New MLB Batting Helmets

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl...b&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

This one from the above article doesn't look quite so bad

Sounds like they are only confident up to 100 mph??? Last I checked, there are one or two guys at least who can throw that hard. I'll never forget the time Goose Gossage plunked someone in the head and I believe it was Ron Cey.

Baseball has some goofy decision makers imho who border on the politically correct. After Mike Coolbaugh was killed, they ordered all base coaches to wear helmets. Coolbaugh was killed when he was hit in the neck unfortunately.

As to the new helmets, I was unaware there was a concussion problem in baseball.

As a father who's son has been hit in the dome more than once by irratic pitching, improved head protection is welcomed.

Now they need to do something for protection of pitcher's faces and head!

Or team helmets...

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Here ya' go Midlo!



"Honey...I kinda' shrunk the baseball players a little bit."



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quote:

Originally posted by Homerun04:
As a father who's son has been hit in the dome more than once by irratic pitching, improved head protection is welcomed.

I feel the same way but I was unaware there was a problem. Has your son been injured?

My son has been hit in the head more times than I can remember. He has never suffered an injury or even complained afterwards even though some of the hits were direct blows to the top or side of the head. I don't think my son has ever been hit with a mid-90's pitch however so from that aspect, I don't really know.

I thought helmet technology had been perfected years ago? If it has not, then I can see the need to make the change.

Also, I am uncomfortable of them saying they are only confident up to 100 mph. The equipment should be designed to withstand more than it might ever see in real life. Although rare, 100 mph is possible. Anybody remember Jason Neiborgal? I am sure there are other examples in the minors like none other than Steven Strassberg.

Watching David Wright the other night get hit by Cain, it certainly was pretty timely.

He used to have one of the Rawlings 90mph helmets in high school. When he got into college and was provided a helmet from the school, it did not appear to provide the same amount of protection.

With all the head injury stories (not just baseball) over the last few years fresh on everyone's mind, one of the pitchers, who is now in the minors threw a fastball that knocked him silly, he had lingering discomfort for some time.

On the up side, now David Wright can get a perm set while he's up at the plate!

I think this is a much safer approach

A little known fact... Unbelieavably MLB helmets and all other helmets are built to handle only 65 mph. The new Rawlings helmets are designed to handle 100 mph. They are a little bigger and heavier, but much much safer.

I think they will become mandatory and should be. In fact, we have heard that the new helmet will be mandatory in Minor League baseball next year.

quote:

Unbelieavably MLB helmets and all other helmets are built to handle only 65 mph.

Surprised to hear there have not been more injuries due to broken helmets then (anybody out there recall any). I am not sure I recall a player being seriously injured because his helmet broke. Many of the helmet injuries I seem to recall were the kind where the ball hit on the edge between the helmet and the head.

I wonder what these specifications ultimately mean. For example, is 65 mph an absolute worst case specification? e.g., when the weather outside is in the 30's such as often the case in the spring time in the north east I would expect the plastic to be more brittle. It's possible that if 65 mph is worst case, that the helmets are typically much stronger than that e.g., withstand 130 mph.

I'm not sure exactly how this works. I think the helmets rated at 65 mph means they could handle much more than that, but 65 mph is the listed standard (though I've never seen it listed anywhere)

It might be an insurance liability issue. Anyway, the new Rawlings helmets are designed to handle 100 mph, which means they could handle even higher velocity impact.

No matter what this is a giant improvement in safety. During the testing some MLB players said they wouldn't want the safer helmet. Bigger, heavier, ect.

Years ago they didn't use helmets. Then they went to scull caps that fit inside of caps. Then they went to hard helmets. Then they went to ear flaps. Players didn't like any of these changes. Suppose it was due to the comfort level they were used to. However, times change! This change is a great advancement and players will get used to it. I hope every organization involved in baseball makes this new technology mandatory. It might save a lot of serious injuries and maybe even a life or two. To me it's a no brainer!

I'd bet these new helmets will eventually get smaller and less bulkier as the technology improves. I'm also all for stronger helmets. Son got a pretty hard clocking this summer.

If any of you watch the clip of Dempster wearing the new helmet, you'll see why this helmet is so much bigger. The current helmets have two or three rather small pads inside. The new helmets are fully padded.

I've heard these will be required in Minor League Baseball next year so expect to see them in Major League Baseball increasily more starting next year as well. The players will adjust

The biggest issue is of course the cost of the helmet. I believe a model for high school ball is something like $80! I don't see too many high schools having the money to buy 10-15 of those...

I'm in favor though..

quote:

Originally posted by PGStaff:
I think the helmets rated at 65 mph means they could handle much more than that,

So that's 65mph from 60'6"? What about a 65 mph fastball from 46' at the LLWS? If that equates to a 92 mph fastball then do the helmets still protect the batter?

Where's Orel Herscheiser when we need him?

quote:

Originally posted by biggerpapi:

quote:

Originally posted by PGStaff:
I think the helmets rated at 65 mph means they could handle much more than that,

So that's 65mph from 60'6"? What about a 65 mph fastball from 46' at the LLWS? If that equates to a 92 mph fastball then do the helmets still protect the batter?

Where's Orel Herscheiser when we need him?

I am sure you realize 65 mph is 65 mph, it is reaction time which is effected ie as if it were 92mph.

The need for more than 65 mph protection is actually very rare. When the player flinches away from a ball at his head, between his velocity moving away and the angle set up when he does that (anyone here remember covering vectors in physics class), it's not often you'll catch 95 mph flush on.

But, there are always exceptions.

As for helmets breaking, that would actually help prevent injuries, not add to them. The force of the ball gets disbursed as the helmet ruptures. That is energy that doesn't go to the player's head. Kind of like the unibody crumple zones in modern cars. You'd be at maximum risk with a rigid, tight helmet that held its form.

That goes for a certain other item of protective gear too, as any catcher can tell you! (Do we need bigger models of those for better protection, too? Hey Woody, get me a picture of THAT!)

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quote:

Originally posted by Midlo Dad:
That goes for a certain other item of protective gear too, as any catcher can tell you! (Do we need bigger models of those for better protection, too? Hey Woody, get me a picture of THAT!)

Click here to take a look.

As Seen Before On HSBBWeb TV!

It'll make you flinch!

I really can't imagine any other video that would address your concern better Midlo.

I'm thinking about buying an XL "Mongo" to replace the wimpy sun shade umbrella over our backyard patio table.




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I'm sure this guy would appreciate one of those too: