Concussions and catching...being studied

That's a great article. Perhaps the padding is a bit different in a hockey-style mask. Padding has been ID'd as a big part of changing football helmet safety research.

quote:

Originally posted by infielddad:
Today's SF Chronicle has an informative article on Mike Matheny, catching and concussions. I was really surprised to read him say that he never truly felt good during any season...and thought that was normal. Also, the story notes the sound difference with the new masks vs traditional but does not follow what that might mean.
If you are a catcher or parent of one, this article has important new information.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/04/SPGQSNUKMU1.DTL

Here's the relevant quote...

First, Conte and the rest of the team's medical staff set out to compare the hockey-style catcher's mask, which Matheny wore, and the more conventional version, a batter's helmet with a face mask over the top. When they talked to catchers, the older mask received stronger support, and respondents said they considered the hockey masks less safe.

This is really interesting.

I like the newer, hockey-style masks because they are easier to get off and seem to offer better protection from a wrap-around swing to the head. However, it seems the much bigger threat is the ball, and the old-style masks are extremely padded to handle this kind of collision. I wonder if the metal caging helps to make a difference.

It may be that the Rawlings Ai1 style is best because you get the frontal protection and the wrap-around protection (since the helmet is also padded).

All I know is that I had at least 5 serious concussions in high school football - (and probably a few more in boxing) and it affected me.

Just read my posts - and you will believe.

LOL

I've read elsewhere the hockey-style masks are supposed to be safer because it is said that they deflect the force of the ball rather than absorbing all of it like the 2-piece. This article seems to disagree.

Actually, bulldog, the article said that the Giants testing indicated both models did an equally good job of blunting the impact, but that the hocky style masks sound very loud when hit.

I hope that Matheny's retirement will encourage some of the companies that manufacture the masks to come up with models that better protect catchers. Riddell has done an excellent job with their Revolution Helmets in better protecting football players from concussions. We need something along these same lines for baseball, it appears. This article gave me an idea for my own son. I just purchased a new set of electronic ear plugs for him, to protect his hearing when shooting. I'm going to have him try them under his catchers mask and see what he thinks. I'll be particularly interested in seeing if he can wear them under the mask, since they enhance your ability to hear, but block noises over 90db.

Sad to see Matheny have to retire for this reason. He's been one of our favorites, and one of the best defensive catchers in quite a while.