As recent as a few years ago, there was a negative connotation regarding a mask being a sign of weakness or a lack of confidence especially at the higher travel ball level and at the collegiate level. I believe the perception has changed for those pitchers wearing a mask. I don't see the same negative reaction toward the mask at the pitchers position as there once was. IMHO, the turning point came when Finucane was hit in the face and it was reinforced when Lowery was also hit by a hard line drive. In the last couple years you see Barnhill, Kliest, and several others wearing a mask. I personally don't think today's college coaches regard the mask as a negative for the pitchers.
There used to be a real disparity in ability between girls who wore masks and those who didn't. That disparity no longer exists. It's time for college and travel ball coaches to recognize that safety and talent do not have to be mutually exclusive.
thats the same lacrosse helmet my dd wore, except hers was white. She doesn't wear it now, she wears her mask and carbon fiber inserts in her head band. The helmet was so hot for her to wear in the summer heat. The lacrosse helmet was the first thing I could come up with after her brain surgery to allow her to play again. Found the carbon fiber inserts from a company call SST out of Atlanta, really meant more for baseball. But fit well in the right kind of headband.Pretty sure that in a short time, many slow pitch pitchers will be wearing similar gear:
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Seriously---Who in their right mind would stand in front of Brian Wegman without a full suit of armor?!?!