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16 replies

Football helmet for catchers

S Scotty835,000+ posts
After my sons 14U baseball practice a couple of us were sitting around talking and the group included both our catchers. Three dads who were college catchers and three more of us that had some catching experience. We were discussing masks and one of the players was commenting on how much he hates the hockey mask. All of us old guys tried one on and all agreed we preferred our old mask and helmet version. He then asked if hockey masks came from another sport why couldn't he wear a helmet from another sport. For example why couldn't he wear his football helmet. He said its way more comfortable, he can see better thru it, and would greatly prefer it to the hockey mask.

I have to say as an ex football player I would prefer the football helmet too. He had it in the car and we got it out and looked at it. The ball didn't fit through the opening and with a long QB mask it would protect as much of the neck as a hockey mask. You would have to worry about taking the mask off. Besides better vision IMO football helmets don't move around on your head (which is what I dislike about all types of baseball masks).  Anyway none of us could think of a reason why not. So I mentioned I had access to quite a few baseball people and I would post the question to see their opinions on it.

So aside from a league or tournament rule. Why couldn't a kid use a football helmet for a catchers mask.
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zombywoofzombywoof1,000+ posts

The game is played with a ball as hard as a rock. What is the ultimate goal here? Instead of all these newfangled ideas, the only way to make the game completely safe is to substitute the baseball with a super pinky ball. Why try to reinvent the wheel. It's a hardball for a reason and in part why only a small percentage can play at the highest level.

coach2709coach270910,000+ posts

I played football and was a catcher.  I don't think I would like to have caught a baseball with my football helmet on.  I truly believe it would have caused my eyes to cross.  But then again I was an offensive lineman that had the bar coming down the middle which caused my eyes to cross quite a bit.........or maybe it was all the hits to the head which caused my eyes to cross.

 

 

S Scotty835,000+ posts
Originally Posted by MidAtlanticDad:

       

Catchers have to be able to get the mask off easily... especially for pop-ups. I can't image trying to find a high pop with a football helmet on... or trying to remove it with one hand.

 

Is your son interested in engineering? Maybe he'll come up with the next break-through design.


       


Oh it wasn't my kid he hates catching haha. I think the helmet removal was the kids point he wouldn't have to remove the football helmet because it has much greater vision and doesn't move around on your head.
S Scotty835,000+ posts
Originally Posted by cabbagedad:

       

I think the main issue is that the design of catcher's helmets are such that they extend down to protect the throat and neck where as football helmets do not.  If they did, I think there would be a weight disadvantage.  JMO.  Interesting question.


       


The weight issue is what I think would make most catchers not like it. This kid on the other hand (and I agree with him) just feels more natural in the football helmet.
S Scotty835,000+ posts
Originally Posted by zombywoof:

       

The game is played with a ball as hard as a rock. What is the ultimate goal here? Instead of all these newfangled ideas, the only way to make the game completely safe is to substitute the baseball with a super pinky ball. Why try to reinvent the wheel. It's a hardball for a reason and in part why only a small percentage can play at the highest level.


       


What? This has nothing to do with safety. Kid just likes wearing a football helmet more than a hockey mask. Same as a catcher liked a hockey mask more than a baseball mask and switched (followed by the rest of baseball). The kid was just asking if he could do the same.
Bulldog 19Bulldog 195,000+ posts
Originally Posted by Scotty83:
Originally Posted by MidAtlanticDad:

       

Catchers have to be able to get the mask off easily... especially for pop-ups. I can't image trying to find a high pop with a football helmet on... or trying to remove it with one hand.

 

Is your son interested in engineering? Maybe he'll come up with the next break-through design.


       


Oh it wasn't my kid he hates catching haha. I think the helmet removal was the kids point he wouldn't have to remove the football helmet because it has much greater vision and doesn't move around on your head.

I seldom removed my hockey-style mask. I had plenty of vision capabilities with it on. 

 

I see this idea as being interesting, but I don't really see it happening in the near future. Too many complications with the suggestion. Weight, mobility, and coverage being just a few concerns that I have..

RJMRJMHSBaseballWeb member since 2007

Maybe a football helmet design could be engineered to be lighter and therefore more comfortable than it would be currently. The facemask would also have to be reengineered to be more durable and handle a foul tip coming directly back. But even then it would be difficult to remove for popups. Therefore, would it be harder to catch a pop?

Bulldog 19Bulldog 195,000+ posts
Originally Posted by Scotty83:

I can't say for sure but the face mask should be stronger. A 250lb linebacker would bring a lot more force than a 5oz ball.

 

While that may make sense, you have to think about that a little more. That small baseball is coming at a greater velocity and is hitting a smaller spot. Can that face mask withstand that? I don't know..

S Scotty835,000+ posts
Originally Posted by Bulldog 19:

       
Originally Posted by Scotty83:

I can't say for sure but the face mask should be stronger. A 250lb linebacker would bring a lot more force than a 5oz ball.

 

While that may make sense, you have to think about that a little more. That small baseball is coming at a greater velocity and is hitting a smaller spot. Can that face mask withstand that? I don't know..


       


Good point. I guess we need to tell the kids dad to put his sons helmet on and let us drill him with some fastballs. Hahaha
C cabbagedadHSBaseballWeb member since 2011
Originally Posted by Scotty83:
...

So aside from a league or tournament rule. Why couldn't a kid use a football helmet for a catchers mask.

So, interesting discussion but when push comes to shove, I'm pretty sure NFHS or any other governing body rules would not allow.  Both are NOCSAE approved but for different purposes.

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