmet the way her coach told her to, but spin/wind draws it - and her - into fair territory. Maybe she doesn't make a clean catch, the ball gets away from her, and the runner at 3B takes off for home. Does she have time to find her helmet and put it back on for a play at the plate?

Let's say it's a pop-up that is heading towards the fence, and she's on a full run to get to it. Metal poles and chain link fencing aren't nearly as kind as the padded walls of top-level college fields...


The most critical moment is reading the trajectory of the ball off the bat. The helmet is on for that. Leave it on.

Good point on the fencing. I was thinking collision at the plate, not fencing. I do prefer it to stay on all the time.

To be honest, thinking about her two tournaments thus far this year, I don't think I have seen her with her helmet off during play. So either there have not been many pop-ups behind the plate (the ones I remember were bang bang plays trying to dive for the foul ball-no time to take off the helmet) or the coach has decided not to press the issue.