When I played a 100 years ago, we had metal cups. Playing in a game in the AABC World Series, Battle Creek, Mich, our SS field a hard line drive with his cup and the sound resonated. At the end of the inning he casually remove the cup and took a wood bat to pound out the “dent”.
the pitchers starred with fear. I could have sold cups for many $$$.
true story.
Bob