Catcher gear rules

Federation rules require ear protection. I am not aware of any HS rules that allow skullcap and mask.

You may be able to request a waiver

Bear, how does one go about getting a waiver ?

Assume you are in MC, it used to be Duke Beattie.
Beattie, William - Dir Systemwide Athletics, Athletics Unit 301-279-3144

Athletics Office

Carver Educational Service Center
850 Hungerford Road
Room 200
Rockville, Maryland 20850
(301) 279-3144
(301) 279-3104 Fax

Director, System-wide Athletics- Dr. William G. Beattie
Athletics Specialist - Gaby von Nordheim
Athletics Secretary - Robin McCue
Athletics Secretary - Emily Russ


Maybe also ask thru Ned Sparks MPSSAA office in Balt.

MPSSAA
200 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201

athletics@mpssaa.org
Fax: 410-333-3111

Office Hours:
Monday-Friday: 7:30 am – 4:30 pm

Good Luck

Bear, Thanks for the info. We are in AA county, and MIAA conference. I will try your contacts though. Thanks again.

Official NFHS Rule
Rule 1 Section 5 Player Equipment
Article 3 The catcher shall wear, in addition to a head protector, a mask with a throat protector, body protector, protective cup (male only), and baseball protective shin guards
Article 4 The catcher's helmet and mask combination shall meet the NOCSAE standard. Any helmet or helmet and mask comination shall have full ear protection (dual ear flaps). A throat protector, which is either a part of or attached to the catcher's mask, is mandatory. A throat protector shall adeuately cover the throat. The commercially manufactured catcher's head, face, and throat protection may be one-piece or multi-piece desgin. While in a crouch position, any non-adult warming up a pitcher at any location shall wear a head protector, a mask with a throat protector and a protective cup (male only).

So the rule would be as long as the ears are covered it is ok.

Major League rules which the MIAA play by:
Rule 1.16 D All catchers shall wear a catcher's protective helmet, while fielding their position.

So I am not sure where the whole must be hockey style mask is coming from with the umpires.

Soxfan, I was just reviewing the NFHS rules, and my interpretation of the ear flaps are met by the mask. Most modern masks and my son's included have the cage protruding out at both ears (ie ear flaps).

Yesterday afternoon my son started the game with traditional mask and skullcap. He played a full ining with it. The second ining the field judge stopped the game an had him change to a hockey style helmet. So there isn't uniformity amongst the umpires on the same field even.

It is somewhat problematic for my son, to have to switch to a system which impedes his vision more. Also his field is situated so that he looks into the falling sun, so we added a sun shield to his mask.

It seems like the umpires differ on their interpretation of the rules. Maybe their is a HS umpire out there that would like to weigh in on this subject. It would appear as the rules allow a mask and skullcap, but it is more of one interpretation of those rules, that is the problem.

Actually the hockey Style mask provides a greater field of vision that the traditional mask due to the fact it is harder to flip off. Plus it also has the benefit of greater protection as was mentioned earlier.